DISCLAIMER: Training and practicing in the martial arts is inherently dangerous. All training, with exception of practicing Patterns as explained by the instructors of this Academy, should be pursued only in the controlled environment and under the supervision of a trained instructor.

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  July 19, 2008 - Family Picnic and BBQ at the Beach

We looked up and the sun was shining.  We looked around and saw our fellow BBX family members smiling and sweating.  And so it was on this spectacular hot summer day as we gathered for a Taekwon-Do outdoor training session followed by a picnic and BBQ at Fitzroy Harbour Provincial Park and beach.

Once we did our mandatory kicking, punching, and even jogging and "grassy push-ups", we all enjoyed this perfect summer day, whether it was spent relaxing and lounging by the beach, splashing around or 'fishing' in the Ottawa river, building sand structures (including the famous 'Staircase to Success'), or blowing a gazillion bubbles in the wind.

Thank you everyone for your continued dedication and support!

To view photos of this event, click here

June 29, 2008 - Bruce Lee's Jeet Kune Do Seminar in Ottawa

It was a rare and outstanding training and learning opportunity this weekend as Sifu Ted Wong, an original student of the martial arts pioneer, movie star, and legend Bruce Lee, taught a Jeet Kune Do Seminar right here in Ottawa.

"Using No Way as the Way."

A few dedicated students, including Mr. Phil Nguyen, trained intensely and practiced stances and footwork, fast punching drills, punching and kicking combinations, as well as the philosophy of Bruce Lee.  Although Mr. Nguyen's forearms were sore from the 100's of punches thrown during the 5 hours of training on Day 2, he felt honoured and enriched for the experience having met such a knowledgeable and devoted master, Sifu Ted Wong, and many of his assistant instructors from Ottawa and Montreal.

"Knowing is not enough, we must apply.
 Willing is not enough, we must do."
- Bruce Lee

Mr. Nguyen still remembers watching Bruce Lee movies (The Big Boss, Fists of Fury, Enter the Dragon, etc.) on his father's Betamax video cassette player back in the 1970's and so it was a thrill to actually learn the art of his boyhood hero a few decades later.

Thank you Bruce Lee, Sifu Ted, and all the sifus for organizing this event and to Sifu Brian Dean for inviting me.

To view photos of this event, click here

June 4, 2008 - U.K. and Canada Friendship Night

Our BBX Martial Arts Academy was graced by the presence of a British Taekwon-Do family visiting from the U.K. Mr. Wayne Higginson, 5th Degree Black Belt, Mrs. Maxene Higginson, 3rd Degree Black Belt, owners of Burbage Taekwon-Do Academy in England, and their daughter Emily, 1st Degree Black Belt, were welcomed to train at our dojang during their visit to Canada. Mr. Higginson even served as a Guest Instructor and taught us some patterns and dynamic kicking drills.

It was a most positive, enjoyable, and friendly exchange between "brothers and sisters of Taekwon-Do" separated by the Atlantic Ocean but united by the martial art we love.

Thank you Higginsons and Taekwon!

To view photos of this event, click here

May 30, 2008 - Ninja Night - Parents' Night Out

Parents take the night off while kids have fun - a great concept that was embraced by over 25 families and enjoyed by all, including Leadership Team Members.  We all had fun with Taekwon-Do and Weapons training, dynamic drills and skills, and with the highlight of watching the classic Rush Hour movie starring Jackie Chan on our makeshift big screen in the dojang.

Due to the positive success of this event, we can look forward to more future Ninja Nights (Parents' Night Out) at our BBX academy.

To view photos of this event, click here

May 24, 2008 - Ultimate Black Belt Test Results

It was one of the most successful Ultimate Black Belt Tests at BBX with students passing all requirements to achieve the coveted and respected Black Belt.

Congratulations to all!

One of my proudest moments in Taekwon-Do was when I broke my first board. At first I felt unsuccessful, but when I broke my first board, I felt like I could break another hundred. I felt so proud of myself, knowing that I should never fear breaking a board ever again. - Vivian C.

At a time I did feel like quitting Taekwon-Do. But Mr. Nguyen encouraged me and so I decided to continue and push myself. I am truly glad that I have continued as far as I have and I would certainly like to continue the path in martial arts. - Jarid M.

Thank you for a wonderful black belt testing experience! I really enjoyed the entire process and it was a huge success. Thank you for all your support over the past years, I'm so excited to have finally reached my goal of Black Belt!  I am looking forward to competing in future tournaments and teaching opportunities in our academy. I will not quit at first degree – it is just the start on a new road in Taekwon-Do as a black belt. I envision it as being a member in the ultimate club – a club I’ve wanted to belong in for a long time. I also want to be there as my children continue with the pursuit of their own Taekwon-Do goals. - Deanne D.

Balancing life, my university studies, and family with Taekwon-do is always a challenge, but it is one I enjoy for all the benefits I gain from training and studying the martial art of Taekwon-Do. - Andrew W.

What I enjoy most about my Taekwon-Do training is that by learning self-defense I feel a lot safer when walking around outside alone. I also like training with my friends. - Blair W.

Some of the benefits I've gained by training at BBX: Perseverance, self-defense, and extreme discipline. - Marko S.

Some benefits I have gained are that my fitness has improved greatly by working out almost everyday at Taekwon-Do. I have become more confident in myself in everything I do. Taekwon-Do changed my life and I'll never forget all the life skills I have learned; self-confidence, showing respect, justice as a way of life. - Carmen C.

         
I have learned to be less shy and have more confidence. - Patrick J.

Through my Taekwon-Do training, my fitness has greatly improved. Before I started Taekwon-Do, I wasn't able to do a single proper push-up. I now also have the ability to defend myself whereas before, I would probably scream and cry. It has also given me many different leadership opportunities. Taekwon-Do has helped me develop the mental and physical strength to do things that I believe I would never have been able to do if it weren't for my training. - Sylvia C.

One of my favorite things about training at BBX is that everyone is so close. Also, the quality of training is great. - Sam J.

Some of the benefits I have gained through my Taekwon-Do training are not only do I know more about how to defend myself in dangerous situations, I have learned skills such as public speaking when teaching the Little Dragons. - Tyanna M.

The value of spiritual and mental well-being achieved through martial arts are just as important as the physical benefits. I've also learned to think carefully about what's really important in life and focus on that, not to get distracted by the unimportant. Although I was thrilled to achieve 1st Dan, I'm particularly proud of what I've accomplished while training as a black belt student. We don't know it at the time, but the 1st Dan opens up a whole new world of Taekwon-Do to be discovered. - Shawn G.

I have learned that when you find obstacles in life that stop you from doing what you want, you find solutions. - Tristan G.

To view photos of this event, click here

May 10, 2008 - Can-Am Cup Taekwon-Do Tournament Results

Congratulations to our BBX Tournament Team who was not only awarded the "Most Supportive School" trophy, but successfully represented our Black Belt Excellence Martial Arts Academy at this tournament in Ottawa, Ontario and brought back home a record:

50 medals!
 28 Gold, 11 Silver, 11 Bronze

After months of training, our Family Patterns Teams did well with the BBX Dragons taking the gold, the BBX Tigers winning silver, and the BBX Eagles earning the bronze medal.

Whether you won or not, you are all winners for having the courage to compete and for dedication to do your best. If you didn't win, your instructor's advice is: to train harder.  If you did win, congratulations, your instructor's advice is: to train harder!  Also, remember that even if you did not win a medal this time, you took one step closer to your next medal.

Thank you to Master Eric Ah-Yuen and his Winning Circle team of organizers who did a super job!

To view photos of this event, click here

May 3, 2008 - CHEO Martial Arts Train-a-Thon

100% Fun.  100% Fundraiser.  100% Martial Arts.  It was a Disney World for over 300 martial artists across the region who participated in a full day of martial arts training (Jiu-Jitsu, Grappling, Karate, Muay Thai Kickboxing, Weapons and Taekwon-Do) while  raising over $10,000 for the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) (of which BBX raised over $1,200).  The energy was high, the learning was enlightening and empowering, and the spirit of the martial arts and camaraderie was truly special and unforgettable.

It was a particularly great honour for Mr. Phil Nguyen to be invited as the representative to teach Taekwon-Do to the martial arts enthusiasts who included children, teens, and adults from white belt to Black Belt.

Thank you to Bill and Brigitte Gatchell and their 100% Martial Arts and Fitness Team for inviting us to take part in this incredible event.

To view photos of this event, click here

April 25, 2008 - Leadership Excellence Program Featured in Local Media

Congratulations to our teen Leadership Team members who were featured in the Kanata EMC in an article entitled "Youth leading the way for children in martial arts program."  Your loyalty and dedication to our Leadership Excellence program brings great pride and honour to our academy, to your parents, and to yourselves. Keep up the great work!

Click here or on the image below to enlarge and read the full article

April 24, 2008 - Bully Busters at 1st Wolf Cub Pack

Our Bully Busters program continues to make a difference in our community with school-aged children.  On this spring evening in Stittsville, a group of 20+ Cubs (part of Scout Canada) aged 8-10 enjoyed a high energy session on how to respond positively to bullying.

To view photos of this event, click here

April 22, 2008 - Self-Defence Seminar for Girl Guides

As part of our ongoing efforts to help build a strong community, in addition to Bully Busters, BBX offers free Self-Defence Seminars to members of our community and on this night, did so for local Girl Guides.

With the help of female members of our BBX Teen Leadership Team, the 30th Kanata Pathfinders (girls aged 12-14) learned about the importance of assertiveness and non-verbal body language, street awareness tips, and self-defence training and techniques.  The Girl Guides were even treated to a Taekwon-Do Demo by our Leadership Team members.  These young ladies are all our future leaders in society.

  To view photos of this event, click here

April 19, 2008 - Martial Arts Fun Day

Today was a great day to be a martial arts student.

We kicked started the day with a BBX Taekwon-Do Demo at the Bridlewood Community Elementary School to help celebrate its 20th Year Anniversary and Cultural Fair.  The Demo consisted of the 30+ person Family Demo Team, the Women of Taekwon-Do Demo, and our X-Treme Demo Team, followed by a mini-Demo by our Kanata Councillor, all in front of an active crowd of 200+ people.  The Bridlewood school gym is exactly where our academy was founded over 20 years ago so it was definitely a special moment for Mr. Phil Nguyen and our school.

To view photos of this event, click here

In the afternoon, 40+ students and family members of our academy gathered at the theatre for the much-anticipated TKD Teambuilder and movie premiere of "The Forbidden Kingdom" starring martial arts superstars Jackie Chan and Jet Li.  It was an action-packed movie that not only featured drama, action, fantasy, and humour, but strong martial arts values as well.  They even made a reference to Taekwon-Do at the beginning of the movie (pretty rare thing in a Kung Fu movie)!

"Martial arts teaches you the way.
 But ultimately, everyone finds their own way."

BBX students pumped up about Jackie Chan and Jet Li

Then, the evening concluded with the highly-hyped UFC 83 in Montreal featuring hometown hero Georges St-Pierre who defeated Matt Serra to re-claim his welterweight crown in front of a sold-out rocking crowd of 22,000, the first ever UFC event in Canada.  This made Mr. Nguyen's training with GSP back in January (see post below) that much more special to have had the opportunity train with such a classy and talented martial arts fighter and champion.  GSP!  GSP!  GSP!

And so it was, on this Martial Arts Fun Day.

GSP preparing for his fight back in January by finishing Mr. Nguyen :-)

April 11, 2008 - BBX Featured on CFRA Talk Radio

Phil and Amelia Nguyen were featured on CFRA with hosts Walter Traversy and Pina Bernardi on the Friday Market Monitor, talking about the history of our BBX Academy and its successful integration and involvement in the community of Kanata.

To download the podcast of the interview, click here

***Special Online Promotion for CFRA Listeners***

To receive a gift certificate that entitles CFRA Listeners who heard us on the Friday Market Monitor show to 1-month of FREE Taekwon-Do lessons at our award-winning martial arts academy, click here

April 5, 2008 - Tournament Team brings home 15 medals!

Congratulations to the 10 participants listed below who successfully represented our Black Belt Excellence Martial Arts Academy at the Canadian Elite Taekwon-Do Invitational in Ottawa, Ontario and brought back home:

15 medals! 4 Gold, 6 Silver, 5 Bronze

Whether you won or not, you are all winners for having the courage to compete and for dedication to do your best. If you didn't win, your instructor's advice is: to train harder.  If you did win, congratulations, your instructor's advice is: to train harder!  Also, remember that even if you did not win a medal this time, you took one step closer to your next medal.

I would like to thank all the instructors of Taekwon-Do Black Belt Excellence Academy. We are very proud of our first participation in a Taekwon-Do tournament.  The hard work and training at the Academy helped me to get back some of the flexibility and endurance I had already lost. The advice I received on sparring and training on the treadmill helped me to improve my skills and endurance for the sparring at the tournament. - J. Pimentel

I have been training Taekwon-Do since September 2006 and I would like to say it has been important in my life because it helps me to overcome my fears. Today I have a goal to keep training Taekwon-Do to improve my health, fitness and help me to overcome my challenges. - S. Pimentel

I would like to thank all the instructors for helping me. - E. Pimentel

To view photos of this event, click here

March 28, 2008 - Weapons Seminar (Nunchakus) Wows Students

Shihan Bill Gatchell, founder of 100% Martial Arts wowed over 40 participants from BBX and Almonte Taekwon-Do with a fast-action seminar on the weapon made famous by the legendary Bruce Lee, the nunchaku.  The children and youth were thrilled to do performance training and tricks while the teens and adults appreciated the practical self-defence applications and nunchaku kata.

The evening culminated with a special presentation of "Tiger stripe" nunchakus to Mr. Phil Nguyen and Mr. Ralph Marin by Shihan Gatchell, which was a great honour.

Thank you Sensei Bill, we look forward to welcoming you again for future seminars!

To view photos of this event, click here

Children and Youth "Weapons Warriors"

Teens and Adults "Weapons Warriors"

March 1, 2008 - BBX Leadership Team Joins Sens Army

As a token of our appreciation for the loyalty, support, and dedication of our Leadership Team, Black Belt Excellence enjoyed a Senators hockey game against the young and upcoming Pittsburgh Penguins in our very own Sens Supersuites.

The food was abundant, the spirit was high, and our BBX Leadership Team joined another Sens Army sellout of 20,000+ loud and proud fans as we cheered our Sens on to a much-needed 5-4 victory.

Thank you Leadership Team and Go Sens Go!

To view photos of this event, click here

BBX is a proud supporter of the Ottawa Senators

February 10, 2008 - Mr. Lam - Rest in Peace

In honour of Mr. Phil Nguyen's father, there will be NO CLASSES this Wednesday, February 13 and Thursday, February 14, due to his funeral services. Mr. Lam Nguyen is survived by his beloved sons Phil & David, his wife, family and grandchildren. Thank you for your prayers, understanding and support.

To view some of Phil's favourite photos of his father, click here

February 8, 2008 - Weapons Seminar (Bo Staff) A Thrill for Students

Shihan Bill Gatchell, founder of 100% Martial Arts thrilled over 40 participants with a mind-opening seminar on how to use the Bo staff, one of the most traditional weapons in the martial arts.

Children, teens, and adults alike learned strikes, blocks, and practical techniques in a serious and spartan and yet fun and dynamic environment (some were even see to be sweating from the physical and mental challenge as this was the first time experience with weapons for some).

Thank you sensei Bill, we look forward to welcoming you again for our next Weapons Seminar (Nunchakus) on Friday, March 28!

To view photos of this event, click here

Children and Youth "Weapons Warriors"

Teens and Adults "Weapons Warriors"

February 4, 2008 - Bully Busters at St-Laurent Academy

January 12, 2008 - BBX Team Meets and Trains with Georges St. Pierre

G-S-P!  G-S-P!  G-S-P!

Mr. Phil Nguyen and members of his BBX Team, along with over 500 martial artists from the community, got the unique opportunity to meet and train with UFC Interim Welterweight Champion Georges St. Pierre (GSP) in Ottawa this weekend.

Georges St. Pierre - UFC Champion with Phil Nguyen

It was a phenomenal weekend that started with a Meet and Greet at Local Heroes on the Friday night where a legion of over 400 supercharged fans got the chance to have a picture and autograph session with the MMA fighter who recently defeated Matt Hughes. Although it was a 3 to 6 hour wait to meet the man himself, it was well worth it for the fans who continually chanted G-S-P!  G-S-P!  G-S-P! throughout the night.  GSP was gracious and classy and fulfilled his promise of sticking around until the very end, which finished around 2am for some.

With only a few hours sleep for many, martial artists gathered the next day for some MMA training with GSP.  In the morning Striking Seminar, most participants hailed from the striking arts such as Taekwon-Do, Karate, Boxing, Muay Thai, Kickboxing, and others.  We learned some of the fast and powerful no-nonsense kicking and punching techniques that have helped GSP become a champion.

BBX Team and friends with GSP

GSP with Striking Seminar participants

In the afternoon Grappling Seminar, there were mostly martial artists from the jiu-jitsu, BJJ, and Judo, grappling, wrestling, and MMA community.  We learned some powerful takedowns, ground techniques, and various submissions.  Oh yes, did I mention there were some crazy-intense conditioning push-up and sit-up drills in between.

GSP is not only known as a fierce fighter, but he was a most charismatic, humourous, and respected martial arts teacher who brought together our local martial arts community in a safe, supportive, and positive environment where many friendships were made, new techniques were learned, and history was created in the nation's capital.

GSP showing Phil a finishing move.

GSP with Grappling Seminar participants

To cap off the weekend that will surely be remembered and talked about for years to come, a VIP Dinner was held at the Byward Market for some of the corporate sponsors and supporting schools, including Black Belt Excellence Martial Arts Academy.

GSP with Phil and Amelia

Thank you to 100% Martial Arts (Shihan Bill Gatchell and Brigitte Gatchell) and Sport MMA (Sensei Aksell) for hosting this first-class and incredible event and thank you to GSP for being such a great ambassador for the ever growing sport of MMA (Mixed Martial Arts).

GSP is a genuine martial artist who trains hard, lives by martial arts principles, does his best, and inspires us to do the same.

G-S-P!  G-S-P!  G-S-P!

To view exclusive photos of this event, click here

Can you find Phil?

December 19, 2007 - Train with a UFC Champion!

Kick off the New Year by training with (interim) UFC Champion, Canadian Georges St. Pierre, coming to the nation's capital to offer MMA seminars on Saturday, January 12, 2008.  He is only the second Canadian to become a UFC Champion.