Black Belt Candidates Tested in Springville over the Weekend
SPRINGVILLE, UT, Oct 11, 2008 – Omega Martial Arts, located at 875 N Main Street, held its annual Black Belt test on Friday, October 10 and Saturday, October 11. Thirteen students from the Springville, Payson and Pleasant Grove schools performed in taekwondo, hapkido, jiu jitsu, okinawan weapon forms, individual creative martial art demonstrations, judo throwing and falling, self defense techniques, the gauntlet — which is the ultimate test of physical sparring endurance, and then ended with board and brick breaking. Ranks for black belt, 1st dan black belt, and 3rd dan black belt were awarded.
This year’s black belt test featured a blind folded spinning back kick, a reverse hand speed break, powerfully moving musicals, heart-pumping sparring matches, and more, but the most inspiring display of triumph was heard in the words “indomitable spirit” and “true heart” spoken by instructors and spectators alike.
“This truly talented group of martial artists pushed themselves beyond their own limits. Their accomplishment came in spite of separated ribs, knee surgeries, self doubt, time conflicts and the challenges associated with preparing to be an Omega black belt,” said Richard Davis, owner and head instructor of Omega Martial Arts in Springville. “Our students have pushed and pulled each other, deepened friendships, and proven themselves; those are some of the greatest gifts of success.
Omega Martial Art black belt candidates testing from Springville:
Troy Young, 1st dan black belt
Maddy Morris, 1st dan black belt
Ron Hendry, black belt
Carla Bennett, black belt
Kimberly Titus, black belt
Britton Broderick, black belt
McKay Broderick, black belt
Radley Nelson, black belt
Allan Maughan, black belt
Omega Martial Art black belt candidates testing from Pleasant Grove:
Randy Smith, 3rd dan black belt
Alicia Lindstrom, 1st dan black belt
Alex Lindstrom, 1st dan black belt
Omega Martial Art black belt candidates testing from Payson:
Jayman Davis, 1st dan black belt
It takes martial artists five to six years to earn a 1st dan black belt in the Omega system. Black belt candidacy begins with a formal presentation in November followed by five four-hour pre- testing sessions given by high ranking black belt judges to verify the candidates’ knowledge of the system. The final black belt test is a two-day culmination in front of an Omega black belt board.
The Omega black belt board consists of president and grand master Dr. Bob Davis 10th degree, Shihan Pano Pederas 7th degree, Shihan Jan Davis 6th degree, Master Jason Davis 5th degree, Master Jenny Jarvis 5th degree, and Associate Master Richard Davis 4th degree.
The test was held at Omega Martial Arts located at 875 N Main Street, Springville, Utah. For questions, please call 801-491-8542.
About Omega Martial Arts
Founded in 1987, Omega Martial Arts Utah is part of Omega Karate Schools, based in Colorado, and is accredited with North American Tae Kwon Do Organization (NATO). Omega Martial Arts teaches a hybrid of Tae Kwon Do, Jiu Jitsu, Self Defense, Weapons, Judo, Sparring and Hapkido in order to create a well-rounded martial artist. Its instructors are known for their superior technique and diverse martial art expertise and its programs are designed to motivate students toward respect and excellence. Omega Martial Arts has dojangs (or schools) in Springville, Payson, and Pleasant Grove.
