The Hattatsu Ryu Yudanshakai takes great pride in welcoming its newest inductees after one of the most exciting Black Belt tests we have ever witnessed. Heidi Lyndaker, Andrew Wagoner, Kate James, Matt Healy and Kevin Mulvehill put it all on the line on August 14th as they demonstrated all their talents during a four-hour test. The candidates performed group kata (forms), individual kata, all waza (techniques), nage waza, (throws), katame waza (grappling), and goshin jitsu (self-defense) from both empty handed and armed attackers. They finished off with kumite (sparring) against their classmates then with each other.

Although words could never do justice to the immense sense of pride and gratitude we have for these students, suffice to say we are honored to have them as students and friends. We wish them all the best as their training continues. They know that although attaining a Black Belt in Hattatsu Ryu Karate shows they have an excellent understanding of their concepts and skills, it is a beginning to much more.

Please join us in congratulating them when you see them. Stop, bow and let them know how happy you are to have them in your life. We certainly are!

Sensei Ingallina has been teaching martial arts for 22 years and holds three other black belts, but says this one was the most rewarding.

Ingallina stated, “To receive an award such as this from a man of Patrick McCarthy’s stature is truly an honor. It was a long but extremely rewarding journey. The biggest thrill for me is to be able to share the knowledge I have obtained with my fellow instructors and students.” Mr. Ingallina has owned the United Martial Arts Center in Brighton for twelve years and the school by the same name in Victor for three. Along with teaching karate, he regularly teaches many law enforcement personnel and is an advisory board member at Rape Crisis Services of Rochester.

“I am very proud to be able to have an individual such as John Ingallina as a representative of our tradition. His quick ascent was due to his lifelong study of the arts and a true passion that is evident whenever he steps on the floor,” says Hanshi McCarthy.