Belts, Burpees, and Big News: A Night to Remember!

Last Thursday night at the dojo was an absolute whirlwind—a jam-packed evening filled with incredible energy, a few unexpected twists, and some truly inspirational surprises! It was a night that perfectly showcased the spirit, dedication, and heart of our martial arts family.

Stripes of Success for Mom and Son

The excitement kicked off early with our family class. We want to send a massive congratulations to a dedicated mom and her son who earned their very first orange stripes! Seeing family members share this journey and celebrate these early milestones together is what the family class is all about. What a fantastic way to start the evening!

The Grading: Sparring First!

Next up was the adult grading, and Shihan had a special plan!

A friendly reminder from Shihan Ray: Always come early and warm up!

Why? Because Shihan jumped right into the most intense part of the grading: Sparring!

The tension and excitement was high as our students fought hard for their next ranks. Huge cheers for:

• Jean-Michel, who fought with incredible heart for his Blue Belt.

• Kayla, Maddy, and Danika, who displayed amazing strength and technique to earn their Green Belts.

Everyone gave their absolute all and demonstrated the warrior spirit we teach at the dojo. Amazing work, everyone!

The "Twist" of Fitness

Just when they thought the hard part was over, Shihan added a little "twist" to the fitness portion! This wasn't just a standard workout; it was a full-out challenge that tested everyone's endurance:

• Intense cardio drills

• Jumping squats and burpees

• Push-ups and the infamous belt hookups (an extra fun challenge!)

It was tough, but the dedication and teamwork shown by everyone were truly inspiring!

The Surprising Showstoppers

The biggest, most heartwarming surprise of the night came after the grading! We were treated to an unforgettable demonstration by two legendary figures.

First, Grand Master Ron Cormier, at an amazing 80 years young, showcased his formidable power and precision by making short work of a metal bucket! His demonstration was a powerful reminder that true strength and skill only grow with time and dedication.

Then, we cheered on Ronnie, a 79-year-old Green Belt, who had some "unfinished business" with a breaking technique. With focus, determination, and absolutely zero hesitation, he was successful this time! The pure joy and triumph on his face (and the applause from everyone present) was the perfect ending to the evening. Ronnie proves it is never too late to achieve your goals!

❄️ The Ice Breaking Challenge is On!

In a very special moment, Grand Master Ron Cormier officially passed the "Ice Breaking Torch" to Senpai Casey! This means Senpai Casey will be training hard and getting ready for a huge ice-breaking event coming up in 2026. Let's cheer him on as he prepares!

Organization Leadership is Super Strong!

We also have some major news about our amazing leaders! Please join us in a huge round of applause for:

• Shihan Stéphane Marcotte, who is our Canadian Branch Chief!

• Shihan Ray Cormier, who is officially our North American Branch Chief for the next four years!

This means the leadership for our Canadian and North American dojos is incredibly strong, helping all of us grow and get better every day! Congratulations to both Shihan Stéphane and Shihan Ray!

What a night of high-kicks, hard work, and powerful inspiration! Thank you to everyone who came out to support, grade, and celebrate.

SHHH! Big Secret Celebration This Thursday! 

Hey Team! Guess what? This coming Thursday night is going to be EXTRA awesome! We are planning a huge celebration for one very special person in our dojo family!

Who is it? What are we celebrating? It's a secret for now! You'll have to come to class this week or check back for the next blog post for the big reveal!

DON'T MISS OUT! See you all on Thursday!