The core values of martial arts are said to be integrity, discipline, focus, and perseverance.
This past Sunday morning, flipping pancakes was added to that list.
Black Dragon Martial Arts Club collaborated with Applebee’s Restaurant from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Sunday morning, raising the approximately $2,500 needed to host and livestream its national International Icebreaker Challenge competition scheduled to take place at the Pullar Center on Saturday, May 14.
Martial arts students Izzy Caraccio, 16, and Addison Hill, 14, held neon signs high into the sky to attract the attention of those passing by.
Anyone who stopped enjoyed an all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast. A bidding table included a number of homemade items and local business donations.
“We just joined in November and really enjoy it,” said Hill.
“It is really fun,” said Izzy. “This is the best activity I have ever done out of school.”
The non-profit organization offers training in taekwondo, chang-hon patterns, traditional weaponry, hapkido, cardio kickboxing and self-defense six days a week.
There will be eight rings set up during competition. The money raised will help pay for the six televisions and four tablets needed to livestream the event.
“They are going to compete against people from all over the country,” Finance Director Sue Caskey said. “There are grandparents and others who can’t come. They will still be able to watch.”
All donations gor toward programming programming.
“It all goes back to the kids,” said Caskey. “We are all about family. I love everything we do for kids”
Caskey raised three children on her own.
“I got started with this nine years ago,” she said. “My grandson had very low self-esteem and low self-confidence.”
Today, Caskey’s grandson is a 12-year-old black belt working toward his second dan. She also highlighted the importance of teaching young women self-defense skills.
“The one thing we can’t stress enough is that girls need to know how to defend themselves, especially in this day and age,” said Caskey. “I have two daughters. I started them when they were very little. I never wanted my children to be victims.”
Director Master Tina Fuller began studying martial arts with her son, Keenan, who was just seven at the time. She worked her way through the ranks to become a sixth dan blackbelt.
Fuller initially founded the Black Dragon Martial Arts Club in 2009 to teach at-risk and disabled youth.
Success is possible through the conditioning of mind and character.
Fuller’s greatest moment of achievement was in training and watching a physically disabled student compete in weaponry (Bo), earning top three in his division without the use of hands.
“I have seen kids, ages four and five, who wouldn’t talk to people gain confidence,” said Fuller. “They learn a lot of self-control. It’s good for kids with anger issues and ADHD. We have some people with autism. We have others with bi-polar disorder. It helps them deal with other children and learn to interact. You see a huge boost in their confidence when they start doing things that they didn’t think they could do.”
With more than 100 students to date, Fuller’s philosophies have certainly gained traction in the community. Competitors are excited to compete in the upcoming "International Icebreaker Challenge" on Saturday, May 14.
Thanks to Applebee’s Restaurant and the donations generated, the event will be livestreamed throughout the day. Spectators can watch from the comfort of their homes just by visiting: https://www.mataction.com/
If anyone is interested in donating or signing up for martial arts lessons, visit its website or Facebook page. Its phone number is 906-360-9055.
Classes are held at the Black Dragon Martial Arts and Wellness Center at 111 W. Portage of Sault Ste. Marie.
