05/04/2025
WOW!!!! Yesterday was an absolutely incredible event. There's just so much to say so pardon my rant and please read to the end.
Thank for all of you that made the long drive out to the New Jersey School. The turnout was absolutely tremendous and beyond anything that I could have expected. Seeing the kids cheer and get out there and support the black belt candidates was a showing of love and support that could only be dreamed of. Thank you.
Thank you everyone for your constant and continuous support. It's not lost on me that you are trusting us with the most valuable and important people in your lives, your children. Thank you for 20 years of trust, belief and support. None of this is possible without you so thank you.
Congratulations to the black belt candidates. They showed what black belt excellence is. They embodied all the life skills that we teach on a daily basis. They persevered through the toughest challenge of their lives and did it with excellence, grace, grit, mental and physical strength. I was nothing short of proud watching them transform into a Black Belt. They truly showed what they are made of and I have no doubt that they will be successful in life at anything they want if they show the same excellence and perseverance.
With a Black Belt comes a title. Every title has a meaning and says something about the person holding the title. It is an honor to hold any of these titles and none of them are easy to achieve.
Kohai - This is the first title. It means Junior Black Belt and symbolizes the beginning of the black belt journey after passing the Black Belt Test
Sempai - This is the next title up and means Senior Black Belt. It takes more dedication, commitment and training to reach this next level of Black Belt
Joshu - It means your loyal, dedicated and an up and coming teacher. To get this title you must teach and give back to other students in the school and serve
Deshi - Most loyal and dedicated student. You have to put in years of service and giving back to the school and students. Also you're a really good instructor and leader
Sensei - Teacher. You must have been training and teaching for years and be absolutely incredible at it. You can lead a school and create Black Belts. Your service to the school, students and community is unmatched
Shihan - Master
Soke - Grand Master
Congratulations to
Allison Miller
Avery Hardy-Jenkins
Daniel Estevez
Isaiah Anthony
Mia Griffiths
Shaheen Johnson
&
Tyler Hall
For Achieving the title of Kohai. Please refer to them as either Kohai, Kohai (first name) or Kohai (last name). They truly earned their Black Belt and this level of respect.
Congratulations to
Sowan George
For achieving the title of Sempai. The amount of service she has selflessly given to the school and it's students is absolutely unmatched by anyone in the 20 years of Dynamic Martial Arts Academy at this stage of the martial arts journey so a Kohai title wasn't sufficient or accurate to what she has contributed. Please refer to her as Sempai.
Congratulations to
Sempai Maickel Guaman
For being promoted and achieving the title of Joshu. He is a really good instructor and his potential is limitless. He truly loves the school and it's students and is dedicated and loyal. Please refer to him as Joshu.
Congratulations to
Deshi Jayden King
For being promoted and achieving the very rare title of Sensei. He is the very first person I have ever promoted to a Sensei and he joins me in having this title. His dedication and loyalty to the school and its students is unmatched. His level of instruction on the mat is absolutely incredible. It is a true honor to give him this title and for him to stand next to me as a Sensei. Please refer to him as Sensei. If we are both around you should use Sensei (first name or last name) for either one of us so we know who you're talking to. lol
Congratulations to Sensei Lewis Lashley for getting his 5th degree black belt!! 3 decades of training pays off.
After 20 years things at Dynamic Martial Arts Academy is better than it has ever been and we are just getting started. Big things to come.
Sensei Wisky
