United Martial Arts Academy

841 North Main Street – London, KY 40741 – (606) 862-6556

kentuckymartialarts.com

Trey Hallman, 18, a student at United Martial Arts Academy, located on North Main Street in London recently earned his 1^st degree black belt in Taekwondo. Hallman completed a grueling two-hour examination in front of his family, friends and fellow martial artists.

“The black belt exam is designed to challenge both the mind and body,” stated Instructor Jeremy Patton. “Trey has been training for many years and we knew that he was ready to be a black belt. But we wanted to give him the opportunity to prove to everyone and himself that he had the heart of a champion. Most people would’ve quit halfway through, but Trey persevered.”

The exam was a display of martial arts skill, conditioning and determination. Hallman performed an array of physical feats with little or no rest, including kicks and punches, forms, a timed push-up and sit-up test, sparring, grappling and board breaking.

“I think the audience got tired just watching him,” Patton said jokingly. “We made it really hard on him, but he knew what to expect and was well prepared.”

“The hardest part of the exam was the grappling,” said Hallman. “It was towards the end and I was tired.”

During the grappling portion of the exam, Patton lined up several students and had them grapple Hallman, one after the other, with Hallman receiving no rest.

“Yeah, that was a tough one,” Patton said smiling. “But everyone knew that Trey was in really good shape, so we had to turn things up a bit in order to break him down.”

“I try to tailor each black belt exam to the individual,” Patton added. “We always push a black belt candidate to his or her limits, but we also realize that every person’s limits are different. For example, we don’t expect a 60-year-old woman to have the same endurance and strength as a 21-year-old man.”

“There’s a common thread that should run through all black belts,” Patton continued. “I think they should have an unconquerable will. I mean that a black belt will never quit, no matter how tough the challenge. If we can instill that mind set in our students, it’ll not only help them overcome difficulties in martial arts, but also in life.”

When asked why he trained in martial arts for so long, Hallman simply replied, “I don’t allow myself to quit.”

“Martial arts has given me direction in life,” Hallman elaborated. “I was proud of my performance during the exam because I showed that I could persevere.”

“We’re all proud of Trey. He’s a fine black belt, a Leadership team member and a former Student of the Year. I’ve seen a lot of students look up to Trey and say that they hoped that they could be that good,” Patton said.

“I’d like to thank the judges at the exam: John Galluzzo, Robert Floyd, Calvin Wells and Danielle Newman,” Patton stated.

Hallman is the son of Bud and Didi Hallman of London.

Those interested in martial arts can contact United Martial Arts Academy at 862-6556 or visit kentuckymartialarts.com.