Martial arts leads Chavez to Hall of Fame
Submitted by FightNewsUSA on March 15, 2010 – 8:31 amNo Comment
Originally found at http://cibolabeacon.com/
Written By Mark Teshima
A lifetime of achievements was recognized earlier this month when Master Antionette Chavez became the latest Martial Arts Hall of Fame inductee, at an annual awards banquet held in Las Vegas, Nev.
Chavez’ road to the hall of fame started in Grants, where she was born and raised, with the simple act of signing up for karate classes with a couple of cousins at age 11.
She worked hard, and through her high school years quickly gained respect in the world of martial arts tournaments.
1984 became a pivotal year for Chavez when her father passed. She found her own way through college with scholarships, but bills still had to be paid for as well as classes with her new instructor, Greg Polland. Polland offered a new style of karate and was an elite fighter in the country.
One day at a car wash, she was approached by a woman looking for more classes to fill the studio. Chavez began teaching karate and hasn’t stopped.
By the time Chavez was 22, she had met her goal of being inducted into the AAU All American Fighters Hall of Fame. The young master had exceeded the studio’s capacity and needed a solution. She took out a $500 credit card and was offered a month free as she opened up a new 800 sq. ft. studio for her 50 students. She used the facility until 2004, when she purchased her own building.
While Master Chavez became renowned for her ability to win tournaments, totaling close to 400 in her career and 30 grand championships, it became apparent her students were masters of the arts as well.
“I love competing and doing well,” said Chavez. “Then my focus changed to helping them win.”
She spends countless hours with her student in preparation to qualify beyond the state level. Once her students get an invitation to a national competition, a mandatory four hours of practice a week comes into place.
“My students work hard and practice,” said Master Chavez “ I don’t want them to hurt or humiliate themselves at a national competition. I’m proud of all my students, it is important for me that they do well.”
Over the past ten years, more than 85 percent of her students competing in a national competition were awarded gold medals.
In addition to coaching and competing, Master Chavez is an AA-ranked referee for the AAU and an A-3 level referee for USA Taekwondo. Currently she is the regional referee director for AAU taekwondo in New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, and Arizona where she trains and certifies referees for the four-state area. Master Chavez is also the AAU’s director for taekwondo in New Mexico.
“There are many successful masters,” said Chavez, “I’m just happy to be one of them.”
Written By Mark Teshima
A lifetime of achievements was recognized earlier this month when Master Antionette Chavez became the latest Martial Arts Hall of Fame inductee, at an annual awards banquet held in Las Vegas, Nev.
Chavez’ road to the hall of fame started in Grants, where she was born and raised, with the simple act of signing up for karate classes with a couple of cousins at age 11.
She worked hard, and through her high school years quickly gained respect in the world of martial arts tournaments.
1984 became a pivotal year for Chavez when her father passed. She found her own way through college with scholarships, but bills still had to be paid for as well as classes with her new instructor, Greg Polland. Polland offered a new style of karate and was an elite fighter in the country.
One day at a car wash, she was approached by a woman looking for more classes to fill the studio. Chavez began teaching karate and hasn’t stopped.
By the time Chavez was 22, she had met her goal of being inducted into the AAU All American Fighters Hall of Fame. The young master had exceeded the studio’s capacity and needed a solution. She took out a $500 credit card and was offered a month free as she opened up a new 800 sq. ft. studio for her 50 students. She used the facility until 2004, when she purchased her own building.
While Master Chavez became renowned for her ability to win tournaments, totaling close to 400 in her career and 30 grand championships, it became apparent her students were masters of the arts as well.
“I love competing and doing well,” said Chavez. “Then my focus changed to helping them win.”
She spends countless hours with her student in preparation to qualify beyond the state level. Once her students get an invitation to a national competition, a mandatory four hours of practice a week comes into place.
“My students work hard and practice,” said Master Chavez “ I don’t want them to hurt or humiliate themselves at a national competition. I’m proud of all my students, it is important for me that they do well.”
Over the past ten years, more than 85 percent of her students competing in a national competition were awarded gold medals.
In addition to coaching and competing, Master Chavez is an AA-ranked referee for the AAU and an A-3 level referee for USA Taekwondo. Currently she is the regional referee director for AAU taekwondo in New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, and Arizona where she trains and certifies referees for the four-state area. Master Chavez is also the AAU’s director for taekwondo in New Mexico.
“There are many successful masters,” said Chavez, “I’m just happy to be one of them.”
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Martial arts leads Chavez to Hall of Fame
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