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Shanaki's Exclusive After School Martial Arts and Character Development Program
is now in full swing!
(Click our page links on the side to find out more information.)
STILL ACCEPTING ENROLLMENT!
HURRY, ALMOST FULL!
OCTOBER 1st BELT RANKING
SHANAKI MARTIAL ARTS STUDIOS
STUDENT GRADUATION
On October 1st, Shanaki Martial Arts Studios hosted its biannual belt ranking exam. “Although this test consisted of only a small group of students due to scheduling conflicts, it was certainly one of the best overall performances”, stated Master Scot Shannon.
Selection for candidacy is not automatic, nor is passing. Both are considered an honor by Shanaki students. In the traditional Japanese martial arts system of Shotokan Karate, the changing of one’s belt color is cyclical in nature and signifies the gain of experience and wisdom. In example, the beginner student starts as a white belt. With time and training, the student’s belt becomes soiled and grows darker. Evolving through the various shades of gray and brown, the student’s belt eventually becomes black. Shanaki students understand that achieving the rank of Black Belt is not the end of their journey, but merely the beginning. Once the belt darkens to black through years of handling, the stains begin to wear off and it fades back to white as the student continues along the path.
During their approximate six-hour physical test, candidates were required to demonstrate proficiency in various aspects of Shotokan Karate along with various other martial arts disciplines. Some elements included on the test were continuous sparring and reality street defense, grappling, traditional and freestyle forms, weaponry, multiple attacker defense, Japanese terminology, power striking, and board breaking.
At Shanaki, thorough academic understanding, theory, and practical application of the martial arts are emphasized as much as physical prowess. “We want our students to be more than just trained monkeys or simple barroom brawlers. We want them to be martial artists in the truest sense. They must comprehend the history and science behind the various arts we teach. We want them to know that they don’t have to prove anything to anyone, and that there are specific consequences or benefits for every action and choice they make in life”.
Shanaki would like to extend “congratulations and a special thanks to each student and parent for their dedication, perseverance, continued loyalty and support”.
GRANDMASTER PENNY SHANNON of SHANAKI MARTIAL ARTS
RECEIVES WOMAN OF THE DECADE AWARD
Saturday, August 20th in Myrtle beach, SC Grandmaster Penny Shannon was honored as the Female Martial Arts Instructor of the Decade by the North American Sports Karate Association (NASKA). NASKA is the most widely recognized and most prestigious sanctioning body of martial arts tournaments in the world. Scores of renowned martial arts actors including Taylor Lautner, from the Twilight saga, are bi-products of this organization.
The call came as a complete surprise to Master Shannon. When Penny was initially contacted by Master Dewey Earwood, a representative and international event promoter for NASKA, she assumed it was a simple social call to reminisce about times past. However, he was calling to let her know that she had been nominated as the Woman of the Decade for her innovations and the timeless impact she had made in the world of professional martial arts. According to Mr. Earwood in his introduction speech, “In the time of a male dominated sport, when traditional martial arts ruled the game, Master Penny Shannon and her elite competition team ushered in a new era. As she truly set the bar and challenged professional competitors around the nation to become better, Mrs. Shannon’s modernization and stylistic influence has helped cultivate the sport into what it is today”.
Penny’s incomparable success as a trainer and coach falls second only to her accomplishments as a, behind-the-scenes, societal advocate. Aside from producing National and World Champions, Master Shannon’s primary focus throughout her career has been making a positive and lasting impact on individual people and offering something back to the community in which she resides. Penny has donated countless hours to community causes such as developing and overseeing Big Brother/ Big Sister Mentoring Programs, working with abused women’s groups, leading exercise and motivational classes for the elderly, conducting inspirational courses for the mentally and physically challenged, working with institutionalized and underprivileged teens, and partnering with area law enforcement just to name a few.
In brief summary of her life philosophy Master Penny states, “This life isn’t a popularity contest… it doesn’t matter what others think, and it doesn’t matter how many toys or money you have when you die. All that matters are what you leave behind, the difference you’ve made on the world, and the whether your existence has had a negative or positive influence on others you’ve met along the way”.
CONGRATS!
SHANAKI MARTIAL ARTS STUDENTS TAKE HOME HONORS
On March 26, 2011 thirteen members of the Shanaki Martial Arts competition team attended the “Open Martial Arts Championships” in Tazewell, VA. Testing their skills against approximately 200 other competitors from surrounding states, including VA, WV, KY, NC, TN, and OH, Team Shanaki accumulated 21 first place wins, 4 second places, 3 third places, and the overall Tournament Grand Championship. Students competed in Weapons, Kata (form, or pre-planned fight routine), and open fighting. Each member, who competed, landed in the top three places of each their respective divisions. “More than the physical capability that our students displayed, I was most impressed with their attitude, sportsmanship, and overall character. All of our team members conducted themselves with utmost respect and integrity”, states Master Scot Shannon.
Team Shanaki students attending the tournament are as follows: Andrew Busha (2nd Kata, 3rd, Fighting), Kayla Demers (1st Kata, 1st Fighting), Katie Early (1st Kata, 1st Weapons, 1st Fighting), Emily Hill (1st Kata), Logan Hurley (2nd Kata, 3rd Fighting), Benjamin Johnson (1st Kata, 1st Weapons, 1st Fighting), Jacob Johnson (1st Kata, 1st Weapons, 1st Fighting), Karis Johnson (1st Kata, 1st Fighting), Tyler Johnson (3rd Kata, 1st Fighting), Maleeah Kirtner (1st Kata, 1st Fighting), Keagan Morgan (1st Kata, 2nd Fighting), Payton Totten (2nd Kata, 1st Fighting), and Black Belt Master Shawna Shannon (1st Weapons, 1st Kata, and overall Grand Champion).
BLACK BELT PROMOTIONS
Grandmaster Penny Shannon would proudly like to announce the promotions of Scot Shannon to 7th Dan, Jason Gullion to 6th Dan, and Trey Warden to 3rd Dan. Well done. Thanks for your loyalty and dedication.
BLACK BELT HALL OF FAME INDUCTION
Pictured from left to right: Supreme Grand Master William Rankin --Grandmaster John Eddie Thomas--Grand master Penny Shannon and Mrs Rankin
On July 18th, in Harpers Ferry, WV, Grand Master Penny Shannon was promoted to her 8th Degree Black Belt by Supreme Grand Master (10th Degree) William Rankin. Master Rankin is the Founder and President of the International Black Belt Hall Of Fame. She was also inducted into the US division of the International Black Belt Hall of Fame for "Legend of the Year". This Makes Grand Master Penny's third induction to date.
Mrs. Shannon now holds an 8th Degree Black Belt under Grand Master Rankin, a 7th Degree Black Belt in Shotokan Karate under 9th Degree Grand Master Eddie Thomas, 6th Degree in Shotokan, and a 2nd Degree Black Belt in Kobudo (Martial Weaponry) under Grand Master Marc Cantrell. She also holds 1st Degree Black Belts in Tae Kwon Do, Shorinji-Ryu, and American Freestyle Karate. Additionally, she has extensive crossover training in Aikido, Wing Chung, Wushu Kung Fu, Kali, Arnis, Kick Boxing, and Submission Grappling among many other styles. She has trained under some of the world's most renowned martial arts experts.
Master Shannon has produced one World Champion and twenty-four number one nationally rated martial arts competitors. She has trained four National Olympic Qualifiers and multiple state and regional sport karate champions. She is a Certified Olympic Coach and Referee as well as a Certified North American Sport Karate National Team Coach and Referee.
Master Shannon's training expertise was recognized by the World Martial Arts Organization and she was chosen to represent the U.S. National Martial Arts Team at the World Martial Arts "World Cup" in Honolulu, Hawaii.
In recognition of her accomplishments and contributions in the martial arts world and to the community at large, Grand Master Shannon is now a three-time inductee into the International Black Belt Hall of Fame. Other publicated recognition include Woman's World Magazine, Police Magazine, Karate/Kung Fu Illustrated, Black Belt Magazine, and Sport Karate Illustrated. She has also been a guest on the National Talk Show "In Focus". Master Shannon is apointee to the National Congressional Business Advisory Council.
Shanaki Martial Arts, Inc. Is proud to anounce a new division of Shanaki.
Go to the Shanaki Mobile Martial Arts page and check it out.
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