Nationally known martial arts instructors teach at Lehigh grand opening

By Staff | Aug 6, 2009

Sensei Jeff Reach and Sensei Tim Morgan demonstrate a judo technique

USA Martial Arts Florida celebrated the opening of their new Lehigh Acres training center July 24 and 25 by hosting a two-day seminar featuring local and national instructors, including two karate gold medal winners in the USA National KarateDo Federation National Championships and the Junior Pan Am Games. Seminar attendees were treated to a demonstration of Olympic-level sparring by Tyler Wolfe (17) and Alice Nimmo (15).

Their coach, Jason Sorgi, from Katsu Dojo in Gainesville, Fla., held a sparring clinic as part of the seminar, and students were able to go toe-to-toe with Tyler and Alice.

“It was exciting! Alice is really fast,” said Samantha Reach, 9.

The event was attended by students and instructors from around the country, and utilized the full 2,200-plus square feet of mat space. Friday and Saturday seminar sessions were held for youth and adult students, with multiple instructors in each session. A team of instructors from USA Martial Arts in Birmingham, Ala.,, Tim Morgan, Robert Blackston, and Alan Glaze, instructed students in holds, pins, joint locks and grappling using Aikido, Judo and Jujitsu techniques.

Students also practiced self defense with these techniques, and learned a weapons form with the short knife, called a tanto. Students appreciated the opportunity to train with different instructors.

Student Elijah Hintz spars with Alice Nimmo

“It was fun with all of the black belts,” said Alyssa Herndon, 10.

Rounding out the weekend, several instructors from Koryu Uchinadi Florida, headed by Nick De Paolo, taught self-defense from repeated attacks, including standing and ground defenses. Participants learned a patterned defense drill which included multiple defenses in a sequence.

“It was incredible to be able to train with all of these black belts from different schools in one place,” said Mary Kay Cassani, an adult student in the Lehigh training center. “I learned so much in one short weekend, it was amazing.”

“We have been truly honored to host these talented individuals for this seminar,” said Jeff Reach, president and chief instructor at USA Martial Arts Florida. “By sharing their time, talent and energy with us, our grand opening is a success.”

USA Martial Arts Florida is located in the Winn Dixie Plaza on Homestead Rd. in Lehigh Acres. Programs include Aikido, Aiki-Judo, Iaido, Judo, Jujitsu, Karate, and TaeKwonDo, with classes for ages 3 and up. Family and multi-art discounts are available. For more information call 239.303.DOJO (3656), or visit www.LehighKarate.com.