Awards
In 2008, Black Belt Magazine inducted Metamora Martial Arts into their Hall of Fame for TWO awards. The first was Best Children's Program, for our unique and inexpensive district-wide martial arts program. The second was Best Humanitarian Act, for our Relay for Life Break-a-thon we do for the American Cancer Society.
In addition to the awards given to us, we also take the time to reward individual students for their contributions and progress.
Pictures from many of these events can be found in our photo gallery.
Deshi - Apprentice, Disciple, "Younger Brother"
A deshi (pronounced DAY-shee) is the transition from an assistant instructor to a full sensei. They are a person who is truly qualified to carry "the way" of our Shuri-ryu by displaying their dedication and willingness to pass on their knowledge.
November 25, 2006 - Adam Ulbricht
March 31, 2008 - Amanda Dixon
December 17, 2008 - Thomas Deters
June 5, 2009 - Adam Bockler and Justin Knobeloch
Joshu - Assistant Instructor
A joshu (pronounced JO-shu) is the first step for an instructor. Literally translated to "assistant instructor", a joshu is a black belt instructor of Metamora Martial Arts. In order to become a joshu, a student must have successfully completed the black belt test (minimum first-degree) and show a true passion to continue teaching and helping other students.
December 2004 - Adam Ulbricht
January 2005 - Jason Szewczyk
August 2005 - Amanda Dixon
August 2005 - Jessica Duffy
July 2006 - Thomas Deters
August 2006 - Neil Kirchoefer
September 2, 2006 - Aaron Ruder
October 22, 2006 - Adam Bockler
December 27, 2006 - Justin Knobeloch
Sempai - Senior Under-Black Student
The sempai (pronounced SEM-pie) is the senior student under black belt, and should be addressed as such. A student holds this award until becoming a black belt, when they should be addressed as joshu.
December 18, 2003 - Adam Ulbricht
December 18, 2004 - Jason Szewczyk
August 2005 - Neil Kirchoefer
September 2, 2006 - Adam Bockler
October 22, 2006 - Justin Knobeloch
December 27, 2006 - Daisy Breitbarth
December 17, 2008 - Tony Herr
December 17, 2009 - Andy Seidel
Bushi-Do Award - The Way of the Warrior
Several students are usually up for this award, which is given for outstanding dedication to the program. Something is special about the individuals who earn this award.
2002 - Adam Ulbricht
2003 - Jason Szewczyk
2004 - Amanda Dixon
2005 - Aaron Ruder
2006 - Adam Bockler
2007 - Thomas Deters
2008 - Justin Knobeloch
Most Improved Student
The most improved student shows a signifcant increase in dedication and performance during the past year.
2002 - Amanda Dixon
2003 - Aaron Ruder
2004 - Daisy Breitbarth & Thomas Deters
2005 - Adam Bockler
2006 - Mark Craig (High School) and Alex Schertz (Grade School)
2007 - Tiffany Robertson
2008 - Adair Rodriguez (MTHS), Jake Pfister (MGS), Rachel Arnold (RGS), Bridget Bryning (Germantown)
Most Dedicated Beginner Student
This white belt receives the award for how much dedication and passion early on in their martial arts career.
2006 - Clay Blum & Roger Crow
2007 - Trinidad Marin & Adair Rodriguez
2008 - Melanie Davis
Most Improved Beginner Student
This white belt has come the farthest in improving him- or herself since they began.
2005 - Tony Herr
2006 - Andy Seidel
2007 - Bianca Kamm
Best Black Belt Instructor
2005 was the first time this award could be given, with four black belts to choose from. Like the previous award, this is also voted upon by the students.
2005 - Amanda Dixon
2006 - Adam Ulbricht
2007 - Adam Bockler
2008 - Adam Ulbricht
Best Assistant Instructor
These students are voted by their peers as the best assistant instructor. They are under black belt.
2004 - Amanda Dixon
2005 - Adam Bockler
2006 - Daisy Breitbarth
2007 - Clay Blum
2008 - Andy Seidel
Dragon
This student shows the most spirit and enthusiasm in the program.
2005 - Adam Ulbricht
2006 - Thomas Deters
2007 - Tony Herr
2008 - Adair Rodriguez
Snake
This is the student who fits in anywhere. This person helps teach and learn with all students. He or she is always happy, has no enemies, and really clicks with everyone in the program.
2005 - Amanda Dixon
2006 - Tony Herr
2007 - Amanda Dixon (dan) and Meaghan Gove (kyu)
2008 - Chris Schirer
Crane
This martial artist is the strongest. The Crane is humble, but when forced to attack, does so swiftly and aggressively.
2005 - David Bess
2006 - Adam Bockler
2007 - Adam Ulbricht (dan) and Brandon Sassaman (kyu)
2008 - Tony Herr
Leopard
This student makes the most balance of life. He or she manages to make the most balance out of the activities they are involved with and with life in general.
2005 - Ted Gove
2006 - Justin Knobeloch
2007 - Thomas Deters (dan) and Maggie Fandel (kyu)
2008 - Caitlan Rohman
Tiger
The Tiger has the strength of Fire. Fire is like a bomb; it explodes on an opponent without hesitation. It is also intimidating, putting fear into the opponent. Nobody should mess with the Tiger because it is the person you would want defending you on the street.
2005 - Daisy Breitbarth
2006 - Daisy Breitbarth
2007 - Adam Bockler (dan) and Mark Craig (kyu)
2008 - Thomas Deters
Choki Motobu Award
Choki Motobu is said to have been a very physical and dominating personality in our Shuri-ryu lineage. In 2007 we added an award for those who stuck out particular during our conditioning workouts.
2007 - Clay Blum
2008 - Adair Rodriguez
Warai Warrior
Loosely translated from Japanese, the Warai Warrior is crucial in keeping the Metamora Martial Artists bonded as a unit through the powerful tool of laughter. 2008 was the first year this award was offered.
2008 - Tiffany Robertson
Best XMA Music
This award was given to the person with the best mix CD/playlist to listen to while doing XMA.
2004 - Jason Szewczyk
2008 - Jake Potter
"Black Belt" Parents
This award was given to parents who devoted an exceptional amount of time to the program. We thank them for their contributions for demos, tournaments, and everything else they do to keep the program running smoothly.
2004 - Jim & Denise Deters, Tena Ulbricht, Marjorie Dixon, Janet Duffy, and Jacki Groth
2006 - Jim & Denise Deters, Jim & Kathy Herr, Dawn Bryning, Michelle Hayden, Kourtney Walker, Christy Smith, Tracy Arnold, Corina Smith, Ellen Breitbarth, Missy Egli, Holly Lynn, Angela Odum, Sheryl Robertson, Nancy Martin, Lynn Craig, Theresa Kells, Bob & Brenda Schertz, John & Peggy Bockler, Kirsten Love, Karen Bell, and Susan Robertson
Grand Champion - Sparring
The Grand Champion won his or her division and won a single-elimination tournament with the winners of every other division. This was for our original in-house annual tournament.
2002 - Adam Ulbricht
2003 - Megun Siefken
2004 - Jason Szewczyk
2005 - Daisy Breitbarth
2006 - Mark Craig (High School) and Jim Craig (Grade School)
Best Competitor - Forms
The Best Forms competitor displayed the best form at our now-retired in-house annual tournament.
2002 - Derek McAllister, Joe Maubach, and Julia Hovey
2003 - Jason Szewczyk, Jessica Duffy, and Joe Maubach
2004 - Adam Ulbricht and Thomas Deters
2005 - Thomas Deters and Ted Gove
2006 - Daisy Breitbarth
Best Competitor - Overall
The Best Overall competitor competed in a variety of events at our original in-house annual tournament and placed well in all of them.
2003 - Matt Katch
2004 - Jason Szewczyk
2005 - Daisy Breitbarth
2006 - Daisy Breithbarth (High School) and Jim Craig (Grade School)