Congratulations! 2014 New Black Sashes

" We are proud of Hwa Rang Do's special and specific identity. The honorable
integrity of our martial art is different than other generic martial arts! "


We would like to congratulate and welcome the new 2014 class of Hwa Rang Do® Black Sashes into this special echelon of practitioners within this specific and unique martial art Hwa Rang Do®. The achievement of a Dan degree rank in Hwa Rang Do® is something that instills pride, especially when one reflects on the state of Dan Degree ranking within the general martial art community at large. At a time when multitudes of people "promote" themselves, make their own fake certificates or buy educational certificates, and yes even make up their own style names with techniques stolen from other arts, the achievement of Dan ranking through actually progressing through a martial art's curriculum and earning rank through the fulfillment of each Dan's continued education requirements, required years, and testing is a statement and reminder to everyone of what the martial art way is all about.

The martial art community has grown so fast in its population, and as a result has lost focus of a martial "way," common rules, or any kind of honored spirit regarding its identity. And in following, these foundations that define any particular martial art, have not been taught to the majority of practitioners continuing modern degrading trends. Sure, on an individual basis some schools and masters still teach these kinds of traditional values, however the majority of schools operate in similar fashion to a plain old retail stores. With a focus on profit, quality control is often left at the wayside, and multitudes of individuals go through most martial arts without manifesting the true spirit of training within. Again the result and obviousness of this fact is in plain site. These people do not fulfill their true requirements, titles such as master and grandmaster are thrown around like leaves in the wind, and what is even more sad is the fact that these individuals have students who go out and do the same - make their own retail stores with no connection to their roots and art's hierarchy.

There is more to a "martial art" than just teaching a person how to kick, punch, and grapple. If all that is taught are physical skills, there is no difference between that person and a gangster. However, because this has become common place and honor is lost, the general public no longer has respect for the generic martial art community. It is hard to find that which should be most prominent - true martial spirit.

What is that piece of paper and title worth, if you haven't truly earned it from your martial art's sole governing organization, its founder, and master`s testing committee? Or rather is it obtained from an unqualified teacher like so many generic arts? Obviously for many people, the emptiness of these kinds of "titles" and degrees have given the illusion of value. For more money and the additional quantity of practitioners, quality and moral respect have been sacrificed. Can you be proud of your Dan Degree? One can be proud of a true degree only, which is why we strongly protect the honor of our rank from those who take the generic art approach.

The individuals who have broken away from their original art`s roots and their true masters no longer have the credibility to use the name "martial art." While their retail store operates under the umbrella of the martial art business, and sells belts for learning a couple techniques, they do not reflect the values of what it means to be a martial artist and have in fact caused the disintegration of their martial art identity. Breaking off, piece by piece is what has occurred, and because of this, the integrity of the whole is no longer present. On the other hand Hwa Rang Do rank and its quality are maintained based on the adherence to our specific laws and regulations (all of which are posted on this site here), as well as action in regards to those individuals who violate these laws. From those in the general public who try to steal our degrees or even those from within that do not abide by these basic rules, if a person does not meet the standards they cannot be allowed to have rank plain and simple. Please refer to the Judicial section of this site for further information about the punishment and action regarding this kind of public fraud for violating individuals.

The true Hwarangdoist develops harmony of a strong body, a strong mind, and a strong spirit.

Loyalty, Respect, Honor.

These three principles are basic components of morality and are inherent in all martial arts. However, when an individual betrays his master, breaks away from his martial art, forms a "new style," uses the name(s) of other genuine martial arts, mixes techniques from other disciplines, uses a fake rank and title, and then professes to teach a Martial Art,. . . . the absurdity of this should be obvious. How can one blatantly break all three of these fundamental principles of the martial arts, and then claim to be a martial art instructor or master? These individuals have potentially only learned how to kick and punch. They know nothing of the basic martial way, nothing of Loyalty, Respect, or Honor, and what they teach will be empty of these virtues as well. In all likelihood, their students will inherit their instructor's lack of virtue and in turn break away from him to follow their own small profit. Then each of these proud martial art names will have become generic terms, and their martial art will not have any sense of loyalty, respect, nor honor.

Truly following moral virtue is imperative for a martial art practitioner. Loyalty of an art's practitioners should never be given to any one man or teacher, and especially one who damages the value of the art by stealing rank or any other such negative activity. Loyalty must be given to the specific art of that practitioner, just as loyalty is given by the citizen to his/her country. For example, a senator/congressman is equally accountable under the law as a regular citizen and must be punished for not abiding by the principles of their country. In this same fashion, a master/instructor must be punished for breaking or damaging their martial art's laws and principles. Respect must be given to the procedures and culture of a martial art, or all meaningful value is lost in the state of dangerous anarchy that is left behind. Finally, Honor is found in the quality of your relationship with your martial art identity. The practitioner and the art will stand proudly when based upon actions and service that are good and just.

As the general public knows, a martial art must consist of moral virtue. The liars within the martial art community have attempted to corrupt the true martial spirit for their own benefit. While they claim to teach Loyalty, Respect, and Honor, these principles are used to create their own puppeteers which serve their purposes. Many of these kinds of individuals have created their own organizations. A one man, one school, organization which sells fake certificates and false rank for its own financial profit. You may even find impostors who don't even operate from a school or academy setting, merely operating from a P.O. box address with a website as a front. These people sell junk videos and fake certificates as if they are operating some kind of organization or style of martial art.

This fact is commonplace, especially when searching the internet. "Martial Art" categories are filled with hundreds of different styles, which are each filled with thousands of different schools, names, and organizations just like retail stores under one art name. However, the truth that exists in these sites pales in comparison to the quantity of information which is posted. Most sites under the same art name contain quite conflicting histories, and different techniques. Everyone wants to appear as the "I am best" in order to gain the largest quantity and profit. However, the sad fact is these people have no shame for these actions, despite the fact it will eventually destroy the martial arts society along with themselves. We have even discovered a professional looking internet site from a 13 year-old boy who made up a style name, included a list of some technical requirements, and even called himself the founder. This was a joke to him, yet it is not funny and shows how easily one can represent themselves in a misleading way to the public.

These actions only stain genuine martial arts, and that is why Hwa Rang Do® has implemented many procedures over the years to ensure we are not left with blemishes. Hwa Rang Do® is the original Korean martial art, and its name was publicly founded in 1960, yet it has a smaller quantity of practitioners, black Sashes, and schools when compared to generic arts(display tham self any ranks or titles) like Japanese Karate Do, Ju Do, Ju jitsu, Aiki Do, Chinese wushu, Kung-fu, Korean Hapki Do and Taekwon Do which were founded in
1) 1961 Hapki Do from Japanese Daitoryu Yawara or Daitoryu Aiki jujitsu and
2) 1965 Taekwon Do from Gong Soo Do and Tang Soo Do- Japanese Karate Do respectively.
In the present world, martial arts instruction has business needs as well; therefore Hwa Rang Do® have obtained an international trademark registration as a means to maintain our integrity and name volue within general society, and the establishment of rules and regulations governed by the World Hwa Rang Do® Association as a means of internal maintenance and administration. The priority of a true martial art must be the integrity of its practitioners, black sashes, instructors and masters, and integrity is based on moral virtue. That is why moral virtues such as Loyalty, Respect, and Honor are held in such high regard within a martial art. If a practitioner does not posses these virtues they will not only become a dangerous member of society, but the entire martial art will suffer from their actions.

If you have truly progressed through your art's syllabus, and have truly earned your rank from the traditional roots that your art was founded with - be proud! - as we are proud of the individuals listed below, for they have proven themselves, understand martial art morality, and deserve their new rank. Those of you readers who understand true martial spirit, we encourage you to act, fight back against those who harm the our martial art community. Like those listed below it is our responsibility to clean up our martial art society so that our arts will be passed to the future generations. Thanks to those who have acted Hwa Rang Do® has survived to the present day with integrity, now it is our duty to ensure that this art will be passed on with integrity to the future and remain a specific martial art identity for the next thousand years and more!

A Hwa Rang Do Black Sash

 

1. This person's certificate is an official document issued by Supreme Grandmaster(Dojoo Nim) and Hwa Rang Do® World Headquarters testing committee and one and only governing organization in the world, the World Hwa Rang Do® Association, recognizing Black Sash degree Dan in the original Korean Martial and Healing art of
Hwa Rang Do®.

2. As a degree Dan holder (Black Sash) one must always uphold a high moral repute and exemplify a model citizen of the country as well as maintaining one`s honor. He or she must also obey and respect the rules and etiquette inherent in the art and uphold these values with pride and justice.

3. A degree Dan holder in Hwa Rang Do® shall bear in mind that justice is heavier than a mountain and evil is lighter than a feather.

4. A degree Dan holder in Hwa Rang Do® shall pledge to be a pioneer in promoting patriotism and loyalty to parents and further pledge to respect teachers, maintain unswerving trust, foster the spirit of obedience to law and public justice, observe the rules and regulations of the World Hwa Rang Do Association and loyalty to Hwa Rang Do®.

5. Hwa Rang Do® is a Philosophical search for the truth in the cosmos and nature as well as the development of one self within society to enrich Humanity and this should be adopted into the soul of all Hwa Rang Do® Black Sashes.

6. A degree Dan holder in Hwa Rang Do® shall adhere to the five principles of the Hwa Rang Do® code of ethics.
1) Sa Gun E Choong - Loyalty to one`s country.
2) Sa Chin E Hyo - Loyalty to one`s parents and teachers.
3) KyoWoo E Shin - Trust and brotherhood among friends.
4) Im Jun Moo Twei - Courage never to retreat in the face of the enemy.
5) Sal Seang Yoo Taek - Justice never to take a life without a cause.
Furthermore, follow the instructions derived from the founder's nine principles of human morality to be a perfect practitioner.

7. All degree Dan holders hereon shall be recognized as indicated and eligible to practice and continue education at any of the Hwa Rang Do® Academies existing throughout the world.

8. All Black Sashes have learned the Founder's skills and now have a proud Hwa Rang Do® identity. Now, a priority must be placed on loyalty to Hwa Rang Do® and following your art`s rules and laws. You must keep your honor and your benefit derived from Hwa Rang Do® dedications.

9. All societies and nature have rules. These are not for the benefit of one man, but rather for the success of that society.

10. Nobody can be allowed to break these laws and rules, including you or your instructor/masters. If your instructor/master breaks these laws and rules you must respectfully correct him/her.

11. If you are a student of a instructor/master who breaks these laws and rules, and is expelled or leaves Hwa Rang Do®, you must never follow this dishonorable path. That instructor/master no longer deserves your respect, because that respect was based on his relationship with our art's honor.

12. All degree dan holders must proudly protect and save the integrity, honor, value, and reputation of our art, founder, and masters from individuals who produce false accusations and other damaging intent.

13. If, for any reason you leave Hwa Rang Do® and begin practice in another martial art, you are no longer an authorized Hwa Rang Do® member or leader. You must never teach and mix the skills and concepts you learned in Hwa Rang Do® systems to with your new martial art style. These specific Hwa Rang Do® techniques that you have trained in are only for your own personal benefit/self-defense, and not to teach others under any business enterprise. This way respect is given to both martial art identities and neither system is damaged.

14. Remember that achieving your current rank is not an end to your training. While you can choose to stop training with a 1st dan degree, you may also choose to continue with further education. Many generic arts no longer have technical material after 1st Dan degree, which is one of the reasons why they steal higher degrees and ranks from other arts. However Hwa Rang Do® has additional training requirements just like a college education through 7th Dan degree, with a physical testing in front of the art's founder and testing committee of the WHRDA.

15.Whoever receives a Degree Dan and does not continue his/her education into the next level has only graduated the color sash ranks, so in reality the actual rank finished is a completion of all color sashes techniques. These Dan degree holders need to rejoin into there Dan degree program, and then continue to do so for each additional dan degree, even up to 7th degree.

16.Whoever has received a Black Sash degree, yet does not paid duty of our Hwa Rang Do® governing organization WHRDA with their respective annual fees can not, and will not, be updated on any personal information nor their rank will be upgraded.

17. Whoever steels the Hwa Rang Do name, Hwa Rang Do ranks/titles, Hwa Rang Do general funds (color/black sash membership dues, test fees, license fees), violates Hwa Rang Do rules and regulations, violates civil and/or criminal laws, and/or acts in a manner which causes damage to the reputation and value of the Hwa Rang Do identity, this individual and his/her case will be sent to the Hwa Rang Do judicial committee for review and subsequent action. This may or may not include reduction in rank, expulsion from the art, or some other penalty deemed appropriate. This individual's case may also be posted on the judicial section of this website to inform the public about these negative activities, so that the identity of Hwa Rang Do maintains its integrity and that the true Hwa Rang Do practitioners and leaders proceed with an honorable reputation in their life's endeavor.

"Hwa Rang Do® only single governing organization The World Hwa Rang Do® Association works for the success and benefit of our art Hwa Rang Do® and all practitioners. These works are funded by your membership duties, Black Sash test fees, School/ Academy license fees, publication profits, supply profits, and other donations. Without your support our governing Association will be too weak to maintain our art Hwa Rang Do®, and will then become generic like other existing arts. Your dedication, support, and funding leads to a stronger Association, benefiting and protect the rights of all practitioners, and the insurance that our art's identity will be passed through the next 1,000 years!"

Character Pyramid of a Hwarangdoist

Do's
Do Not's
Be Clean.
Do not be a liar.
Be modest and polite.
Do not be aggressive.
See the Good in others.
Do not have a large ego.
Respect yourself and others.
Do not fuel a controversy.
Have the spirit of cooperation.
Do not be negative of your society.
Before you speak, think 3 times.
Do not copy or steal from other arts.
Be the best model of moral spirit.
Do not blame others for your mistakes
Listen to others more than you speak.
Do not be merry over another's mishap.
Give selfless service to your society and community.
Never break the country's laws or betray your art's and rules.
Honor your Hwa Rang Do identity through your actions.
Once set on an agreement, never break your promises.
Important Points

Keep a strong mentality and honorable life.
For your benefits of tomorrow, keep your duties today.
One of your promises is heavier than a 1,000 pounds of gold.

True familial bonds will forever keep your honor and dedication to Hwa Rang Do®.
Greed, large egos, and selfishness will destroy our identity, so remember the spirit of Do Joo Nim's saying:
"One chopstick is easily broken, however 100 chopsticks bundled together will never be broken!"

 

"We are proud your Dan Degree Rank and your dedication"

1st Degree Dan Black Sashes

 

Name: Kurtis Bock Black Sash#: 14-01653
Title: Jo Kyo, Instructor Present Dan: 1st Dan
Trained By: Mr. Billie Buss Present Dan Granted: Aug. 01, 2014
Academy Training At: Madison East Branch, USA-25-001 Present Dan Exam: 107th Exam
Academy Teaching At: Madison East Branch, USA-25-001 1st Dan Granted: Aug. 01, 2014

Note:		 Instructor of Madison East Branch USA-25-001
(JOKYO NIM)		 1st Dan Exam: 107th Exam
Name: Don Cone Black Sash#: 14-01654
Title: Jo Kyo, Instructor Present Dan: 1st Dan
Trained By: Mr. Billie Buss Present Dan Granted: Aug. 01, 2014
Academy Training At: Appleton Branch, USA-25-006 Present Dan Exam: 107th Exam
Academy Teaching At: Appleton Branch, USA-25-006 1st Dan Granted: Aug. 01, 2014

Note:		 Instructor of Appleton Branch USA-25-006
(JOKYO NIM)		 1st Dan Exam: 107th Exam
Name: Chad A. Cordova Black Sash#: 14-01655
Title: Jo Kyo, Instructor Present Dan: 1st Dan
Trained By: Mr. Charles Dean Present Dan Granted: Aug. 01, 2014
Academy Training At: Madison West Branch, USA-25-003 Present Dan Exam: 107th Exam
Academy Teaching At: Madison Wast Branch, USA-25-003 1st Dan Granted: Aug. 01, 2014

Note:		 Instructor of Madison West Branch USA-25-003
(JOKYO NIM)		 1st Dan Exam: 107th Exam
Name: Aaron Stevens Black Sash#: 14-01656
Title: Jo Kyo, Instructor Present Dan: 1st Dan
Trained By: Mr. Charles Dean Present Dan Granted: Aug. 01, 2014
Academy Training At: Madison West Branch, USA-25-003 Present Dan Exam: 107th Exam
Academy Teaching At: Madison Wast Branch, USA-25-003 1st Dan Granted: Aug. 01, 2014

Note:		 Instructor of Madison West Branch USA-25-003
(JOKYO NIM)		 1st Dan Exam: 107th Exam
Name: Ashley Nofsinger Black Sash#: 14-01657
Title: Jo Kyo, Instructor Present Dan: 1st Dan
Trained By: Mr. Billie Buss Present Dan Granted: Aug. 01, 2014
Academy Training At: Madison East Branch, USA-25-001 Present Dan Exam: 107th Exam
Academy Teaching At: Madison East Branch, USA-25-001 1st Dan Granted: Aug. 01, 2014

Note:		 Instructor of Madison East Branch USA-25-001
(JOKYO NIM)		 1st Dan Exam: 107th Exam
Name: Jose L. Flores-Vgalde Black Sash#: 14-01658
Title: Jo Kyo, Instructor Present Dan: 1st Dan
Trained By: Mr. Billie Buss Present Dan Granted: Aug. 01, 2014
Academy Training At: Madison East Branch, USA-25-001 Present Dan Exam: 107th Exam
Academy Teaching At: Madison East Branch, USA-25-001 1st Dan Granted: Aug. 01, 2014

Note:		 Instructor of Madison East Branch USA-25-001 (JOKYO NIM) 1st Dan Exam: 107th Exam
Name: Elyse Pierce Black Sash#: 14-01659
Title: Jo Kyo, Instructor Present Dan: 1st Dan
Trained By: Mr. Charles Dean Present Dan Granted: Aug. 01, 2014
Academy Training At: Madison West Branch, USA-25-003 Present Dan Exam: 107th Exam
Academy Teaching At: Madison Wast Branch, USA-25-003 1st Dan Granted: Aug. 01, 2014

Note:		 Instructor of Madison West Branch USA-25-003
(JOKYO NIM)		 1st Dan Exam: 107th Exam
Name: Heather Gray Black Sash#: 14-01660
Title: Jo Kyo, Instructor Present Dan: 1st Dan
Trained By: Mr. Charles Dean Present Dan Granted: Aug. 01, 2014
Academy Training At: Madison West Branch, USA-25-003 Present Dan Exam: 107th Exam
Academy Teaching At: Madison Wast Branch, USA-25-003 1st Dan Granted: Aug. 01, 2014

Note:		 Instructor of Madison West Branch USA-25-003
(JOKYO NIM)		 1st Dan Exam: 107th Exam
Name: Nicole Perez-Bertolotto Black Sash#: 14-01661
Title: Yu Dan Ja, Black Sash Present Dan: 1st Dan
Trained By: KUKSANIM, TAE JOON LEE Present Dan Granted: Aug. 01, 2014
Academy Training At: USA Headquarters, USA-01-002 Present Dan Exam: 107th Exam
Academy Teaching At:   1st Dan Granted: Aug. 01, 2014

Note:		   1st Dan Exam: 107th Exam
Name: Gabriela Perez-Bertolotto Black Sash#: 14-01662
Title: Yu Dan Ja, Black Sash Present Dan: 1st Dan
Trained By: KUKSANIM, TAE JOON LEE Present Dan Granted: Aug. 01, 2014
Academy Training At: USA Headquarters, USA-01-002 Present Dan Exam: 107th Exam
Academy Teaching At:   1st Dan Granted: Aug. 01, 2014

Note:		   1st Dan Exam: 107th Exam

 

 

2nd Degree Dan Black Sashes

 

 

Name: Giulia Felicetti Black Sash#: 06-01556
Title: KyoSa, Instroctor Present Dan: 2nd Dan
Trained By: Mr. Marco Mattiucci Present Dan Granted: Aug. 01,2014
Academy Training At: Rome IT. Branch, IT-01-001 Present Dan Exam: 107th Exam
Academy Teaching At: Boccea IT. Branch, IT-01-004 1st Dan Granted: April 22, 2006

Note:		 Address: Rome Italy
Instrucor of Boccea IT. Branch IT-01-004
(KYOSA NIM)

 1st Dan Exam: 84th Exam
Name: Maura Floris Black Sash#: 06-01557
Title: KyoSa, Instructor Present Dan: 2nd Dan
    Present Dan Granted Aug. 01,2014
Trained By: Mr. Marco Mattiucci Present Dan Exam: 107th Exam
    1st Dan Granted: April 22, 2006
Academy Training At: Rome IT. Branch, IT-01-001 1st Dan Exam: 94th Exam

Academy Teaching At

Note:

La Stolta IT. Branch #IT-01-005
Address: Rome, Italy
Instructor of La Stolta IT. Branch IT-01-005 (KYOSA NIM)
Name: Preston Packard Black Sash#: 06-01575
    Present Dan: 2nd Dan
Title: Kyo Sa, Instructor Aug 01, 2014 107th Exam
Trained By: Mr. Dylan Sirny 1st Dan Granted: Oct. 14, 2006
Academy Training At: Minneapolis MN. Branch, USA-20-001 1st Dan Exam: 95th Exam

Academy Teaching At

Note:

Sydney Australia AU-01-002
Address: Sydney, Australia
Instructor of Sydney, Branch, AU-01-002 (KYOSA NIM)
Name: Luca Gelati Black Sash#: 07-01591
    Present Dan: 2nd Dan
Title: Kyo Sa, Instructor Aug 01,2014 107th Exam
Trained By: Mr. Marco Mattiucci 1st Dan Granted: July 26, 2007
Academy Training At: Rome IT. Branch, IT-01-001 1st Dan Exam: 97th Exam

Academy Teaching At

Note:

Levante IT. Branch #IT-01-007

Address: Levante, Italy
Instructor of Levante IT. Branch IT-01-007 (KYOSA NIM),
Name: Jason Vandekieft Black Sash#: 09-01620
    Present Dan 2nd Dan
Title: Kyo Sa, Instructor Aug 01,2014 107th Exam
Trained By: Mr. Charles Dean 1st Dan Granted: May, 23, 2009
Academy Training At: Madison West WI. Branch, USA-25-003 1st Dan Exam: 100th Exam

Academy Teaching At

Note:

Madison West WI. Branch, USA-25-003
Address: Madison, WI. USA
Instructor of Madison West Branch USA-25-003
(KYOSA NIM)

 

 

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