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Belt ranking

BELT COLORS & RANKING PHILOSOPHY

Grade Ranks (under Black Belt)

All new students begin their training as White Belts. Nine (9) different colored belts must be achieved to be considered for candidacy to test for 1st Degree Black Belt. Each of these colored belts is called a ‘Grade’ rank (10th Grade being the lowest). It takes months for the average student to advance through each of the Grade ranks.

10

10th Grade White Belt…

  • Beginner level
    • The color White represents Purity and Innocence
    • Philosophically, it means Rebirth; To be born into a new environment of knowledge with an open mind and no preconceptions.

9

9th Grade Yellow Belt…

  • Beginner level
    • The color Yellow represents the Rising Sun.
    • Philosophically, it means the dawning of a new day…a new beginning. The first achievement of rank and knowledge.

8

8th Grade Blue Belt…

  • Beginner level
    • The color Blue represents the vast Sky.
    • Philosophically, it means that as the sky appears to be vast and never ending, so too is the knowledge of the martial arts. A student never learns all there is to know.

7

7th Grade Green Belt (1 stripe)…

6

6th Grade Green Belt (2 stripes)…

  • Intermediate level
    • The color Green represents Growth.
    • Philosophically, it means that as the green grass grows and leaves blossom, so too does the student grow and evolve with the knowledge gained.

5

5th Grade Purple Belt…

  • Intermediate level
    • The color Purple represents Transition.
    • Philosophically, it means that as the student grows and evolves mentally, spiritually and physically as a result of his/her training, a point is reached where the student becomes more technically substantial and makes a transition from Beginner/Intermediate level to Advanced level.

4

4th Grade Brown Belt (1 stripe)…

3

3rd Grade Brown Belt (2 stripes)…

2

2nd Grade Brown Belt (3 stripes)…

  • Advanced level
    • The color Brown represents Mother Earth.
    • Philosophically, it means that as the Earth is the foundation upon which we live, so too has the student established a solid foundation in the basics and fundamentals upon achieving this rank level.

1

1st Grade Red Belt…

  • Advanced level/Probationary Black Belt
    • The color Red represents the Setting Sun.
    • Philosophically, it means that as the setting sun marks the end of the day, so too does the achievement of this rank level mark the end of preliminary and preparatory training.

0

Black Belt (Child and Adult):

There are three (3) individual Child Black Belts that can be achieved in Kang Do for 15 years of age and under, within three specific age groupings. The embroidery on a Child Black Belt is Red. Child Black Belts are temporary and expire on the holder’s 16th birthday. In order to achieve Adult Black Belt, Child Black Belts must take an Adult re-certification test within one month after their 16th birthday.
  • There are eight (8) individual Adult Black Belts that can be achieved in Kang Do for those 16 years of age and older. The embroidery on an Adult Black Belt is Gold.
  • Each individual belt is called a ‘Degree’ of Black Belt (1st Degree being the lowest).
  • Each Degree is represented by an embroidered stripe on one tail of the holder’s belt.
  • It takes the average student years to achieve each of the Degrees of Black Belt.
  • The color Black represents Unification and Darkness or Night.
Philosophically, it means the unity and blending of all the colors and the accumulation of knowledge of all of the grade ranks. It also signifies the darkness of the night prior to the next day, which marks another beginning of learning and evolution at a much higher and more disciplined, individualistic level.

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Grand Master Lewis created the traditional martial art “Kang Do,” which when translated, means “inner strength way.” We believe that martial arts is a way of life that inspires total human growth and development, not destruction.

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Opening Hours

  • Monday-Friday : 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm
  • Saturday : 11:00 am to 3:00 pm
  • Sunday : Closed

Kang Do Won Institute

Designed and Developed by Techy Agency

Grand Master Lewis created the traditional martial art “Kang Do,” which when translated, means “inner strength way.” We believe that martial arts is a way of life that inspires total human growth and development, not destruction.

navigation

Opening Hours

  • Monday-Friday : 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm
  • Saturday : 11:00 am to 3:00 pm
  • Sunday : Closed

Kang Do Won Institute

Designed and Developed by Techy Agency

Richard J. Lewis

Grand Master Teacher

  • 8th Dan Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do
  • 4th Dan Black Belt in Sun Do
  • 3rd Dan Black Belt in Bong-Sool
  • Born 1950
  • Began Training 1964
  • Husband of Master Teacher Judeth M. Lewis
  • Father of Senior Master Teacher Gary M. Hotchkiss Junior Master Teacher Elizabeth M. Cintron
  • Cleveland Karate Hall of Fame 1986
  • Grand Master of the Year 2000 E.U.S.A.M.A.A. Hall of Fame
  • Pinnacle of Success Award 2001 E.U.S.A.M.A.A. Hall of Fame
  • Founder and Grand Master of the Kang Do Won
  • Creator of ‘Kang Do’
  • President and Grand Master of D. H. Choi’s Moo Do Won/USA
  • Creator of the ‘Strive to Survive’ Self-Defense and Assault Prevention Seminar
  • Founder of the American Warrior Traditional Martial Arts Tournament
  • Retired July 1, 2015

Other Interests:

  • Construction, Home Remodeling, Counseling, Writing,
  • Martial Arts Tournament Management, Electronics,
  • Science Fiction, Sports, Billiards, Shooting,
  • Motorcycling, Website Construction & Management,
  • and Vehicle Customization.

Judeth M. Lewis

Senior Master Teacher
  • 7th Dan Black Belt
  • Nickname... ‘Eagle’
  • Born 1958
  • Began Training 1989
  • KDW Student of the Year 1993
  • Wife of Grand Master Richard J. Lewis
  • Mother of Senior Master Teacher Gary M. Hotchkiss Junior Master Teacher Elizabeth M. Cintron
  • Registered Nurse since 1980
  • 14 years in Critical Care Nursing
  • 14 years in Home Health Care Nursing
  • Specialty in Intravenous Therapy
  • BCLS, ACLS, PALS Certified
  • CAPA
  • CPAN
  • S.A.N.E. Trained
  • Attended Ursuline College
  • Graduate of St. Alexis School of Nursing
  • Manager and Head Coach of ‘Kang Do Warriors’ Competition and Demonstration Team
  • Instructor of the ‘Strive to Survive’ Self-Defense & Assault Prevention Seminar

Other Interests:

  • Art, Calligraphy, Sports, Shooting, Interior Decorating,
  • Gardening, Motorcycling, Movies, Writing, and
  • Cooking.

Elizabeth M. Maurer

Master Teacher
  • 6th Dan Black Belt
  • Nickname... ‘Queenie’
  • Born 1984
  • Began Training 1989
  • KDW Student of the Year 1999
  • Daughter of Grand Master & Master Lewis
  • Sister of Senior Master Teacher Gary M. Hotchkiss
  • Finance & Accounting Service Auditor
  • Associate of Arts Lakeland Community College
  • B.S. Accounting Bowling Green State University
  • Coach and Player on the ‘Kang Do Warriors’ Competition and Demonstration Team

Other Interests:

  • Sports, Paintballing, Movies, and Triathlons.

Rosemarie Teresi

Junior Master Teacher
  • 5th Dan Black Belt
  • Nickname... ‘Dragon Lady’
  • Began Training 1996
  • KDW Student of the Year 1999
  • Graduate from Cosmetology School
  • Chairman & Judge for many Nail Competitions
  • 1st Place in State of Ohio for Acrylic Nails
  • Teaches Acrylic Nails
  • Hair & Nail Salon Owner since 1971

Other Interests:

  • Gardening, Interior Decorating, Baking/Cooking,
  • Fashion, Dancing, Biking, and Walking.

John Kingston

Probationary Junior Master Teacher
  • 4th Dan Black Belt
  • Nickname... ‘Goose’
  • Born 1965
  • Began Training 2005
  • KDW Student of the Year 2006
  • ASQ (American Society for Quality) Certified Mechanical Inspector
  • Certified Quality Engineer/Technician

Other Interests:

  • Music, Theater, Theatrical Lighting, Reading, Camping ,
  • Bicycling, and Home Brewing.

Mary Wyrzykowski

Senior Instructor
  • 3rd Dan Black Belt
  • Nickname... ‘Zap’
  • Born 1996
  • Began Training 2006
  • KDW Student of the Year 2010

Other Interests:

  • Fuzzy Animals, Swimming, Crafts, Video Games,
  • Movies, and Drawing.

Lacee Beringer

Senior Instructor
  • 3rd Dan Black Belt
  • Nickname… ‘Munchkin’
  • Born 2004
  • Began Training 2011
  • KDW Student of the Year 2015

Other Interests:

  • Volleyball, Track, Baseball, Camping, Bike
  • Riding, Volunteering, and Being with Family & Friends.

Cameron Knott

Instructor
  • 3nd Dan Black Belt
  • Nickname... ‘Gremlin’
  • Born 1994
  • Began Training 1998
  • Police Officer
  • Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice Mercyhurst University
  • Mercyhurst Baseball Team
  • College World Series Participant

Other Interests:

  • Baseball, Criminology, Movies, and Game of Thrones.

Maria Zinner

Instructor
  • 2nd Dan Black Belt
  • Nickname... ‘Tadpole’
  • Born 1964
  • Began Training 1992

Other Interests:

  • Horseback riding.

Jayson Nagy

Poom Instructor
  • 2nd Poom Black Belt
  • Nickname... ‘Grasshopper’
  • Born 20
  • Began Training 2009
  • KDW Student of the Year 2012
  • Member of the ‘Kang Do Warriors’ Competition and Demonstration Team

Other Interests:

  • Academics, Basketball, Video
  • Games, Programming, School, and Family.

IN MEMORIUM

Passed Away Tuesday, June 16, 2015. You Will Never Be Forgotten!

Maureen A. Soeder

Probationary Junior Master Teacher
  • 4th Dan Black Belt
  • Nickname... ‘Silk’
  • Born 1963
  • Began Training 1998
  • KDW Student of the Year 2002
  • College English Teacher... Cleveland State University Lakeland Community College
  • B.S. English... Cleveland State University
  • Masters Degree in English... Cleveland State University
  • Freelance Writer
  • Former Drug Education Officer... Lake County Narcotics Agency
  • Instructor of Kang Do Won Junior Self-Defense Program

Other Interests:

  • Sports, Reading, Traveling, and Motorcycling.