Congratulations:

I would like to congratulate all new Junior Black Belts and all the Black Belts that tested for different levels at the Black Belt Extravaganza on Saturday, January 26.

Thank you for your hard work and your dedication to karate. You made IMA family very proud of your accomplishments.

The following are the people who received the certification:

Junior Black Belt (Black/White)

1. Kamran Madani              
2. Rory Martinelli
3. Bertt Kiyota
4. Parker Smagac
5. Ann Albright    
6. Charles Albright
7. Karun Kumar Rao   
   

Junior Black Belt (Black/Green)

1. Nathaniel Keyek Franssen
2. Jax Martinelli
3. Quinn Vail
4. Kaylyn Ferrera<

Junior Black Belt (Black/Brown)

1. 
   
2. Emily Kaufman &
3. Taylor Kiyota

Shodan

1. Karthick Kumar Rao
2. Dan Wagoner
3. David Claflin
4. William Lounsbury
5. Scott Straaten
6. Miya Holley
7. Christina Kay

Nidan

1. Steve Bryant
2. Debbie Keyek Franssen

Yondan

1. Michele Prud’Homme
2. Brian Meyer

The following are the people tested on 1/26/08 for the first exam:

Junior Black Belt First Test

• Sam Fredricksmeyer

Shodan First Test

1. Sian Gilgallon
2. Eilidh Gilgallon

Nidan First Test

1. Jennifer Gilgallon
2. Rita Vali
3. Sara Martinelli
4. Trudee Kiyota

Sandan First Test

1. Helmut Lestinsky
2. Wanda Lestinsky
3. Roberto Cutera

Yondan First Test

• Tom Geske

Dear I.M.A. Family,

I have very exciting news to share with everyone! 

As some of you may know, last year the Lodge at Silver Creek informed us that the Lodge will be going through a major renovation in the fall of 2008 and will not be available for the Fall Gasshuku Training Camp.

Although disappointed at having to find another location after 13 years, we were confident that with change comes opportunity. With a good karate spirit, we set out to find another facility.

This has not been an easy task.  We found that most resorts book up to two years in advance and did not have the right size conference space or room availability.  However, when we found this location we knew this was meant for our I.M.A. family.

It is my pleasure to inform you that we have reserved The Keystone Resort for our 14th Annual  Rocky Mountain Gasshuku" October 10th, 11th, and 12th in 2008.

The setting is spectacular in the fall with a large lake surrounding the conference area.  It is a wonderful choice with close proximity to Breckenridge, outlet malls for shopping, biking, golf, swimming, hiking, etc.

The conference spaces are large and luxurious.  The hotel rooms are also extremely nice for students and instructors.

We will have a choice of rooms at "The Lodge at Keystone" for $120/night available with double queen beds accommodating four guests @ $30.00 per person, or "The Inn at Keystone" (pet friendly) for $99.00/night available with double queen beds accommodating four guest @  $ 25.00 per person.

Reservations must be made by September 16, 2008, and, when reserving your room you must use our group code number “CK2MA8”. However, when making your reservations if you do not use the code number, they can locate our group if you tell them “IMA” itwill just take longer.

I feel confident that this experience will be memorable and our very best camp yet!

Sincerely,

Shihan

DO NOT FORGET TO MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR OCTOBER  10-12^th,2008.

I would like to recognize Ken Umezono and Sempai Jem Corcoran for their birthdays on Dec. 29th.

I could remember their birthday, because they have the same date as my birthday (off course in different year).

Happy birthday guys

Love

Shihan

I would like to congratulate Sempai Andrew Geske for graduating from University of Colorado with the major of Integrative Physiology.

Sempai Andrew has been training karate over 13 years and he started karate training at the age of 11. Currently, he has been training/teaching at the Dojo in Louisville and he earned the rank of Nidan (second degree black belt) in 2006.

I am very proud our young karate students who starting the karate in young ages and continuing their education and karate training.

Please, send your regards to Sempai Andrew for his achievement to: andrewg105 @ hotmail.com .

Once more, I am very proud of Sempai Andrew’s for excellent accomplishment and wish him the best of success.

Love,

Shihan

Congratulation to Sempai Kyle Lamb for his graduation from collage. Sempai Kyle karate training has started at the age of 12 and he has been training karate over 15 years. Sempai Kyle has been teaching in YMCA Lafayette in Colorado since 1998.

I am very proud of Sempai Kyle accomplishment and wish him the best of success.

Please, send your regards to Sempai Kyle for his achievement. His email address is: lambkl@hotmail.com .