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The Winning Edge dojo will be closed for several holidays. Please check the Schedule page for specific dates.
The Winning Edge Group is proud to present the Fight Like a Girl program. Click here for more information and contact us to reserve your spot.
Click here for details.
Arjarn Nick Hewitson from Michigan presented a wonderful seminar on Thai Boxing. It was intense, educational, and fun! Here is a picture.
The Winning Edge Rank Review Board is proud to announce that the rank of Shodan was awarded to Steve Sacco. His achievement is commendable. Congratulations to our new Sensei!
Winning Edge was proud to host Instructor Training for the Fight Like a Girl program. Brad Parker from Defend University certified several individuals in his Rape Escape program. This was a two-day training session demonstrating our continuing commitment to bring you the best qualified instructors possible.
The Winning Edge Rank Review Board is proud to announce that the rank of Shodan was awarded to Justin Reyes and Mark Riego de Dios. Their testing lasted almost five hours. Congratulations to our new Sensei's!
Our Halloween party was a terrific event. Everyone had a wonderful time playing games and having fun. The costume judging was not easy!
These last Fight Like a Girl sessions had both returning and new participants.
Winning Edge is proud to be associated with the newly formed organization called the Global Martial Arts Hall of Fame. Master Gunderson and Sensei Scorza were appointed to the Board of Governors of this premiere group of martial artists. Visit http://www.mahof.org for more information.
Master Gunderson and Sensei Scorza worked with the Canadian division of the World Martial Arts Hall of Fame hosted by Professor Ed McLachlon. Held in London, Ontario, the event featured a tournament, demonstrations, and spectacular awards banquet. Sensei Scorza took a Gold Medal in the Black Belt Weapons division.
Winning Edge got it's start back in 1966. Look for more information on the history and future of Winning Edge Martial Arts. Help celebrate by attending class now.
The Fight Like a Girl series continued again with level 3 training. The seminar focused on attackers with weapons. A smaller but more skilled group of women showed their attackers a thing or two about how to Fight Like a Girl. Way to go ladies!
October 23
A seminar in Modern Arnis Tapi-Tapi was being presented by Master Ken Smith at Midwest Martial Arts dojo in Noblesville, Indiana. This was an exciting and informative seminar.
October 23
Rape Escape returned to Winning Edge.
October 1
Dora Ryu Jiu Jitsu
Seminar
Professor Ed McLachlon from Canada presented a seminar on his special
style of Dora Ryu Jiu Jitsu. He focused on teaching students with special
needs especially for the deaf. Using sign language to explain joint locks,
holds, and take downs was an enlightening experience for everyone.
September 18
Rank Review for Sensei's
Ken Kuzel and Don Clift
A double review board awarded Sensei's Ken Kuzel and Don Clift of Midwest Martial Arts
the rank of Yondan - 4th degree black belts. This was sanctioned by the United States
Black Belt Association. The review board was overseen by Grandmaster Charles Czochara. Assisting Uke's were several students
from the Midwest Martial Arts dojo. Congratulations Sensei Ken & Don!
August 27
Rank Review for Sensei
Dave Scorza
A 4 hour review board awarded Sensei Dave Scorza the rank of Yondan - 4th
degree black belt. The review board consisted of Grandmaster Charles Czochara,
Master Bruce Gunderson, Sensei Val Cimo, and Sensei John Trakselis. Assisting
Uke's were Sensei's Sue Garstki and Patrick Cunningham. Congratulations Sensei
Dave!
July 2
IMAF Philippines
Arnis Seminar
Guru Samuel “Bambit” Dulay from the International Modern
Arnis Federation (IMAF) – Philippines conducted a very informative
and successful seminar on July 2. See the Pictures
page for some of the action.
June 24 – 26
Rape Escape Seminar and Certification
The
director of Defend University, Brad Parker brought his Women’s Self-Defense
Institute to Winning Edge. He offered a FREE seminar on Friday, June 24
that was open to the public for Rape Escape techniques. Certification
classes were done on Saturday and Sunday, June 25 & 26. For more details
on what happened at this event, contact Master
Bruce.
May 5 – 6
Winning Edge Provides
Personal Safety to Joel Osteen
Pastor Joel Osteen of
Joel Osteen Ministries hosted two sold out days of celebration and
worship at the Allstate Arena. Winning
Edge was proud and honored to have provided the Personal Safety Team to
the Osteen family. Click
here for a message from Master Bruce.
March 11 – 13
Filipino Martial
Arts Seminar
The Midwest Academy of
United Martial Arts, Inc. hosted a Filipino Martial Arts weekend seminar
in Tinley Park, IL. Master Bruce, Sensei Dave, Sue, Ryan, and TJ attended
this educational and fun event. The weekend was sponsored by Sensei Dave
Greco. Hanshi Bruce Juchnik shared some excellent techniques and history.
February 15
Midwest Martial Arts
Sensei Ken Kuzel hosted
the grand opening of his dojo, Midwest Martial Arts, in Indianapolis,
Indiana. His partner is Sensei Don Clift. Master Bruce and Sensei Dave
were guests of honor at a special event celebrating the exciting opening
of the new dojo. The new school is a member of the United States Black
Belt Association. It was a great party with grand demonstrations and good
cheer. Sensei Ken, Sandan, is a certified Winning Edge black belt instructor.
October 14 – 17
International Ju
Jitsu Hall of Fame
Sensei’s Dave Scorza and Mitch Matrasko represented Winning Edge
Martial Arts at the International Ju Jitsu Hall of Fame in San Juan, Puerto
Rico in October. The weekend included demonstrations, seminars, a black
tie reception, and finished with a championship tournament. We were guests
of Professor Jedan Figueroa, head of the Jedan Ryu Jujitsu system. Master
Gunderson was awarded National Instructor of the Year. Sensei Dave won
the Instructor of the Year and Sensei Mitch was Competitor of the Year.
Grandmaster
Charles Czochara Awarded 10th Dan
Dr. Muang Gi and Grandmaster Fred Degerberg awarded Grandmaster Charles
Czochara the rank of 10th day. Several pictures are provided on the Pictures
page. Congratulations sir!
Black Belt Review
Boards
Review Boards for the ranks of Shodan and Nidan were held on two Saturdays
this summer. The first was July 24 followed by August 21. Both were enlightening
events. Congratulations to Sensei Michelle DeLaRosa, Sandan (3rd degree),
Sensei Sue Garstki, Nidan (2nd degree), and Sensei Patrick Cunningham,
Nidan (2nd degree). Thank you to all the Senseis for participating on
the Review Boards. These were some of the best rank tests Winning Edge
has ever had. Be sure to congratulate them on their achievements. We look
forward to their continued dedication and future opportunities to share
their knowledge with everyone at the dojo.
Illinois Combat Karate
Organization Hall of Fame
Sensei Bruce, along with Senseis Dave Scorza and Mitch Matrasko, attended
the Illinois Combat Karate Organization Hall of Fame weekend in Springfield,
Illinois. There were demonstrations, seminars, rank promotions, and a
wonderful black tie dinner celebration. We were fortunate to accompany
Soke Giovani Acevedo, who is from Puerto Rico, to and from the event.
King of the Ring
Tournaments
The King of the Ring tournaments began February 21st, with subsequent
competitions in March, April, May and June, at which time the 1/2 year
King of the Ring will be announced. The second half of competition took
place in August, September, October and November. We are proud that two
of the division champions for 2003 & again in 2004 in the King of
the Ring competition are our own Ani and Igor Karlicic! Congratulations
to both of you! We are glad to have you on our side.
January 24th
Welcome Our Newest
Black Belts
Congratulations are in order for Ryan Mitacek, Ani and Igor Karlicic,
and Randen and Cheyenne Troche, who successfully completed their testing
and were awarded their Shodan Black Belts!
January 17 & 18
Numerado Arnis and
Serrada Escrima Seminar
The Numerado Arnis and Serrada Escrima Seminar at the Tinley Park
Convention Center was well attended and quite enlightening. Hanshi Bruce
Juchnik of Kosho Shorei Ryu Kenpo demonstrated the Phillipine arts and
taught all in attendance several concepts of the systems. A tremendous
"hands-on" learning experience.
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