As a reminder the advanced test and annual holiday party is on Saturday December 10th.  The test starts at 12:00 noon with the party immediately after.  Mr. Babcock and Mr. King are coming in from St. Louis on Thursday the 8th and will be at the school that night with the hopes you will join them for some fun practice and comradery.  At this time the following are testing for higher Black Belt rank:

Mr. Dave Erlandson
Mr. Pat Campagna
Mr. John Yang
Mr. Peyton Russell
Mr. CB Bunkholt

Please come and join us for both the test and the party.  The party as usual, is a Pot Luck food so everyone please bring something.  The school will provide beverages.  We hope to see you!

On December 10th of this year we will be conducting the next Black Belt testing.  As always our Holiday Party will follow immediately after the test.  I am listing the Black Belts who will have their time in by this date so that they can start preparing now for their promotion exam.  I hope all listed below will work hard and do everything to be promoted to their next Dan level at this test.  You all are outstanding examples of what a Black Belt should be.  Your dedication has brought you to this new challenge to achieve everything you can be in the future.  It is my sincere pleasure to be your Instructor.


1st Dan to Second Dan: Mr. Dave Erlandson
​                                     Mr. Pat Campagna

2nd Dan to 3rd Dan: Mr. Brian Byrne
                                Mr. John Yang
                                Mr. Alex Caffari

3rd Dan to 4th Dan: Mr. Peyton Russell
                                Mr. Mark Bettes

6th Dan to 7th Dan: Mr. CB Bunkholt

Good luck to you all!

​

Beginning 2/1/22 Black Belt classes will resume on Tuesdays at 7:30 pm.  I am looking forward to working with you all again.  For the first several classes I will be working on teaching and promoting students.  If you are currently teaching classes I would appreciate you attending those early Black Belt classes so we are all working together for the same goals.

Well it has been some time since I last posted on this page.  As most of you know, we were shut down twice by our Governor and lost several months of training and student participation.  Many of the students who were training have yet to come back more than likely due to getting out of the habit for a year.  We have struggled to stay open due to limited membership and participation and are hoping many of you will return to pursue your goals and help us stay open.  We need your support!

I would at this time like to provide information on our December 2021 advanced promotion test.  I am putting this out there now so anyone testing will have plenty of time to prepare.  The following people have the minimum time needed for their next test or have been at the same rank for a very long time.  I would like you to test this coming December for higher rank:

Mr. Brian Byrne
Mr. Dave Erlandson
Mr. Duke Hydukovich
Ms. Lisa Davis

Additionally we will hold our annual holiday party right after the test.  All students and family are invited.  Please bring at least one pot luck dish.  I hope to see you all there and sincerely hope to see more of you between now and December.

Beginning this month (March) all future promotion tests will be held on the second SATURDAY of each month at 11:00 a.m..  All students who wish to test MUST attend the pre-test class on the Thursday two weeks BEFORE the test.

As an example this month works as follows:

Thursday March 5th - Pre-test
Saturday March 14th - Test @ 11:00 am

These changes make it easier for all to make test dates.

Happy New Year to all!

I would like to congratulate the following for attaining higher rank at the December 2019 Promotion test:

Mr. Dave Saum - 7th Dan
Mr. Ben Chung - 3rd Dan
Mr. John Yang - 2nd Dan
Mr. Alex Caffari - 2nd Dan
Mr. Noah Schmacher - 2nd Dan
Mr. Duke Hydukovich - 1st Dan
Mr. Pat Campagna - 1st Dan

​I would also like to thank Grandmaster Babcock for attending the test and bringing his student Brett King who tested and attained his 3rd Dan Black Belt.  The after party was great with great food and several of our students attending who we had not seen for a while.  I look forward to this coming year and predict good luck and prosperity for all.

The December Black Belt test will be held on Saturday 12/21/19 at 12:00 Noon.  There will be several Black Belts and advanced students testing.  Immediately afterward will be a POT LUCK dinner and celebration.  Hope to see you all there!

It has been a long time since I have posted on this page.  Last year was a very trying year for me and there were some unexpected changes for the school.  2019 promises to be a year of change for both the school and it's members.

First, on April 1 2019 Bloomington Karate was 45 years old!  While we have not had an official celebration, I would like all to be proud of what we have accomplished.  The longevity of this school is due to the loyalty and commitment of our Black Belt teaching staff.  These individuals have come together to offer the elite teaching of the Martial Arts in our area if not anywhere.  They do this, due to a love of the Martial arts and the school they were taught at.  These instructors give their time with no monetary gain for the benefit of the school and our students.  While many other Black Belts are only interested in their self promotion for fame or fortune these individuals truly give of themselves for only positive reasons.  Our students should be honored to be trained by them verses a school who simply exchanges services for payment.

I would at this time like to provide information on our December 2019 Advanced Promotion Test.  While this may seem premature as it is only early April, I believe it is necessary so the individuals involved will have sufficient time to train and prepare for their advancement.  The following individuals will have the minimal time requirement and my permission to advance to their next rank effective 12/14/19:

7TH DAN - Mr. Dave Saum

3RD DAN - Mr. Brian Byrne
                  Ms. Lisa Davis
                  Mr. Ben Chung
                  Ms. Mariah Tamanaha

2ND DAN - Mr. Dave Erlandson
                  Mr. Alex Caffari
                  Mr. John Yang
                  Mr. Noah Schumacher

Additionally any Red belt should be working hard to try and get permission from the Instructors to ask to test on this date.  I look forward to working with the Black Belts listed above to help them achieve their ultimate level of proficiency, knowledge and understanding of the Martial Arts possible.  I appreciate everything you have accomplished in the past and look forward to helping you achieve your highest level of your potential possible in the near future.  I am honored to be your teacher.

The December Promotion Test will be on Saturday December 16th at 12:00 Noon.  All belts will be tested including tests for Black Belt.  Immediately after the test will be a year end celebration pot luck party.  All members and their families are welcome.  Please bring one pot luck food item to share.

Black Belt classes will be cancelled from December 1st through January 15th.  Classes are scheduled to begin again on January 16, 2018.

Happy Holidays and I look forward to seeing you all next year!