Spin Kick

A slow motion video of spin kick by a student of the school. (displayed with permission).

Board Breaking Day

Yes, another day of students making kindling.  A great time was had by all in what was the most challenging breaking event we have held to date. Students vied to out do each other in a friendly round of board breaking with each trying to show off their best techniques. All in all about one hundred boards were broken at the event. Some students even raised the bar by doing board breaking while blind-folded. Disappointingly, no one yelled "Marco!" But to the students credit they all found their marks on the first try. It was a great event and a lot of fun, we will hold the next event on April 9th.

Test Results

We had another successful series of exams for our students. Both children and adults advanced in rank with several students performing outstandingly. The test consisted of examination of basics, combinations, sparring and poomse. The last part of the testing was board breaking with students executing required and choice techniques to demonstrate speed, power and acuracy. Several students surprisingly did more than break the boards but shattered them into pieces with outstanding power.

Master Otieno is very pleased with the results and congratulates all who passed.

Next exam is scheduled for June.

3/12 testing

Belt testing is next weekend. Students who want to participate need to have the testing request form filled out and signed. (see Vincent) Over the past several weeks Vincent has spent quite a bit of time with students working on their basics so we will be expecting a very high level of skill. Students should know the poomse required for your rank. For certain ranks board breaking will be required so focus those punches and kicks.
Testing should start about 10 AM on Saturday. Parents and Relatives are welcome and encouraged to observe.  Don't forget to bring your cameras.

Testing soon!

Students are reminded that belt testing is just around the corner (3/12). Students and parents need to let the office know if they are participating in this round of testing. Please see Vincent for "Testing request" form. Complete this form along with testing fees before the test date.

Board Breaking day

Tomorrow (Sat) is the 2nd board breaking session being held in the school. As before we are running it as a small competition to see who is the best and creative in their board breaking. Readers may wonder why board breaking? Simple, for WTF it is a requirement to demonstrate speed, accuracy and power. Board breaking is used in more advanced tests and at most all tournaments. Students need to develop keen skills to be able to perform successfully through a gauntlet of board breaking. Testing involves breaking boards at multiple locactions with a wide variety of techniques and heights. Advanced students will need to reach heights of 8-10 feet with their kicks breaking 3-4 boards with front kicks. Already our 10 yr olds can easily reach over 6 foot high.  Our board holders now are standing on anothers shoulders to get enough height.
We wonder what student will be the first to kick out a ceiling tile?! Board breaking will begin about 9:30 AM.

2011 Calendar

2011 Otieno Martial Arts School Calendar


January
22nd - OMAC school tournament

February
19th - Board Breaking
21st/22nd - Bring Friend to class day

March
12th - Belt Testing
19th - Board Breaking
25th - Belt Test make up exam
26th - MJA Karate tournament

April
9th - Board Breaking
29th - Parents night out

May
21st - Open House

June
4th - Belt Testing
6th/7th - Bring Friend to class day
18th - End of school year party and board Breaking
25th - Belt test make up exam

July
2,3,4 - School closed
16th - Otieno school tournament

August
12th - Parents night out
20th - Open house

September
10th - Belt Test
17th - Belt test Makeup exam
24th - Board Breaking

October
3rd/4th - Bring Friend to class day
8th - Parent meeting for Lowell tournament
22nd - Halloween Party

November
6th - Open Masters Championship (tentative date)
7th - Post championship party
19th - Board Breaking
24th Thanksgiving - school closed

December
3rd - Belt Testing
9th - Parents night out
13th - Xmas party
24th/25th - Xmas - School closed

Notice: Dates subject to change always check with the school.

Mini-tournament

The school held its first mini-tournamnet this past Saturday. The purpose was to introduce the tournament environment to all students of the school. Although it was a internal-school only competition. it was run and operated just like a full blown sancitioned event. We had several parents who have been trained over the past several months to perform a judges. The events were judged on WTF rules. The event ran a bit over two hours. In the end winners were awarded trophies and everyone gained a useful experience. We plan on having another event in a few months. Congratulations to all trophy winners.