Tag: self-defense

US BUDOKAI BLACK BELTS DEMO AT THE VALLEY CATS!

Posted on | by USBKA

US Budokai JR/Teen Black Belt’s demonstrated before a crowd of over 2000 including family and friends at the Tri-City Valley Cats last Thursday 8/19 between the raindrops!! The demo team performed a quick demonstration of basic skills including Taikyoku 1 in synch and a dynamic criss-cross kicking finale! Great job Team!

Check out these video clips!! US Budokai Demo at the Valley Cats; US Budokai Demo at the Valley Cats 2

A misty rain persisted throughout the evening dampening the spectators but not their spirits and a great time was had by all!  We were certainly glad to return to this annual event!! The Tri-City Valley Cats is great family fun! Thanks for coming out to the game!

A recap of the game: Valleys Cats Loss 8/19

Check out the Valley Cats at the Joe Bruno Stadium here: Tri-City Valley Cats

_______________________________________________________

Russ Jarem

Hanshi Russ Jarem, 8th-degree black belt

Susan Warzek

Kyoshi Susan Warzek, 7th-degree black belt

USBKA-CP.com & US BUDOKAI KARATE of Clifton Park have been repeatedly selected as the communities’ #1 Martial Arts School!

Established in 1980 by Master Instructor, Hanshi Russ Jarem an 8th degree Black Belt, US Budokai Karate and for pre-school children ages, 4-6 and elementary age kids ages 7 and up are designed to develop the skills needed for a successful in school and later in life.

US Budokai Karate Adult Karate training is a complete adult fitness and conditioning program for adults who want to lose weight, get (and stay in shape), or learn self-defense in a supportive environment.  A place to develop mind, body, and spirit.

Instructors can answer questions or be contacted 24 hours or the day, 7 days a week at RenshiSue@usbka-cp.com or call directly at 518-383-0484. You can also visit our website at USBKA-CP.com

The US Budokai Karate is centrally located in the Capital District Area in Saratoga County, New York at 215 Guideboard Road, Clifton Park, NY  12065.

Stripes!

NEW BELT STRIPING POLICY AND UPCOMING KYU TESTING!

Posted on | by USBKA

What is belt striping?  Kyu (colored belt) ranked students must earn “stripes” for various skills and knowledge on their way  to the next belt rank.  Beginning with the October 2021 Kyu Testing, students will need to earn FOUR STRIPES (instead of three) to be eligible to test for the next rank.

The colored stripes designate specific rank requirements:

WHITE STRIPE = SELF-DEFENSE
RED STRIPE = KATA
BLUE STRIPE = SPARRING DRILLS & SKILLS
BLACK STRIPE = READY TO TEST!!

The reassignment of the blue stripe puts added emphasis on sparring skills for the students and adds the new black stripe to indicate readiness to test.

STRIPES ARE READY … ARE YOU?!

Save the dates:  The next Kyu Promotional Exams will be held tentatively on Wednesday, October 20th.  We are coordinating an off-site Kyu Graduation ceremony for parents and family members to attend the following Friday (October 29th) at the Waterford-Halfmoon School Auditorium!! (Waterford-Halfmoon School) Once the dates are confirmed, additional details will follow.  In addition to the Kyu Graduation Ceremony we are planning several exciting demonstrations so make sure you save the date!!

 

Russ Jarem

Hanshi Russ Jarem, 8th degree black belt

Susan Warzek

Kyoshi Susan Warzek, 7th degree black belt

USBKA-CP.com & US BUDOKAI KARATE of Clifton Park have been repeatedly selected as the communities’ #1 Martial Arts School!

Established in 1980 by Master Instructor, Hanshi Russ Jarem an 8th degree Black Belt, US Budokai Karate and for pre-school children ages 4-6 and elementary age kids ages 7 and up are designed to develop the skills needed for a successful in school and later in life.

US Budokai Karate Adult Karate training is a complete adult fitness and conditioning program for adults who want to lose weight, get (and stay in shape) or learn self-defense in a supportive environment.  A place to develop your mind, body and spirit.

Instructors can answer questions or be contacted 24 hours or the day, 7 days a week at RenshiSue@usbka-cp.com or call directly at 518-383-0484. You can also visit our website at USBKA-CP.com

The US Budokai Karate is centrally located in the Capital District Area in Saratoga County, New York at 215 Guideboard Road, Clifton Park, NY  12065.

 

 

 

Black Belt Test Weekend

CONGRATULATIONS NEW BLACK BELTS!

Posted on | by USBKA

The weekend of March 20-21, 2021 marked not only the welcome of spring but an accomplishment few attain but all admire a black belt.

Join us in congratulating TEN new shodans, first-degree black belts to US Budokai Karate!

SHODAN
Don Fawthrop, Ivan Stebletsov, Trent Bruce, Aidan Smith, Kayla Smith, Veronica Smith, Lily Heffernan, Marissa Guetti, Katerina Tsakaloyannis, and Jack Baker!

Of note in the shodan, group is The Smith Family – Congratulations on three family members making rank at the same time!!

Even fewer students move on to higher dan (level) rank so we are extremely proud of the FIVE new Nidans, second-degree black belts!

NIDAN
Haley Miller, Chris Guetti, Jordan Whelchel, Randy Mysliwiec, Taylor Lanier

Students must be at least 14 years old to test for Nidan so it is no small feat for a student who starts as a Tiny Tiger (4-6 years old) to continue to Nidan.  We are extremely proud to acknowledge the commitment of Haley Miller, Jordan Whelchel, and Taylor Lanier – all Tiny Tiger alumni!! Way to go!

YONDAN
Sensei Walter McKay

Sensei Walter McKay
Congratulations Sensei Walter McKay

It is a rare student who stays until making the rank of 4th-degree black belt and earns the title Sensei.   Join me in congratulating Sensei Walter McKay on this phenomenal accomplishment.  Sensei began training at US Budokai in 2006 and exemplifies the extraordinary (15YR!) dedication to this landmark achievement.  Of note, Sensei Walter joins his wife, Sensei Nicole McKay as a US Budokai yondan (Mr. and Mrs. Sensei!!). 

Hanshi Jarem put the students through kihon (karate basics), katas, and pre-arranged self-defenses.  No black belt exam would be complete without fighting!  These candidates had to fight their way through many rounds of bag work; tougher by some standards for sure but at least those bags weren’t hitting back!! The determination, conditioning, and spirit of these candidates were some of the best we’ve ever seen. All of these candidates stayed strong and committed to their training throughout COVID quarantine, training virtually, solo, and in the dojo.  By far they are each stronger inside and out having made this journey with US Budokai Karate.  CONGRATULATIONS FROM ALL OF US TO ALL OF YOU! OSU!

CLICK THE LINK BELOW –

SPRING 2021 BLACK BELT TESTING HIGHLIGHTS

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ENJOY!!

____________________________________________________

Russ Jarem

Hanshi Russ Jarem, 8th degree black belt

Susan Warzek

Kyoshi Susan Warzek, 7th degree black belt

USBKA-CP.com & US BUDOKAI KARATE of Clifton Park have been repeatedly selected as the communities’ #1 Martial Arts School!

Established in 1980 by Master Instructor, Hanshi Russ Jarem an 8th degree Black Belt, US Budokai Karate and for pre-school children ages 4-6 and elementary age kids ages 7 and up are designed to develop the skills needed for a successful in school and later in life.

US Budokai Karate Adult Karate training is a complete adult fitness and conditioning program for adults who want to lose weight, get (and stay in shape) or learn self-defense in a supportive environment.  A place to develop mind, body and spirit.

Instructors can answer questions or be contacted 24 hours or the day, 7 days a week at RenshiSue@usbka-cp.com or call directly at 518-383-0484. You can also visit our website at USBKA-CP.com

The US Budokai Karate is centrally located in the Capital District Area in Saratoga County, New York at 215 Guideboard Road, Clifton Park, NY  12065.

Sixteen Black Belt Candidates

Black Belt Testing Weekend!

Posted on | by USBKA

Black Belt Testing Weekend brings with it the culmination of many years of training for sixteen worthy black belt candidates!

Eleven of those candidates will be testing for shodan (first-degree black belt) or jr. shodan (under 13).

A black belt is seen as the epitome of karate training and to many, the goal, the end of the road.  However, students who truly walk the path understand that a black belt is just the beginning.  Students who successfully achieve shodan will undergo a six (6) month probationary period before their black belt certificate is issued.  Black belt certificates differ from kyu rank (colored belt) certificates in that it bears the students photo and is specifically numbered and recorded with the organization.

Four of this weekend’s candidates will be testing for Nidan (second-degree black belt).

It has been said that a student isn’t considered serious by their sensei until at least second, if not third-degree black belt.  At shodan, a student has learned a solid level of basic skill.  For Nidan, the student has grown in understanding, ability, and has a deeper knowledge of applying those skills.

One candidate will test for yondan (fourth-degree black belt).

With the rank of yondan comes the title “Sensei”.  This individual has shown a mastery of skills, the ability to share his knowledge, and foremost, compassion.  For every ten thousand students that join a karate class, half will drop out the first month.  Of that five thousand, half will stay another month. Of those remaining, only one thousand will stay for six months and then quit.  Five hundred will study for a year, but only one shall go onto teaching others what they have learned.  A Sensei is one in ten thousand!

All afternoon classes will be canceled on Saturday, March 20, and all activities are canceled on Sunday, March 21.   There are no spectators for testing.  OSU!

Shommen
black belts to be awarded

_______________________________________Russ Jarem

Hanshi Russ Jarem, 8th-degree black belt

Susan Warzek

Kyoshi Susan Warzek, 7th-degree black belt

USBKA-CP.com & US BUDOKAI KARATE of Clifton Park have been repeatedly selected as the communities’ #1 Martial Arts School!

Established in 1980 by Master Instructor, Hanshi Russ Jarem an 8th degree Black Belt, US Budokai Karate and for pre-school children ages 4-6 and elementary age kids ages 7 and up are designed to develop the skills needed for a successful in school and later in life.

US Budokai Karate Adult Karate training is a complete adult fitness and conditioning program for adults who want to lose weight, get (and stay in shape) or learn self-defense in a supportive environment.  A place to develop mind, body and spirit.

Instructors can answer questions or be contacted 24 hours or the day, 7 days a week at RenshiSue@usbka-cp.com or call directly at 518-383-0484. You can also visit our website at USBKA-CP.com

The US Budokai Karate is centrally located in the Capital District Area in Saratoga County, New York at 215 Guideboard Road, Clifton Park, NY  12065.