Nine martial artists finished up the year earning new or
higher black belts in a very high energy promotion testing held at the Stevens
Point YMCA recently.
Fred Haack and Ian Jensen achieved the high rank of
fifth degree black belt with their performance of the sipjin forma and
demonstrations of advanced skills. Haack
explained the essential elements of successful board breaking and then proceeded
to demonstrate by breaking multiple boards.
Jensen demonstrated a kali blade form and double stick fighting. Jensen also fought two matches, against
opponents of diverse techniques.
Jessica Tomaszewski,
the mother- son duo of Carrie Murray
and Gavin Murray, Brayden Charneski, Cabrini Brandl and Joanna Gebeau all earned full first
degree black belt rank with their exhibition of skills. The group answered an oral examination by
Senior Master Mark Henkel which
covered the history of taekwondo, the code and history of the hwarang warriors,
school style and belt meaning. They also demonstrated kick combinations,
sparring skills and koryo and four taegeuk forms. Tomaszewski broke her board with a round
house, back spinning hook kick, Carrie Murray with a back spinning side kick and
Gavin Murray broke his board with a jumping back spinning side kick. Charneski, the grandson of senior master Karen Johnson, shattered his board with
a back spinning side kick. Brandl used
an inside crescent back spinning side kick to break her board and Gebeau broke
with a back spinning side kick.
Ben Hultman
entered the black belt ranks as a deputy black belt with his demonstration of
five taegeuk forms, sparring skills and
advanced kick combinations. Hultman
smashed his board on the first attempt, using a back spinning side kick.
Three of the color belt students received trophies for
excellence in testing. Yellow belt Ben Pribel won first place, and green
belt Nellie Jonjak earned second
place with high red belt Isaac Bacon
grabbing third place.
This testing was judged by Grandmaster Dwight Stevens, the founder and long-time head of
Stevens Taekwondo Academy, assisted by retired judge Timothy Vocke and sixth degree black belts Mark Henkel, Bill Dragolovich, Dr. Ron Locascio and Jerry Hajewski. Master Kim
Buehler directed the testing groups.
Celebration Gathering to Honor Dr. Stevens
The Stevens Point Area YMCA and the students and friends of
Dr. Dwight Stevens gathered following the December testing to honor the
long-time taekwondo instructor as he concluded 38 years of leading Stevens
Taekwondo Academy.
The event brought friends and past and present students from
all over the state together in a very happy reunion. More than 50 black belts attended, with
others sending greetings and best wishes in a booklet of letters and photos. The
celebration included cake, with lots of photos, laughter and hugs.
Since 1981, Stevens has taught literally thousands of
martial artists, with more than 500 of them achieving black belt levels. Under his leadership, Stevens Taekwondo
Academy has provided training, fitness and discipline which has benefited the
many students. Stevens’ emphasis on
respect and perseverance helps students to succeed in many areas. The family-friendly, all-ages-welcome program
has retained practitioners for many years, including the husband-wife team of
senior masters Mark and Hilde Henkel, who will be continuing the program at the
YMCA.Tournament News
High green belt Ian
Shelton took first place for teen boys sparring recently. He competed in the Great Midwest Championship
in Milwaukee, sponsored by J. K. Lee Tae Kwon Do.
