Karate news
7 men advance as Black Belts
28/09/2006ZANESVILLE - Every few years, the Coszacks Karate Club of Zanesville produces a Black Belt or two. Thirty-one in all have obtained the rank of Black Belt in the club during ceremonies at the club on Olde Falls Road.
A couple of Saturdays ago, they had an amazing seven men advance in degrees.
ADVERTISEMENT
They included Bob Hall, 2nd Degree; Butch Morgan, 3rd Degree; Master Jeff Hardwick, 6th Degree; Jeff Moore, 7th Degree; Brad Seward, 2nd Degree; Larry Allen, 4th Degree, and Greg Potts, 4th Degree. Moore has over 40 years of training and Hardwick, who runs the Coszacks program, has put in over 35 years of training.
"It has been many, many years since we have had any degrees on Black Belts," Hardwick said. "Then, to have seven qualify at one time is truly remarkable in our club."
More than 150 people were in attendance and 13 Black Belts attended the ceremonies. Club founder Moore flew in from Kansas to take part; others came from as far away as Michigan and Cincinnati.
"Obtaining degrees on top of that first Black Belt takes many more years of dedication and devotion to the martial arts, and our club in particular," Hardwick said. "It is a policy that a Black Belt obtains the 1st Degree at the completion of his test, then is eligible for a 2nd Degree two years from that date, then if promoted to that rank is again eligible for a 3rd Degree three years from the date of the 2nd Degree, and so on.
"Not that many Black Belts go on to obtain additional degrees because of the time involved and the training, or they simply lose interest."
Having obtained his 6th Degree Black Belt, Hardwick said he's not finished yet.
"I am very truly honored to have been actively involved in the Coszacks Karate Club, and hope to be able to do another 35 years and obtain a 10th Degree Black Belt one day," he said.
For more information on the Coszacks Karate Club, go to their Website at www.CoszacksKarate.com. Or call Hardwick at 683-KICK.
Provided by www.zanesvilletimesrecorder.com
Back
