Congratulations Mr. Antonio Cruz - ATF's Newest Black Belt

On June 2, 2017 Antonio Cruz successfully tested, and was promoted to 1st Poom Black Belt at American Taekwondo & Fitness.  The test began with an oral presentation detailing his journey in the martial arts.  Then began the physical portion of the examination.  Antonio performed the poomsae: Koryo, Taegeuk Pal Jang, Taegeuk Oh Jang, and a mirrored Taegeuk Som Jang.  His self-defense skills were tested next against 4 other black belts, using strikes, takedowns, joint locks, and submissions.  The free-sparring portion of the test consisted of a 3-round tournament style match against 1st Poom Black Belt Hayden Kinstler.  Board-breaking was the final event.  Antonio smashed his way through his own routine that included a tornado kick, and a 360-turning-sidekick.  Attending the testing was Grandmaster Henk Boese, Masters John McCrackin & Davin Ohms, and black belts: Mr. Drew Ohms, Mr. Hendrick (Henkster) Boese, and Mr. Hayden Kinstler.

Antonio began taekwondo at 3 years old in 2009 attending the Kid's Class taught by Mr. Drew Ohms.  After transitioning to the all-ages/all belts classes he discovered a passion for the sport side of taekwondo, and actively participates in tournaments/seminars/camps all over Wisconsin and Minnesota.  He has developed a fierce reputation in Olympic Style free-sparring, and has only lost 1 match to date.  At 11 years old, Antonio has already received many accolades and gained the respect of his fellow TKD students.  He has begun leading classes, and has aspirations to compete at a higher level now in the black belt divisions.

2010 Testing

2013 Testing

2011 Testing

2016 with Stephen Lambdin

2015 Testing

2016 Rising Son Tournament

2017 Winter BSG Games

2017 Summer BSG Games

Stephen Lambdin TKD Camp, part 2

A small group from American TKD & Fitness got to spend an exciting weekend with 26 time USAT National Team member, and 2016 Olympian, Stephen Lambdin in Stevens Point, WI.  Joining athletes from all over Wisconsin, the emphasis of this camp was tactics and strategy in competition.

Thank you to Stephon Freeman and Alyssa Fencil for organizing and inviting us to the event.

John McCrackin, Keanan Vandenbush, Stephen Lambdin, Hendrik Boese, Matthew Herman, Jackson Herman

2017 Summer Badger State Games

Nine competitors from American Taekwondo and Fitness achieved success in boardbreaking, patterns and Olympic-style free sparring on May 13 at the 2017 Summer Badger State Games in Wausau. The group won 11 gold medals, six silver, and three bronze. Pictured: Ivan Wiltrout, Hendrik Boese, Isaac Johnson, Matthew Herman, Eli Cole, Antonio Cruz, Isaiah Yi, Jackson Herman. Coaches: Henk Boese, John McCrackin, Davin Ohms.

Stephen Lambdin Olympic Training Camp

Andria Morse, John McCrackin, Stephen Lambdin, Davin Ohms, Henkster Boese, Jackson Koller, Antonio Cruz

On September 24th and 25th a small group from American Taekwondo & Fitness attended the Stephen Lambdin Olympic Training Camp in Stevens Point, WI.  

Stephen Lambdin recently competed in the 2016 Rio Olympics in the heavyweight division, and is a 19 time national team member.  He has competed all over the world, and was once ranked 7th in the world in his division.

His experience and passion for the art was evident from the start.  The camp was broken up by age groups on the Saturday sessions, and an elite session on Sunday.  Although all the attendees received a good workout, the focus of the camp was based on content.  Lambdin's goal for the camp was for everyone to leave smarter and better equipped to win competitions.  Each group practiced similar exercises and drills with the intention of making us better overall athletes.  At the end of each session all participants got some in-ring practice, and Lamdin even got into the mix.  

A special thank you Master Steve Decker and Five Rings Martial Arts for organizing the event, and inviting us.