Weekend filled with martial arts

The world of martial arts, is one filled with honor, respect, practice and education. As various levels of achievement are reached they are recognized and honored by those students several levels above.

So it was on the weekend of March 9. During a weekend filled with self-defense seminars being taught to various age groups, visiting guest instructor Grandmaster John Pellegrini took time out from teaching to present awards to many of the martial arts students associated with the Tehachapi Martial Arts Center. TMAC was founded and owned for the last 27 years by Grandmaster Ivan Jadric. The following is a list of recipients:

• Carey Danielson – 1st degree level black belt.

• Logan Odneal – 2nd degree level black belt.

• Maria Jadric – 2nd degree level black belt.

• Joe Torres – 2nd degree level black belt.

• Mark Oskay – 3rd degree level black belt.

• Jeff Berchtold – 4th degree level black belt.

A truly remarkable level of achievement was awarded to 20 year martial arts student Derek Demus as he achieved his 5th degree black belt. Demus also received a plaque awarding him status "Master of the Art".

All these achievements are only possible through the passage of time, study, moral and physical fortitude, and love of the martial arts discipline.

The weekend began on Friday with a youth-oriented "Anti-bully Seminar" and workshop. Following on Saturday morning, a "Women's Self Awareness and Defense" seminar taught by visiting Master Trina Pellegrini. Saturday afternoon nearly 50 people attended Grandmaster John Pellegrini, and his mixed gender seminar on basic self-defense.

TMAC is located at 20418 Brian Way Ste. 6-3, Tehachapi. TMAC offers classes in Tae Kwon Do, Combat Hapkido, Tai Chi, Kung Fu, Women's Self Defense and Yoga. For more information please call (661) 823-0621.