June 2015 Testing and News

Challenging board breaks and advanced skill demonstrations highlighted belt promotion testing for taekwondo students of all ages and levels at the YMCA recently.  Grandmaster Dwight Stevens judged the testing, assisted by senior masters Mark Henkel and Jerry Hajewski of Wauwatosa.

Kriewaldt, Hurrish, He, Williams, Burns, Norrell, Dr. Stevens

Trent Norrell, who teaches taekwondo at UW-Whitewater, achieved sixth degree black belt level with a sharp execution of the jitae form, a blindfolded spin hook speed break and demonstration of his bo staff competition form.  Norrell also spoke on the essentials for a life time of martial arts practice and instruction:  to understand the body mechanics, to work with integrity and intelligence and to continue educating oneself in the arts.

Evelyn Williams, who trains at the Motorola Taekwondo Club in Illinois, earned third degree black belt level as she demonstrated clean precision in advanced kick combinations,  sparring and the taebek form.  Williams snapped her board with a spinning hook speed break and then performed the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF)  demonstration form hanryu, with her husband and instructor Senior Master John Henkel.

Brian Burns advanced to second degree black belt , successfully performing the keumgang form, kick combinations and sparring.  He broke two boards with a spinning side kick.

Chloe Bacon, Joanna Gebeau, Krishiv Sreejith

Gabe Hurrish, David Kriewaldt and Jiaxin He all earned advanced to full first degree black belt status with their demonstration of  koryo and four taegeuk  forms, advanced kick combinations and sparring.  Hurrish used a back spinning hook kick for his board break, Kriewaldt executed a jump back spinning side kick and He snapped her board with a back spinning side kick.  The trio was examined on the history  and tenets of taekwondo, the meaning of symbols and terminology and even the current leaders of the international organization, WTF.

Three color belt students received trophies for excellence at the testing.  Green belt Chloe Bacon won first place, green belt Joanna Gebeau earned second place and high green belt Krishiv Sreejith took home third.

Expansion:

 Senior Master James Henkel and his wife Kayme welcomed Caleb Fritz Henkel to their family in April.

Celebration:

Students and friends celebrated Grandmaster Stevens’ birthday with cake and congratulations.

Contributing rightly: 

Senior Master Ron Locascio participated in a fishing outreach event sponsored by Prime Anglers, where he took a couple of boys fishing who had never had that experience.

Once again, Karrie Lane “covered” the June testing by recording the  black belt breaks and demonstrations, and then sharing them on STA facebook page.  Thanks for your time and efforts, Master Lane!

Remember if you have news of activities, jobs, births or special occasions which you would like to share on Stevens Taekwondo Academy news blog, send them to henkelfm@wctc.net

 

April 2015 Pressure Points Seminar

Grandmasters Stevens, Carsky and Boese

More than thirty martial artists from across the state gathered recently at the Stevens Taekwondo -- A New Way of Life studio to train in advanced techniques.  

Local taekwondo  black belts were joined by black belts and instructors from across the state for instruction in escapes, releases and take downs  utilizing the pressure sensitive nerve areas. 

The seminar was led by an eminent trio of grandmasters.  Master instructor Dwight Stevens clearly demonstrated an assortment of  techniques, using anecdotes from his lifetime of experience to illustrate situations and reactions needed.  

 Knowing a technique is just the beginning, Stevens told the group.

Dr. Stevens demonstrating with Bill Dragolovich

“To react when needed, you need to practice,”  Stevens said.  “Practice a lot.”

Grandmaster Fred Carsky spoke about both stranger and work place attacks, drawing on his experiences in law enforcement and as a security consultant.   Most relationships can be expressed as either interview or ambush, Carsky said, demonstrating more escapes and holds.   He recommended reading “The Gift of Fear” by Gavin DeBecker for more insight into human reactions to fear. 

 

Grandmaster Henk Boese emphasized simplicity and stance in reactions, using quick, sharp moves.  Presentations were also made by Dr. Ron Locascio and Master Mike Fenske.  

The seminar was attended by black belt students from UW-Stevens Point Taekwondo Club, Stevens Taekwondo Academy, American Taekwondo and Fitness of Eau Claire, Rising Son Mixed Martial Arts of Wausau, Warhawk Karate Club of Whitewater and Dragons Training Center of Milwaukee.

Dr. Stevens demonstrates arm bar takedown on Sr. Master Bill Dragolovich

Master Jill Konopacky works with Shirley Thao

Tanner Rogers and Kevin Martin work on ground escape techniques with others

Spring Testing 2015

Five senior masters with their grandmaster

More than 40 Stevens Taekwondo Academy students earned rank advancement at testing held at the Stevens Point YMCA recently, including a local doctor who joined the small number of Americans reaching the rank of sixth degree black belt. 

Dr. Ron Locascio achieved the title of senior master and sixth degree black belt, successfully demonstrating the difficult jitae form, submitting a thesis on taekwondo, and delivering a speech titled “Can’t Quit, Won’t Quit” to the martial artists and audience.  Locascio reminded all that life is short and “if you have passions in your life...go for it.  Start tomorrow!”  Locascio has cross-trained in several martial arts, but has continued with the Stevens Taekwondo Academy for more than 20 years, noting that “the most crucial thing about martial arts is your instructor”  and calling Grandmaster Dwight Stevens ‘the best of the best.’  With the promotion of  Locascio, the Stevens network of schools lists 13 of the fewer than 300 United States’ sixth degree black belts which are certified through the Kukkiwon, international headquarters of the Olympic sport.

Luke McChrystal and Andrew Bowling advanced to second degree black belt following their their performance of the keumgang form, advanced kicks and sparring and board breaking.  Both young men used a spinning side kick for their breaks.

Mary Gabriel Bunn and Dalton Cevan moved up to first degree status as black belts Sunday with their demonstration of  koryo and five taegeuk forms, sparring and Board breaking.  Bunn used and inside crescent, back spinning side kick and Cevan a working step back spinning side kick for their board breaks. Their test included an oral exam on the history of taekwondo, competition details, symbolism , taekwondo creed and showing respect.

David Kriewaldt and Erik Kober earned deputy black belt rank with their performances of five taegeuk forms, advanced sparring and kicking techniques.  Kriewaldt broke his board with a jump back spinning side kick.  Kober used a butterfly kick for his board break.

Andrew Bowker and Connor Shave

Two color belt students were recognized for excellence in testing.  High yellow belt Andrew Bowker won first place and high yellow belt Connor Shave earned second place.

The testing was judged by Grandmaster Dwight Stevens, assisted by senior masters Mark Henkel and Bill Dragolovich.

Scheduling note:  This testing was an early "April" testing.  The next Stevens Taekwondo promotion testing is scheduled for June 14, 2015.

April 18 is the 2015 Pressure Points Seminar (see previous posts for more iniformation).

The YMCA classes  run until April 9, with a break April 14 and April 16.  The next session begins April 21, and ends May 28.

Registration Form Pressure Points April 18th

CORRECT DATE APRIL 18

Pressure Points Seminar

Pressure Points Seminar

Dr. Dwight Stevens will present his always popular seminar on pressure points and hapkido on April 18 2015.  The presentation is open to law enforcement, and red and black belts 15 years of age and older. Space is limited, so early registration is recommended.  Det. Fred Carsky will also be presenting.

Date:   Saturday, April 18, 2015

Place:  Stevens Taekwondo: A New Way of Life

             210 Isadore Street, Stevens Point WI

Time:    9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Cost:    $50, includes registration,

             booklet on pressure points, patch and framed certificate

Attire:  dobok or comfortable workout clothing

Contact Dr. Stevens for registration materials, at dr6666@charter.net or call 715-341-5271