02/09/2021
Martial Artists Blast through End of 2020 Toward New Goals
Martial Artists at AKF Martial Arts Academy in Neillsville, WI continued working towards their goal for higher rank belts despite being limited to virtual classes since mid November. As of February 2, 2021 in-person instruction will resume. By limiting class size, using masks when doing partner activities and rigorous disinfecting between classes, students will able to train safely. However virtual training is still available and enjoyed by about 25% of the student population.
During the last 3 months of 2020 the students of AKF Martial Arts continued to meet the challenges that each student faced at their particular belt level. Appearing virtually can be a challenge for the students in that they need appropriate space and a reliable internet connection for classes and eventually testing to their next belt. Students and their families have been creative in carving out adequate space to train. Everyone quickly learned how to rearrange their homes to fit a workout space for Zoom classes, which mask worked best for in person workouts and how to do partner work with a pretend partner or a pool noodle! Much to everyone’s amusement, family pets have adjusted to this activity in unique ways.
Despite the difficulties, students at AKF accomplished a lot during 2020.
Twelve individuals tested to a 1st Degree Black Belt or subsequent black belt in November. Michelle Pickett tested to 4th Degree Black Belt virtually at AKF Neillsville before a testing board of Masters. Testing to a higher level Black Belt is challenging at any time, but in 2020 there were additional challenges. Mrs Pickett spent a lot of time outdoors with the sun in her eyes and occasionally getting rain on during virtual classes and put in extra independent practice time. The required testing material was not changed regardless of the test being conducted virtually. Tim Parker, 4th Degree Black Belt assisted Mrs Pickett with the required partner activities.
Additionally, Matthew Miller, Ava Miller, Jason Iwanski, Jonathan Meyer and Caleb Meyer all tested to 2nd Degree Black Belt, with Tina Prindle, Victoria Prindle, Linda Schmitt, Christopher Cortez, Luke Reinhardt and Kennedy Luchterhand all tested to 1st Degree Black Belt at the annual Black Belt Extravaganza at the Kalahari Resort and Convention center in the Wisconsin Dells. Great care was taken to provide those testing as well as their families a safe environment to accomplish their goals.Given all the requirements and time constraints, this was a fantastic accomplishment.
For other members at AKF, 26 new belts were awarded to lower rank students moving towards their goal of earning a Black Belt. The Black Belt class of 2021 to test in November of this year was set to include Josh Cortez, Andres Cortez, and Maria Cortez striving to test 1st Dan and Mary Wold training for a 2nd Dan test.
The American Kyukido Federation hosted 3 virtual tournaments that allowed students to compete across the nation in a competition in empty hand forms and weapons forms. At AKF Neillsville 12 students competed in these various tournaments. The Federation’s next virtual tournament begins on February 1, 2021. This gives students a fantastic opportunity to match their skills against students from all AKF schools in the our country.
January 15, 2021 the first virtual test of the year was held for 4 individuals. Congratulations to Josh Cortez and Andres Cortez both testing to Red Belt; Maria Cortez testing to Red Stripe Belt and Corbin Wirkuty testing to Blue Stripe Belt. Sawyer Durst and Ava Miller both 2nd Degree Black Belts and Mary Wold, 1st Degree Black Belt all served on the testing board providing encouragement and constructive criticism designed to help students to grow in their martial arts skills as they work towards their next promotion.
The AKF Martial Arts Academy of Neillsville is under the direction and ownership of Master Linda Imler, 5th Degree Black Belt. For more information regarding the school call 715-743-6540. Call today to join the upcoming ranks of Martial Arts students working toward their black belts.
