August Testing & Summer Activities

Powerful kicks and precision form performances displayed the skills of five Stevens Taekwondo Academy students earning black belts at the Stevens Point YMCA recently.

Brother-sister duo Max and Riely Held earned their second-degree black belts, joining their father Mickey Held at that rank, with impressive performances of the keumgang form and advanced kick and sparring techniques. Both Max and Riely powered through two-inch boards cleanly on first efforts with back spinning side kicks.

Bryant Hedrington and Sara Shuler stepped up to full black belt status following their performance of koryo and four taegeuk forms, sparring and kick combinations and an extensive oral exam on taekwondo. Shuler, who was sponsored by Master Jill Reed, broke a board with a back spinning side kick. Hedrington, sponsored by third-degree Hannah Lovejoy, snapped his board with a back spinning hook kick.

Matt Lopez achieved deputy black belt rank with his performance of five taegeuk forms, demonstration of advanced kicks and sparring skills and a board break using an autobahn into a back spinning hook kick.

More than thirty color belt students were promoted in the testing with three awarded trophies for excellence. New high green belt Laura Borth earned the first place trophy, blue belt Joy Steltzer won second place and high yellow belt Andrew Krause took home the third place trophy.

The testing was judged by Grandmaster Dwight Stevens, assisted by Senior Master Mark Henkel and Master Matt Ford of Cincinnati.

Stevens Taekwondo Invitational is slated for September 18 in Port Edwards Wi. Registration deadline, September 4, is fast approaching. Visit stevenstkd@wikispaces.com/ for information and registration forms.

School Demo: Demo coordinator Master Kim Buehler and Master Justin Buehler, assisted by Port Edwards instructor Stephen Decker, led a taekwondo demo out in the heat and humidity of Krazy Days in Stevens Point July 16. Students demonstrated workup techniques, kick combinations, bag work on both heavy and bags and focus paddles, forms, sparring and board-breaking.

Colby Davis, Brook Decker, Bryant Hedrington, Allison McLeod, Daniel Naipat, Sara Shuler, Joy Steltzer and Ben Strojny participated.

International Recognition: Grandmaster Robert Stevens, son of Dr. Stevens, received international recognition recently. He attended the week-long 20th Annual Foreign Instructor Training Course in Seoul, South Korea and was awarded a citation as the “Most Excellent Student” of the 160 attending from 30 countries, receiving, in addition, a gold watch from the kukkiwon.

Referee Training: Black belts from all over the state attended referee training and certification hosted by Mr. Stephen Decker, instructor for the Stevens Taekwondo Academy - South Wood County YMCA, at Pachelli Catholic High School August 6. Participants were trained by Senior Master John Seiber, national chairman of referees for the USA Taekwondo, in the latest hand signals, terminology and requirements for referee and corner judging. The instruction included an excellent practical period and a final written exam.

Local black belts attending for updated or first-time training included: Senior Master Karen Johnson, Senior Master Mark Henkel, Master Hilde Henkel, Master Ron Locascio, Master Jill Reed, Ben Nummelin, Steve Decker, Tom Lisack, Michelle Ormund, Lauren Shimulunas, Kim Regnitz, Bridgette Williams and Cory Lesperence.

This posting was delayed, I apologize, but lightning strikes and frying of internet cards do not happen too often, Thank God! I am grateful there were no injuries, and no major damage, and for the photo contributions from both Master Karrie Lane and Jeff Lane.