March 9, 2016 at 3:49 p.m.
Martial artists learn different styles at seminar
Martial artists learn different styles at seminar
By Kayla Thomason-
A total of 71 individuals of various levels attended the event, practicing in several forms of martial arts, including Fu Chen Kung Fu, Shotokan Karate and Aikido, among others.
"We share all our knowledge with all the students and we have quite a conglomeration of different martial arts, at least a dozen different styles represented here, some very respected masters in their field," said William Fpenca, Sigung and host of the seminar, who noted he was pleased with the turnout.
Each session lasted roughly 45 minutes to an hour.
Students learned how to redirect an opponents' energy, staff work (weapons), how to chamber and execute various techniques and the footwork involved.
Shelly Balczewski, a blue belt in Shokido Karate, has been at the seminars for six years.
"It's a lot of fun and we learn a lot," she said.
In one of the sessions she they worked on spacial awareness.
Balczewski thought the seminar was great, she met a lot of people and learned the differences and similarities in the various martial arts.
Michael LaRonge, a nidan (second degree black belt) in Aikido instructed the students.
"They're doing great," he said enthusiastically. "It really is kind of a different beast than a lot of what they're used to - Karate and Kung Fu and a lot of those are vary similar, similar strikes - so some of this is a little foreign to them."
Joshua Doro, student in Fu Chen Kung Fu, has attended four seminars.
"I find it very nice, actually," he said. "It's a very nice way to learn other styles."
He liked Aikido quite a bit, and liked the atmosphere everyone created.
"It's a great place and people are just great here, it's like a big family," Doro said.
Quinn Godfrey, student in Shotokan Karate also liked Aikido, and how everyone is treated at the seminars.
"I really like all the people here, they're all nice and they treat people with respect," he said.
Stephen Sorensen, who practices Shotokan Karate Do, was the guest speaker.
At the end of the seminar he shared what he learned in his 29 years of martial arts and the knowledge his instructors passed down to him.
"Their lessons are still with me and it's my duty and obligation and legacy to pass those lessons on to others," he said.
He was thankful that the founders had the foresight to create this organization.
"We are very fortunate in this organization that we belong to that the founders of this organization had the wisdom to see the coming together of different styles - Chinese styles, Korean styles, Japanese styles, wherever - that we can all learn and gain from each other," he said.
The North Central Instructors Black Belt Federation has been held in the Rhinelander area for over 30 years, but has held it at the high school for 27 years.
Kayla Breese may be reached at [email protected].
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