The Academy Martial Arts - Aze-Ki Karate

04/08/2026

To purchase a ticket contact Crystal Wagner, Mickey Metz, or any member of Aze-Ki Karate. 🥋Your support is greatly appreciated!

04/05/2026

04/01/2026

🥋 It isn’t just punches and kicks.
It’s the moments where you’re so tired you want to give up, but don’t.
It’s the opportunities to make life-long friends.
It’s to have mentors who will not only teach self-defense, but about life.
It’s to learn discipline and how to be disciplined in the dojo, school, work, home, and life.
It’s to learn to take care of your body and get stronger.
It’s to learn to work with others and be a proud, supportive, kind, and respectful person throughout your life.
It’s to learn how to deal with disappointment, but stand back up with determination and strive to do better next time.
It’s to learn life-saving skills and recognize threats.
It’s to train your body, but also your mind.
It’s to learn to protect yourself and your loved ones.
It isn’t just punches and kicks. 🥋

03/28/2026

Meet another instructor – Lee Short

Aze-Ki Karate is proud to introduce one of our dedicated instructors, Lee Short.
Lee began his martial arts journey in 2000, training under Sensei Rick Potts at High Point Martial Arts in High Point, North Carolina, where he studied American Karate. Through years of commitment and discipline, Lee earned his Black Belt in 2004, marking an important milestone in his martial arts career.
In 2018, Lee joined Aze-Ki Karate, where he continued his training under Sensei Metz and Sensei Wagner. Since then, he has become a valued member of our dojo, contributing greatly to the growth and development of our students.
In recognition of his dedication and achievements in martial arts, Lee was inducted into both the International and USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame in 2025.
Lee is a tremendous asset to Aze-Ki Karate. His experience, leadership, and passion for teaching make him exceptional at sharing his knowledge and helping students grow both on and off the mat.
We are proud to have Sensei Lee Short as part of the Aze-Ki Karate family.

03/28/2026

Sensei Crystal Wagner is a 6th Degree black belt in karate and a 5th degree in Manabi-Masho Ju-Jitsu. She has now been studying karate, jujitsu, boxing, and kickboxing for 34 years. She has competed nationally, internationally, and won many competitions. She is an 11 time WV State Champion, 6 time United States Champion, and was a member of AKJU Team America that fought in Ireland. Crystal Wagner was inducted into the World Head of Family Sokeship Council International Martial Arts Hall of Fame, and is currently in the Masters division. She has received various awards from this Hall of Fame over the years such as: Female Fighter of the Year, World’s Outstanding Adult Female Competitor Award, Regional Instructor Award, Continued Excellence in Martial Arts Award, Karate Woman of the Year, and Silver Life Achievement Award (over 30 years of martial arts).
She also has received awards and was inducted into the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame and inducted into the World Martial Arts Federation Hall of Fame. Crystal currently teaches in WV at the Dojo her father, Mickey Metz, and her run together. She is a lifelong martial artist that loves the art!

03/28/2026

Sensei/Grandmaster Mickey Metz is a 10th Degree blackbelt in Sho-O-Jin Karate, an 3rd Degree black belt in Ko Sutemi Seiei Kan karate and an 8th degree in Manabi-Masho Ju-Jitsu. He has now been studying karate, jujitsu, boxing, and kickboxing for 34 years. He is the founder of Sho-O-Jin Martial Arts. He has been boxing since the age of 7, where he boxed golden gloves and won many bouts. He has competed nationally, internationally, and won many competitions. He was a member of AKJU Team America that fought in Ireland. He is a certified Police Tactics Instructor/ Level 9. Mickey was inducted into the World Head of Family Sokeship Council International Martial Arts Hall of Fame, and is currently in the Masters division. He has received various awards from this Hall of Fame over the years such as: Karate Man of the Year, National Master Instructor Award, Regional Instructor Award, Outstanding Leadership Award, Continued Excellence in Martial Arts Award, Master Instructor of the Year, Police Tactics Instructor of the Year Award, Humanitarian of the Year Award, Master of the Year/Self-Defense, and Silver Life Achievement Award (over 30 years of martial arts).
He has also has received awards and was inducted into the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame and the World Martial Arts Federation Hall of Fame. He currently teaches in WV at the Dojo his daughter, Crystal Wagner, and him run together. Sensei Metz has a continuous passion for learning martial arts and teaching the art to others! 🥋

03/27/2026