Amazing martial arts journey - from a White Belt to a Black Belt. Martin Gissa and Robert Yegikyan. - Okinawa Karate | Denver Shotokan Karate | Kids Martial Arts Okinawa Karate | Denver Shotokan Karate | Kids Martial Arts

Amazing martial arts journey – from a White Belt to a Black Belt. Martin Gissa and Robert Yegikyan.

“Black belt represents not the end but the beginning of a never-ending journey of karate-do (way of karate)”. These were the words that Sensei Shagin Iskander one of the first Senseis of Alex and Vitaly Padalka wrote on a picture as a reminder for back then young boys Padalka brothers.

Yesterday for the first time ever 2 students of brothers-senseis Padalka tested for their Shodan – First Degree Black Belts in Shotokan Karate.

Robert Yegikyan, 15 yrs old

Martin Gissa, 14 yrs old

Martin Gissa (14 yrs old) and Robert Yegikyan (15 yrs old) successfully passed their test by demonstrating outstanding technics in kihon (basics), kata (forms), kumite (sparring) and tameshiwari (breaking).

The examination board was headed by of the board Sensei John Bolosan (Shichidan/7th Dan) who is one of the top instructors for FSKA (World Funakoshi Shotokan Karate Association). Other board members were Sensei Dave Elmer (Yondan/4th Dan), Sensei Tony Maccioli (Sandan/3rd Dan), Sensei Vitaly Padalka (Sandan/3rd Dan) and Sensei Alex Padalka (Sandan/3rd Dan).

Martin Gissa was one of the first students of Okinawa Dojo by Karate Bros. He actually started his karate journey with Sensei Bolosan. But in a few months when the brothers were opening their Dojo Sensei Bolosan referred Martin’s mom to take Martin over there, saying that it will be a better fit for him since both brothers are from Russia and Martin was from a Russian speaking family. Since then Okinawa Dojo is known as the Russian Dojo or Russian School in Denver. And no Okinawa Dojo did not recruit the entire Russian community of Denver to them but they for sure got some great individuals from there. Our doors are open to any nationality there is. Karate teaches unity and respect to one another. We are proud to say that we have students from all around the world at our dojo. Martin has been a part of the out-of-state Okinawa competition team for many years, already successfully competing at USA Karate events such as US Open and US Nationals and bringing home Gold, Silver and Bronze medals multiple times. It took Martin 8 years to get to his black belt. When we say Martin is a hard-working kid we are not kidding he also does swimming and plays piano and he is a straight A student at the school.

The beginning of the journey

Can you find Martin? still a white belt.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Robert started karate training at the age of 9 which means he has trained for 6.5 years. He loved it and he inspired his older brother and his dad to try it as well. Even thought they did not pursue it as far as Robert did it was one of his first influential moments. promoting karate to the world. Robert has big heart and he fires up people around him. Group trainings run at a different level when Robert is in class and gives it 100%. Every competition for Robert is the most important competition there is.

Robert has medals of all levels as well from Nationals and the US Open. In 2016 he barely missed his chance to represent USA at Junior World Championships. Robert Yegikyan’s family is from Sochi, Russia – the city that hosted Winter Olympics in 2014. Aside from karate Roberts wants to open his own business when he grows up – he loves to work with cars and plans to dedicate himself to the automotive industry.

This is how it all started for Robert

Always ready for a challenge

It takes a lot more than just a physical skill to achieve your black belt. Showing up to classes and giving 100% on your good days is easy, it takes mental toughness to do so on your not so good days. But this is what it takes to succeed! We hope the story of 2 young karatekas from Denver inspires you. Their journey only begins here. They already have their eyes on earning their spot on US National Junior Team this year and on representing the US at the Olympics 2024 in Paris!

 

 

 

Let your dreams be bigger than your fears, your actions louder than your words, and your faith stronger than your feelings.

Osu.

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Looking for Aurora Martial Arts or Karate Classe Denver or maybe karate dojo near me? You in the right place Okinawa Karate Dojo is the Best Karate School Denver can offer. There are many Karate schools in Denver. Kids Karate Denver or Martial Arts Aurora CO or Martial Arts Denver or Taekwondo Denver

Please enjoy this photo-story of the amazing journey of these young martial artists and their path to becoming a Black Belt in Shotokan Karate. 

This story has just begun for this young warriors!

 

 

 

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2022 US Open Karate Championship - video reel by Alejandro Herrera Films

Our own USA Jr. Team members learning from Sensei Tom Scott

FOX31 Denver - Morning News LIVE - Vitaly Padalka and Eduard Sagilyan - February 24th, 2023

Okinawa Dojo Competition Team 2022

Denver local karate school 10 year journey.

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Good training last night. Today Eddie is flying to Cyprus for a Karate 1 Series A.
Good luck, champ!
@eduard_sagilyan_ 🌪️💥
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#WKF #SeriesA #Karate1
#KarateBros #DreamTeamOkinawa

Good training last night. Today Eddie is flying to Cyprus for a Karate 1 Series A.
Good luck, champ!
@eduard_sagilyan_ 🌪️💥
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#WKF #SeriesA #Karate1
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Young Tigers 🥋
Okinawa Dojo by #KarateBros
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Young Tigers 🥋
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Training never stops!
Belt test preparation at the Dojo. Sensei Alberto Pereda is leading the class.
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Training never stops!
Belt test preparation at the Dojo. Sensei Alberto Pereda is leading the class.
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Orlando International Karate Open
New adventures with the best team #DreamTeamOkinawa
We all had a blast 💥
Karate Tournament 🥋 and the Universal Studios 🎢Congratulations to Sensei @henry.s.barnabei on the successful first tournament! 👏 it was a very well organized competition with the best referees and high level competitors!
We enjoyed Orlando and will be back again 🤩@orlandointernationalkarateopen
#OIKO
#KarateBros
#Adventures #DojoLife
#SenseiLife #OkinawaDojo
#USAkarate #allthepoweryouneed
#arawaza #fun

Orlando International Karate Open
New adventures with the best team #DreamTeamOkinawa
We all had a blast 💥
Karate Tournament 🥋 and the Universal Studios 🎢

Congratulations to Sensei @henry.s.barnabei on the successful first tournament! 👏 it was a very well organized competition with the best referees and high level competitors!
We enjoyed Orlando and will be back again 🤩

@orlandointernationalkarateopen
#OIKO
#KarateBros
#Adventures #DojoLife
#SenseiLife #OkinawaDojo
#USAkarate #allthepoweryouneed
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1-2-3 Let’s GO!
Okinawa Team is traveling to Orlando, Florida for @orlandointernationalkarateopen
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1-2-3 Let’s GO!
Okinawa Team is traveling to Orlando, Florida for @orlandointernationalkarateopen
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Today is the day for 2 of our 3 athletes who are currently in Santiago, Chile at Jr Pan American Championships. @juliaannam and @robert_mat_ are prepared to step on the tatami and fight their hearts out! Sensei @vitalyokinawa and Sensei  @alexokinawa just facetimed both of them - they look excited, and their energy is at 100! @eduard_sagilyan_ is fighting tomorrow in individual kumite and on Saturday in team kumite  #RoadToPanAms was fun, now is the time to climb that peak!
So far Team USA got 1 gold, 2 silver, and 1 bronze medal. Congratulations and best of luck to everyone else who is getting ready to compete!!!
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#DreamTeamOkinawa #KarateBros #PanAmerican #KarateDenver #TeamUSA
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Today is the day for 2 of our 3 athletes who are currently in Santiago, Chile at Jr Pan American Championships. @juliaannam and @robert_mat_ are prepared to step on the tatami and fight their hearts out! Sensei @vitalyokinawa and Sensei @alexokinawa just facetimed both of them - they look excited, and their energy is at 100! @eduard_sagilyan_ is fighting tomorrow in individual kumite and on Saturday in team kumite #RoadToPanAms was fun, now is the time to climb that peak!
So far Team USA got 1 gold, 2 silver, and 1 bronze medal. Congratulations and best of luck to everyone else who is getting ready to compete!!!
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South by Southeast Festival - Aug 19, 2023
Okinawa Dojo had a lot of fun sharing our passion to karate with the community. 🥋🫶🏼👨‍👩‍👧We are grateful to all our students and their families who came to support and have fun with us yesterday at the James Bible Park.@oybek_lapasov_ @alanchik_ulyanovskiy @danilscurtul @misha_sagil @starchaklawfirm @danddi_lion @robert_mat_
@romanmuzyka5 @murochka88 @danilscurtul @skazka00
@mrsbeatbutt @slothmastermark @alexokinawa @cmapp @padalka9 @dr_padalka @vitalyokinawa @c_irkaa @efi7707#SouthBySoutheast #SXSE
#OkinawaDojo
#KarateBros
#DreamTeamOkinawa
#GoodDay #JamesBiblePark
#Festival #District4 #Denver
#Colorado #KarateSchool
#LocalCommunityThis was our 3rd year participating at this fun local festival.  Thank you @dianaromerocampbelld4 for inviting us again this year!

South by Southeast Festival - Aug 19, 2023
Okinawa Dojo had a lot of fun sharing our passion to karate with the community. 🥋🫶🏼👨‍👩‍👧

We are grateful to all our students and their families who came to support and have fun with us yesterday at the James Bible Park.

@oybek_lapasov_ @alanchik_ulyanovskiy @danilscurtul @misha_sagil @starchaklawfirm @danddi_lion @robert_mat_
@romanmuzyka5 @murochka88 @danilscurtul @skazka00
@mrsbeatbutt @slothmastermark @alexokinawa @cmapp @padalka9 @dr_padalka @vitalyokinawa @c_irkaa @efi7707

#SouthBySoutheast #SXSE
#OkinawaDojo
#KarateBros
#DreamTeamOkinawa
#GoodDay #JamesBiblePark
#Festival #District4 #Denver
#Colorado #KarateSchool
#LocalCommunity

This was our 3rd year participating at this fun local festival. Thank you @dianaromerocampbelld4 for inviting us again this year!
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South by Southeast Festival
Karate Bros are ready 😎Come see us at the booth today. @okinawadojobykaratebros students will be here from 11 am till 6 pm to help us promote karate to the community, provide short introductory fun karate mini-session.Location: James Bible Park (enter from Yale street)
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#SouthBySoutheast #SxSE
#OkinawaDojo
#KarateBros
#DreamTeamOkinawa
#GoodDay #JamesBiblePark
#Festival #District4 #Denver
#Colorado #KarateSchoolSee you soon:
@oybek_lapasov_ @alanchik_ulyanovskiy @danilscurtul @misha_sagil @starchaklawfirm @danddi_lion @kurious_kieu @valeriakormaz @juliaannam @robert_mat_ @eduard_sagilyan_ @zarinam21 @romanmuzyka5 @paco_romeo87 @arqafg @cquinn77 @mishkaart116 @lizzy_.henderson @115freckles @leonorc_p @louisbaillehache @liz_wood8 @freddie_n_the_fam @ricofromtheu @rasulov6767 @santykk13 @rony_747 @miskamichele @cmapp @milaartsfruit @murochka88 @kinleyo @yelenakaikova @bruixetagori @anet774 @arslanburcl @iamsuch @danski.18 @alivits2018 @clauditanow @alivits2018 @mrsbeatbutt @marchello.floral82

South by Southeast Festival
Karate Bros are ready 😎

Come see us at the booth today. @okinawadojobykaratebros students will be here from 11 am till 6 pm to help us promote karate to the community, provide short introductory fun karate mini-session.

Location: James Bible Park (enter from Yale street)
🥋🤩
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.
#SouthBySoutheast #SxSE
#OkinawaDojo
#KarateBros
#DreamTeamOkinawa
#GoodDay #JamesBiblePark
#Festival #District4 #Denver
#Colorado #KarateSchool

See you soon:
@oybek_lapasov_ @alanchik_ulyanovskiy @danilscurtul @misha_sagil @starchaklawfirm @danddi_lion @kurious_kieu @valeriakormaz @juliaannam @robert_mat_ @eduard_sagilyan_ @zarinam21 @romanmuzyka5 @paco_romeo87 @arqafg @cquinn77 @mishkaart116 @lizzy_.henderson @115freckles @leonorc_p @louisbaillehache @liz_wood8 @freddie_n_the_fam @ricofromtheu @rasulov6767 @santykk13 @rony_747 @miskamichele @cmapp @milaartsfruit @murochka88 @kinleyo @yelenakaikova @bruixetagori @anet774 @arslanburcl @iamsuch @danski.18 @alivits2018 @clauditanow @alivits2018 @mrsbeatbutt @marchello.floral82
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