Many local martial artists were promoted to black belt during a promotion ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 14 at Shoreline Middle School in Capitola.
The promotion was overseen by Grand Master Sang Un Jin and included Elite Martial Arts, Lairds Academy of Martial Arts in Santa Cruz and Korean Martial Arts Academy of Capitola. Each of the schools trains in the Korean art of Ho Kuk Mu Sul.
Along with hundreds of colored belts receiving their promotion, Elite Martial Arts in Scotts Valley promoted numerous students to Black Belt Levels.
Those who earned 1st degree black belt included: Robin Hadveck, Connor Bisby, Cole Sawyer, Isaac Chavez, Quentin Freeman, Lauren Sibley, Jordan Yanowitz and Jared Farst.
Those who earned 2nd degree black belt included: Jenny Downs, Sydney Andrews and Chris Castleman.
Elliot Stone, the owner of Elite Martial Arts earned his 4th degree black belt. Among skills Stone had to demonstrate, were kicking an apple off the end of a sword while blindfolded and breaking two cinder bricks with his head.
