Thursday, December 12, 2019

December 2019: New Black Belts and 2020 Schedule



Martial artists from two local schools tested successfully recently, earning new belt ranks, including seven for black belt levels.  The event was greatly enhanced by the presence of Dr. Dwight Stevens, the founder and long-time instructor of Stevens Taekwondo Academy.

Carolyn Doerr, Kaleb Bicknase, Corinne Milovanovic and Isaac Bacon all earned their first degree black belts in rigorous testing, including the performance of advanced kick combinations, koryo and four taegeuk forms and advanced sparring skills.  The four then answered wide-ranging questions from head instructor Mark Henkel on the history, tenets and practice of taekwondo.  They each broke their boards with working step back spinning side kicks and were awarded their new belts on the spot.

Jeffrey Ross, Marcus Studinski and Joseph Tomaszewski earned the rank of deputy black belt (also known as bo dan) as they demonstrated advanced kicking  and sparring skills and five taegeuk forms.  Ross used an inside crescent, back spinning side kick to smash his board.  Studinski and Tomaszewski broke with back spinning side kicks.

From the color belts, Jennifer Hanlon won the trophy for testing excellence in her first testing as she slashed through her board on the first try.  The students train at Stevens Taekwondo Academy YMCA and Stevens Taekwondo A New Way of Life.  Master Mark Henkel headed the testing panel, assisted by masters Hilde Henkel, Karen Johnson and Carol Landrath.


2020 YMCA Class Schedule