Black Dragon Martial Arts Competitors from Gwinn and Kingsford Michigan recently attended the 2008 NASKA Diamond National Karate Tournament in Minneapolis, Minnesota. This year the team added several new, strong tournament competitors who really shined in their events and won titles that normally go to professional competitors. This smattering of hometown talent joined some of the top names in sport martial arts today to turn the 2008 Diamond Nationals into a melting pot of excitement for spectators and participants.
The 2008 Diamond Nationals brought excitement to all the competitors and spectators at the event. Black Dragon Competitors placed in the following divisions (front row L-R) Diane Mays- 2nd place traditional forms; Tavaree Kovach- 2nd place open performance, 3rd place weapon forms, 3rd place sparring, finalist traditional forms; Ashlee Kranz- finalist point sparring; Anneli Hedmark- finalist traditional forms. (back row L-R) Instructor Tina Fuller- 2nd place open performance, finalist traditional and weapon forms; Fraser Kranz- honors traditional forms; Pete Thelander- 2nd place sparring, 3rd place traditional forms; James Blackmon- finalist traditional and weapon forms, sparring. Congratulations to everyone who competed!
Take a look at our other pages for MORE martial art information and LINKS to other websites!!
Our Active Black Belts
The Journey Never Ends
Instructor 3rd Dan ITF/WTF TKD Tina Fuller
Instructor 2nd Dan ITF TKD Mark Murray
2nd Dan ITF TKD Ashlee Kranz
1st Dan Aikido Mark Valenti
2nd Dan ITF TKD Fraser Kranz
Instructor 2nd Dan ITF/WTF TKD Abigail Thiery
|
Martial Art Supply
Quick Store
Karate Uniform elastic waist White or Black $29.00/ea
TKD Uniform Pull-over elastic waist White or Black $29.00/ea
Eskrima stick 28" rattan $20.00/pr
Kama aluminum, 14" handle $28.00/pr
Nunchucka 11" handle, 2-link ball bearing, chrome w/ black, blue or red stripes $58.00/pr
Fighing Fan 14" closed, 27" wide open, black cloth on red bamboo staves $17.00/ea
Tapered hardwood Bo staff 4ft, 5ft or 6ft $17.00/ea
Need more GREAT additions to your Martial Art Training Library?
See our DVD order form on our training/ DVD information page.
Uniform size chart
|
|
Black Dragon Martial Arts
 
Organized in 2003
Dedicated in Respect and Memory of Instructor 1st Dan Leonard Anderson and his dedication to his students
Visitors since July 2006
|
Located at
Donna's School of Dance Complex
1075 Pyle Drive
Kingsford, MI 49802
Phone: 906-774-4868
The Gwinn Club House
165 N Maple
Gwinn, MI 49841
906-346-4523
Rock Senior Center
3892 W Maple Ridge Rd
Rock, MI 49880
906-346-4523
Welcoming South County Fitness and Community Center
301 Ave A
Gwinn MI 49841
906-346-4523
|
Dedicated to Training Youth and Adults in the Martial Arts
ITF/WTF Style Tae Kwon Do
USJA Style Judo
Inayan Style Eskrima
Lit'l Dragon Pre-school Training
|
 |
|
Determine Your Training Goals
|
Determining Your Training Goals
The first thing to do when considering taking a martial arts class is to determine what you hope to gain from martial arts training. Everyone has a reason for their interest in the martial arts, and it's important to know your options and goals so that you can really get the most out of your training and have a postive experience. Below are some common reasons for studying the martial arts and some examples of styles that fit those reasons.
Fitness/Fun Related Interests
The most common reason for training that I hear is that people want to have fun and get in better physical condition, whether that is losing weight, getting stronger or just getting more active. Martial arts is a great way to get in shape and can be really fun to learn. It will improve endurance, strength, flexibility, speed, coordination, balance and helps with overall stress levels.
|
|
Which Martial Art is the Best?
|
You should decide what you are looking to get out of the Martial Arts, and do not be afraid to ask the instructor about those points. There are Sport Arts (Judo, Tae Kwon Do, Tournament Karate), Striking Arts (Karate, Chinese Boxing, Tae Kwon Do), Grappling Arts (Aikido, Jujutsu, Ch'in Na) and Weapon Arts (Kyudo, Kendo, Escrima). Arts have different philosophies and goals, you need to pry a little to learn what those are. You should decide which one interests you, and then look into the schools that teach that style, in your area.
Cultures effect the arts, so we look at "Style" and origin of an art to see what its influences and philosophies are likely to be. Many arts are effected by the culture they are taught in, and the beleifs of the instructors. So if you get an American Instructor there is a good chance that he will teach a more Americanized version than an instructor from somewhere else. This can be good or bad depending on what you are trying to get out of the Art. It is easier for people to understand people of their own cultures -- but if you are trying to get the other culture out of the art, then you should make sure that the instructor knows that culture well.
|
Karate Kids: Children and Martial Arts
 |
Sports participation, regardless of the sport, is one way children can learn valuable lessons with life-long benefits. Karate, as a sport, teaches self-discipline, builds self-esteem and a level of commitment, which may otherwise not be there. Karate, more than any other sport, is a life-long process. When kids click with this sport, it will follow them into adulthood. It can become a way of life, as these kids continually challenge themselves. The confidence instilled in them by their training. The values of good sportsmanship, and of trying your best. We realize you can get these from other activities, but those are good life skills, not just martial arts skills.
Do the research. Visit the dojo, observe how the instructors interact with the students. Ask questions. See if the school has a trial period. How competitive is the school? What is the attitude/atmosphere of the school? Also, there should be more to Martial Arts training that the belt. To paraphrase from Karate Kid, belts are to hold up pants.
|
|
Lit'l Dragon Pre-school Training
|
Lit'l Dragon Pre-school Training
Our Little Dragons preschool program combines tumbling and karate to help your child develop coordination, focus, confidence, and discipline, focusing on developmentally appropriate skills like balance, memory and coordination. This program features:
Separate classes and activities for ages 3 - 5.
A gymnastics and martial arts curriculum.
Instructors who are trained to care for your preschooler's interest and abilities.
Safe and fun classes in a professional environment where parents can watch and / or participate!
Karate, Tumbling, Fitness and
FUN, FUN, FUN
Improve Discipline
Build Confidence
Develop Coordination
Learn Focus
Our instructors emphasize fun in every area of teaching, doing their best to ensure that your child has a great time as they learn.
Preschool classes run for 8 week sessions during the year with students attending class once a week.
|
.Website maintained by Black Dragon Martial Arts
|
|
