Taekwondo, Social Distancing and Moving Forward

It is already more than three months since the pandemic shut down taekwondo classes at the Stevens point YMCA, after nearly 40 years of year round class sessions.  This sad cessation of training will continue for a while, but eventually, formal classes will resume.

In the interim, Master Henkel and Master Hilde are live streaming short workouts each Tuesday and Thursday evening at 7 pm.  If you are not a member of the facebook page, and would like to continue training at home, ask to be a member so that you can join the workouts.

We are also considering different ways of helping students gain and move forward  I f you are working out and trying to continue, we will work out a way to test you, but we need to hear from students  Email us at henkelfm@wctc.net if you are interested.  This is for all levels of students, so contact us, whether a yellow belt or a black belt wanting to advance.

We miss the class and all the students, and will work something out to help you proceed if you get in contact.

Meantime, stay well and enjoy our great summer weather.

Family of Black Belts

A father and daughter tested together to earn new and higher black belts at Stevens Taekwondo:  A New Way of Life recently, meaning all four of the family have achieved taekwondo black belt level.

Daniel Murray Jr. successfully earned his fourth degree black belt and the title of junior master of taekwondo.  In addition to advanced kick combinations and sparring, he broke three boards with combination technique using front kick, side kick, crescent kick and spinning side kick.  He demonstrated the pyongwon form, a bo staff form and how to teach proper blocking.

Ten-year-old Elisabeth Murray followed her father, brother Gavin and mother Carrie into the black belt ranks as she earned her deputy black belt with her demonstration of five taebek forms.  She smashed her board with an inside crescent to back spinning side kick.

Master Karen Johnson judged the special testing.

February 2020

A dozen Stevens Taekwondo Academy students tested successfully for new belt ranks at the Stevens Point YMCA

recently.

The All Purpose Room was full of energy and pride as students of all levels and ages demonstrated blocks, kicks, forms and sparring.  Every student broke a board, showing both skill and determination.

Testing Group

Akiva Lyon was awarded the trophy for testing excellence as he earned his yellow belt.  Lyon, ten years old, snapped a full-sized board with a switching axe kick on his first attempt.

The testing was judged by master instructors Mark and Hilde Henkel. Master Kim Buehler directed the testing with assistance from black belts Ben Hultman and Malek Alkasrawi