Martial Arts Family Fitness (MAFF), a family-owned and operated school dedicated to improving lives through martial arts, announced today that Grandmaster Dave Wheaton will oversee the semi-annual black belt test and promotion in the art of Dynamic Circle Hapkido. Testing for their first dan are five adults and one youth student.
Additionally, six students will test for their second dan, and another 27 black belts will test for advancement within their current rank. The black belt exam and promotion will take place at the Santa Barbara school’s facility at 122 E Gutierrez Street on Saturday, June 1, 2013. The promotion will begin at 10:00 AMwith the advanced black belt test, followed by the black belt test at 11:00. Black belts testing for in-rank advancement will test at 1:00 PM
“Every black belt test and promotion is different and has its own personality, and the group testing has a lot to do with it,” said Grandmaster Dave Wheaton, founder and owner of Martial Arts Family Fitness. ”
As the Chief Instructor at MAFF I could not be more pleased with the level of black belts at our school. Besides our new black belts and those promoting to a higher rank we also have a very impressive group of black belts testing for advancement within their current ranks.”
“We just received confirmation that the office of State Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson is presenting our school with a certificate of recognition from the Senate because we were recently named the Best Martial Arts School in the Country for 2013 by Action Magazine,” added Melodee Meyer, co-owner of Martial Arts Family Fitness. “This is a great recognition for our instructors and students, as our black belt candidates train through a rigorous curriculum in preparation for this day.”
To test for their black belt students must exhibit proficiency in various areas of study, including basics (hand strikes and kicks), self defense techniques, takes downs and throws, and sparring, including individual and multiple attacker scenarios.
“Our students, adult and youth alike, train very hard for this special day,” added Grandmaster Wheaton. “In our school there is no difference in the black belt earned by an adult or youth student – all train exceptionally hard and earn their rank. As a black belt each student is encouraged to continue practicing and making the art their own. It is always a thrill to watch our students grow, and this is just one of the many days we celebrate their achievements.”
Students testing for their 2nd dan include:
Caden Heinze (11 years old)
Kailea Hieshima (12 years old)
Karina Muñoz
Alex Rodriguez
Sarah White
Bella Wygant (12 years old)
Students testing for their first degree black belt are:
Dee Dee Barrett
Martin Brown
Rebecca Clark
Gisele Erlach
Sydney Hlavaty (11 years old)
Nana Talevi
