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Golden Grip Gymnastics

REACH FOR THE TOP AMERICAN KARATE Reach For The Top offers you the best in American Karate. We are a member of the United States Karate Alliance the oldest and most prestigious organization in America. Along with the USKA, Mr. Blackledge is a member of the World Martial Arts Ranking, International Martial Arts Council and is the founder of the American Youth Sport Martial Arts Association the only organization that presents children involved in Sport Martial Arts Educational Scholarships. We offer three basic programs; American Karate for children, teens and adults, Lil’Tigers Karate for children 3 through older 5 year olds and a series of Self Defense Seminars and short programs for women and teen girls. American Karate is a mix of Okinawan, Japanese and Korean Martial Arts. This program is for the whole family. The curriculum includes; traditional karate, self defense, basic judo, kobudo (weapons) and sport karate competition. The Little Tigers is designed for children ages 3 through 5, basic martial art techniques combined with stretching and tumbling are the foundation for the Little Tigers program. All children classes start with a review of our vocabulary words; self control, respect, honesty and responsibility (many others). The program for teens and adults is similar to the program for children. The same strikes, blocks and kicks but the time spent learning vocabulary in the children class is spent learning no nonsense street self defense in the adult class. The adults regularly practice Kobudo (weapons; nunchaku, staff, sickle, fan, bokken). Self Defense is a mixture of three martial arts. Mr. Blackledge was fortunate to train directly under three world renowned Martial Arts Masters; Edmund Parker of American Kenpo, Kichiro Shimabuku of Okinawan Karate and Gwon Pugil of Korean Martial Arts. The curriculum reflects these three styles. Along with the basic striking and blocking techniques subjects include; awareness/avoidance, common weapons and the psychology of self defense. Belt rank is earned not purchased. It takes four years to attain Black Belt. This is the traditional time period established by the Okinawans and Japanese. The focus on rank promotion is the ability to perform the technique, memorize the required material and demonstrate a positive attitude. Our instructor is Covert Blackledge, he has 40 years experience. Mr. Blackledge holds 7th degree rank in American Karate, and 7th degree rank in Chung Do Kwan (Korean martial art). He also holds 8th degree Black Belt in Okinawan Kobudo (weapons). Mr. Blackledge is a member of the United States Karate Alliance and the founder of the American Youth Sport Martial Arts Association; the only 501(c) 3 in American karate that has awarded Educational Scholarships to children for the their competition in Sport Martial Arts. Covert is recognized across America as a competitor, author and instructor. To get and idea of Mr. Blackledge just Google his name and you will see that he is a well known and respected member of the American Martial Arts community. To see his students in action go to youtube.com and type in his name. You will see the quality of his students in demonstrations and competition. There are clips of Mr. Blackledge in competition in weapons and sparring. Everyone is encouraged to try two classes at no cost. We believe you will see that Mr. Blackledge's depth of knowledge, unique teaching style and his ability to communicate and work with children will convince you to stay and earn your Black Belt in American Karate. Once again thank you for considering Reach For The Top American Karate, we look forward to helping you attain your Black Belt. “Classical Martial Arts Taught With Traditional American Values” Covert Blackledge – 7th Degree Black Belt American Karate, United States Karate Alliance, 7th Degree Black Belt Chung Do Kwan Taekwon Do, International Martial Arts Council, 8th Degree Black Belt Okinawan Kobudo (weapons) International Martial Arts Council, Founder American Youth Sport Martial Arts Association, 501(c) 3 Reach For The Top American Karate is directed by Covert Blackledge. Covert has been involved in martial arts since 1971, starting under Dr. David Jordan at Texas A&M University. He is nationally recognized as an instructor, competitor, author and innovator. He holds teaching certification with the State of Texas as a Teachers Aid. He has coached swim teams in Huntsville Texas and Garland Texas. Covert has performed at Astro World, on ESPN and again on the BET Channel. He was instrumental in the Roasting of Bob Wall in 2002; Mr. Wall is famous for starring in Enter the Dragon and Return of the Dragon with his close friend Chuck Norris and the late Bruce Lee. Mr. Blackledge has trained directly under three world renowned martial artist. Master Gwon Pugil of Chung Do Kwan, Master Kichiro Shimabuku of Isshin Ryu and Master Edmund Parker of American Kenpo, Master Parker was the instructor to the stars and was instrumental in Bruce Lee getting his part on the television series “The Green Hornet”. While in the U.S. Marine Corps he trained under Master Kichiro Shimabuku of Ish Shin Ryu and Kobudo (weapons) while serving on the island of Okinawa. The Marine Corps sent him to 29 Palms California where he traveled to San Bernardino and earned his Black Belt under Master Gwon Pugil of Chung Do Kwan in May of 1978. Returning to Texas in December of 78’ Covert threw himself into competition and quickly was in the top three in Forms, and number one in Weapons, by 83’ Covert won the Triple Crown Award from Karate Illustrated Magazine for the first of three times (83’, 85’, 86’). Between 83’ and 87’ Mr. Blackledge was number one in Weapons, Sparring and Specialty Forms and in the top three in Empty Hand Forms. He was pictured and written about and has more letters and articles printed than anyone in Texas except the two world champions Linda Denley and Raymond McCallum ( Covert “grew up with” in Texas Karate with Linda and Ray). During his career Mr. Blackledge was recognized as winning every event in Texas including; Roy Kurban’s Fort Worth Pro-Am – Grand Champion Forms, Master J.Pat Burleson’s Texas State Karate Championships – first place in all four Black Belt Divisions and George Minshew's Karate Olympiks – first place in all four Black Belt Divisions. After a successful career in competition Covert settled down and was married to his smart and beautiful wife Kim and started to raise a family. Covert still competes and in 2008 he captured first place in Black Belt Masters Sparring at the USKA Nationals in Albuquerque New Mexico, this is one of the oldest events in America and has been won by men like Chuck Norris and Bill “Superfoot” Wallace. In 2003 Mr. Blackledge started the American Youth Sport Martial Arts Association and through the AYSMA he has sent many young martial artists to college. Just Google his name and you will see Covert has made contributions to martial arts throughout his 40 years of involvement (check out the video on www.youtube.com). Mr. Blackledge is one of the leading martial artists in Texas and America and he is available to you and your children. Please, join a class and give American Karate a try it’s the best of the Okinawan, Japanese, Chinese and Korean martial arts. Covert Blackledge reach_4_thetop@yahoo.com 972 530 1143 www.AYSMA.com http://www.youtube.commailto:reach_4_thetop@yahoo.comhttp://www.AYSMA.comshapeimage_4_link_0shapeimage_4_link_1shapeimage_4_link_2