Outlaw Martial Arts kicks into gear

Sisters martial artists are progressing in their art through a series of belt tests and tournaments that test their knowledge, skill, and commitment.

Every month at Sisters Park & Recreation District Outlaw Martial Arts has a belt testing. Belt testing is for those that come every week and learn new martial arts techniques, forms, sparring drills, self-defense moves and show that they are practicing the Five Tenets of Taekwondo: Courtesy, Integrity, Perseverance, Self-Control and Indomitable Spirit.

There are also mandatory time requirements between each of the belts.

Master Kaczmarek explains that there are some things that only time develops.

"If it takes doing something 1,000 times before a particular skill can be mastered, then the only thing that someone can do to improve is just put their time in," he said.

Belt testing is an open event; anyone that wants to come and watch is welcome. See the calendar at www.

outlawmartialarts.com.

Belt testing usually takes two or so hours depending on the number of students that are ready to advance.Black belts Sherri Hermans and Tammy Haynes assisted with judging in April.

Results from April's Belt Testing: Blue Belt: Tristan Kaczmarek, Tanner Kaczmarek and Tate Kaczmarek; Green Belt: Sam Hernandez, Cathy Warner and Jaymie Kaczmarek; Yellow Belt: Heather Johnson, Kim Manley, Mersadeez West, Zack Gulick, Justin Hull, Kyara West and Nick Manley; Camo Belt: Cassie Galan; White/Yellow Belt: Kevin Bravo-Lugo, McKenna Brinkman, Robert McLean-Gustat , Clay Palmer and Crista Bailey-Prentice.

Outlaw Martial Arts competes in several tournaments throughout the year. The 38th Annual Taekwondo (TKD) Championships took place at Mt. Hood Community College this last April 16, in Portland.

Master Kaczmarek had 13 students make the journey to the Portland area to compete in the championships, where 30 different schools from around the Northwest competed at Poomsae (Forms), Sparring and Board Breaking.

The results in Poomsae are: Gold: Kim Manley; Silver: Cathy Warner and Jaymie Kaczmarek; Bronze: Sam Hernandez, Talia Fluth, Eli Johnson, Shawn Kelm, Hogan Warner, Wyatt Warner, Tate Kaczmarek, Sherri Hermans

(Black Belt).

Sparring - Bronze: Sam Hernandez, Talia Fluth, Eli Johnson, Shawn Kelm and Wyatt Warner.

The results in High Board Break are: Gold Medalist: Talia Fluth; Silver Medalist: Master Kaczmarek (had an attempt at almost 8'); Bronze Medalist: Cathy Warner.

Combination Board Break - Gold: Tate Kaczmarek and Hogan Warner.

Long Distance Board Break (jumping over objects) - Silver: Master Kaczmarek.