Lake Havasu City…Lake Havasu Black Belt Academy is pleased to announce the induction of co-founders Scott and Juanita (Nita) Brown into the United States Kali Association, Inc, 2008 Filipino Martial Arts Hall of Fame, headquartered in El Paso, Texas.
Three time Hall of Famer himself, Western Region Vice-President, Michigan native, Lake Havasu Resident since 2002 and instructor to the Browns, Greg Reband presented both awards recently at the Lake Havasu Black Belt Academy, 3650 Challenger Drive.
Scott Brown, 2008 Instructor of the Year, Western Region United States Kali Association Vice President Greg Reband, Nikki Brown and Casie Brown.
Reband presented Scott Brown a plaque to recognize Scott as 2008 “INSTRUCTOR OF THE YEAR.”
Reband presented Casie and Nikki Brown, daughters, a plaque to recognize Nita Brown, (now deceased) as 2008 “OUTSTANDING STUDENT OF THE YEAR IN MEMORIAM.” Mrs. Brown died in October of 2007.
The Filipino Martial Arts Hall of Fame is sponsored by the United States Kali Association, Inc, and Filipino-American School of Combat Arts, 10304 Dyer St, El Paso, Texas.
Grandmaster/Director Tuhon/Dr. Gaudiosa Ruby and Executive Director, Gary L. Ruby have personally instructed the Browns in the Comjuka-Kali Martial Arts both in Lake Havasu and in Texas.
Scott Brown began his Martial Arts training in 1999 with ATA (American Taekwondo Association) and achieved his 1st degree Black belt in 2003; his 2nd degree Black belt in 2005. Scott began training with Greg Reband in 2004, the year he and Nita opened their Black Belt Academy. Scott earned his Kali instructor ranking and continues to teach at Lake Havasu Black Belt Academy.
Kali Students Glen Bohannon and Patrick Killick practice.
Juanita (Dukes) Brown began her Martial Arts training in 1999 with ATA, achieving her 1st degree Black Belt in 2002; her 2nd degree Black Belt in 2004. Nita began her Kali instruction in 2004 and continued until her death.
In addition to being a Master and Instructor in Comjuka-Kali Greg Reband is a 3rd degree Black Belt in Taekwondo, a 2nd Degree Black Belt and instructor in Tai Chi, a 1st Degree Black Belt in Ba Gua, a 1st Degree Black Belt in Hsing-I. Reband is familiar with the Filipino Martial Arts Hall of Fame having been inducted himself three times:
2004 Student of the Year
2006 Instructor of the Year
2007 Kali Practitioner of the Year.
Located at 3650 Challenger Drive, Lake Havasu Black Belt Academy is affiliated with and licensed through ATA, the American Taekwondo Association, Little Rock, Arkansas. The driving theme of the ATA is “Creating Tomorrow’s Leaders One Black Belt at a Time.”
Programs available from ATA appeal to all ages: Tiny Tigers (for 3 to 6 year olds,) Karate for Kids (for ages 7 to 12) and Songahm Taekwondo (for ages 13 and older).
The ATA system uses nine levels (or grades) of color belts to train toward the First Degree Black Belt. There are nine degrees of Black Belt Achievement with ATA.
ATA Certified Instructor/Owner Karen Fresh is a Fourth Degree Taekwondo Black Belt who has been in training since 1995.
For more information, call 453-0515 or check online at www.LakeHavasuBlackBeltAcademy.com
