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In October 1989, Mr. Blakeley met Master W.L. Lang, VIII Dan, and severed his ties with the WTF and Master Sung Lee. Since that time once per month Mr. Blakeley has traveled to Albuquerque for classes with Master Lang. In November 1989 Mr. Blakeley joined the ITF/USTF. In October 1991, Mr. Blakeley tested for III Dan black belt, under Master W.L. Lang in the Bataan Memorial Park, Albuquerque, New Mexico. This test hold special memories for Mr. Blakeley because it is the only outdoor testing he knows of, he also tested into the International Taekwon-Do Federation, and his first test under Master Lang. Another unique thing about the test was, the board holder had to be supported against a tree and was very unstable. The boards still broke, however, on the third try. Mr. Blakeley certified as a class "C" referee in October 1992, class "B" in April of 1993, and became the first class "A" referee in New Mexico in November 1995. Mr. Blakeley has re-certified as a class "C" referee through YCTA in April 2002. Mr. Blakeley has had the privilege of studying with the founder of Taekwon-Do Grandmaster Choi, Hong Hi on four occasions, and was invited to the ITF World Conference in Toronto, Canada, in 1995. He was only one of four IV Dan black belts allowed to attend this conference. Mr. Blakeley was appointed to the office of New Mexico State Director for the ITF/USTF in December 1991. Mr. Blakeley has competed on over 100 tournaments in his 29-year career. Mr. Blakeley has placed at every level of competition from local tournaments to a silver medal in Sparring at the 1992 National Black Belt Championships, in Boston, Massachusetts. Mr. Blakeley competed in full contact Karate and retired with a 6 - 1 record and later created Bad Company, ENMTKD's full contact team and has trained two full contact fighters titleholders. Mr. Blakeley tested for IV Dan in Tulsa, Oklahoma, November 8, 1994. Mr. Blakeley was tested by Grandmaster C.E. Sereff, VIII Dan, and Master W.L. Lang, VII Dan. What Mr. Blakeley remembers most about this test is a torn anterior crusa ligament, resulting in major knee surgery in next month and over a year of rehabilitation? Mr. Blakeley teaches colored belt and black belt classes several times per week at ENMTKD and New Mexico state black belt workouts once per month. He has twice been invited to teach at the World Taekwon-Do Camp, Denver, Colorado. On September 26, 1998, Mr. Blakeley tested for his V Dan black belt. The Yom Chi Taekwon-Do Association test board consisted of Master W.L. Lang and Master Floyd Griffin. This was the only the second time Mr. Blakeley had tested in his hometown. The test was held at the Eastern New Mexico University campus. In October 2001, Mr. Blakeley published his third book on Taekwon-Do. This book is entitled "Taekwon-Do Etiquette and Customs." In June of 2002, Mr. Blakeley hosted the first ITF America International Instructor's Course in Albuquerque, New Mexico. This was taught by three master instructors making it a very unique event. This was also the first instructor's course Master W.L. Lang instructed for the ITF. On September 27, 2003, Mr. Blakeley tested for his VI Degree black belt. Master W.L. Lang and Master Floyd Griffin presided over the test. As a testing requirement Mr. Blakeley performed all 24 patterns up to his level of black belt. The test took three and one half hours. Mr. Blakeley was pleasantly surprised at his test when several of the high school classmates arrived at the test with black t-shits that read "Steve's Groupies." r. Blakeley feels his greatest accomplishments are yet to come. "Only when an instructor's students surpass him, has he accomplished greatness. "Greatness is not measured by the medals or trophies won but by a person's inner strength, compassion, and wisdom."
Mr. Bridges has lived in Portales since 1981 and presently a captain at the Portales Fire Department and Director of Respiratory Therapy at Roosevelt General Hospital, Portales. Mr. Bridges certified as a class "C" referee in June 1994, class "B" August 1995, and class "A" in October 1996. Mr. Bridges re-certified as a class "C" YCTA referee in June 2001. In 1986, Mr. Bridges began traveling back to his hometown of Ft. Sumner, New Mexico, once per week to teach Taekwon-Do. He instructed students in Ft. Sumner until 1987 when his job limited his travel. Mr. Manuel Lucero, one of Mr. Bridges first students, now teaches the classes in Ft. Sumner. Mr. Bridges was one of a four-member team in 1992 that represented New Mexico at the USTF National Black Belt Championships, in Boston, Massachusetts. This was the first time New Mexico had ever been represented at this level of competition. Mr. Bridges feels a high point is his career was being able to workout with Grandmaster Choi, Hong Hi, founder of Taekwon-Do, in Odessa, Texas, at the International Instructor's Course. February 1994. Mr. Bridges has competed at every level of competition from local to national, winning medals in sparring, patterns, and breaking, and is also a member of the Bad Company, ENMTKD's full contact team. On September 26, 1998, Mr. Bridges tested for IV Dan black belt. He tested into the Yom Chi Taekwon-Do Association at the first test hosted by the new association. Master W.L. Lang and Master Floyd Griffin made up the test board. In October 1998, Mr. Bridges was appointed to the position of State Administrator of New Mexico for the newly formed YCTA. He held the position until 2002 when his term expired. That same month Mr. Bridges captured the New Mexico State Grand Champion honors, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. In October 1999, Mr. Bridges won the Yom Chi Taekwon-Do Association National Grand Champion title receiving a beautiful long sword and several trophies. In June 2002, Mr. Bridges attended the ITF International Instructor's Course instructed by Master Lang, Master Steiner, and Master Griffin. Mr. Bridges feels, "Taekwon-Do has given me discipline and self-control in my personal and professional life, and also has given me a true family, my Taekwon-Do family." On
September 28, 2002, Mr. Bridges tested in Albuquerque, New Mexico, for his V Dan
black belt. Master W.L. Lang, VIII Dan and Mr. Doulas Arnold, president of the
YCTA presided over the testing. Mr. Bridges has now become the first student of
Mr. Blakeley who has obtained his instructor's rank. Mr. Blakeley and Mr. Bridges
are currently V Dan black belts.
In 1986, Mr. Hardage moved to Conchas, New Mexico, and started the second branch of ENMTKD. This branch is located in Tucumcari a few miles from his home. At that time he was a 2nd Gup red belt. The school has now graduated three students to I Dan black belt. In February 1992, he tested for I Dan, and January 1995, tested for II Dan. Mr. Hardage certified as a class "C" referee in December 1994. Mr. Hardage had the privilege of working out with Grandmaster Choi, Hong Hi in January of 1995. Mr. Hardage graduated his first black belt, Mr. Zeke Gutierrez, on July 29, 1995. Mr. Hardage is a member of Bad Company, ENMTKD's full contact team. On January 24, 1997, Mr. Hardage tested for his III Dan. Master W.L. Lang presided over the testing in Albuquerque, New Mexico. In 1998 Mr. Hardage certified his second student to I Dan black belt, Mr. Andy Lau. In February of 1999, his third student to achieve this rank was Mr. Kenny Rierson. On September 22, 2001, Mr. Hardage tested for the rank of IV Dan black belt in Portales, New Mexico. Master W.L. Lang conducted the test. His instructor Mr. Steve A. Blakeley presented Mr. Hardage his belt. In June of 2002, Mr. Hardage
attended the ITF International Instructor's Course taught by Master Lang, Master
Steiner, and Master Griffin. Mr. Scott
Fuqua, III Dan (inactive) Mr. Fuqua graduated from Eastern New Mexico University in 1997. He was the leader of the award winning ENMU Debate Team. Mr. Fuqua was responsible for teaching ENMTKD's tot class (5 - 8 years of age) between 1990 and 1997. "In the years I have been involved in Taekwon-Do, it has become an integral part of me. I owe Mr. Blakeley, Mr. Bridges, and Mr. Hardage a great deal. Each has been a source of inspiration to my progress." One of the high points of Mr. Fuqua's Taekwon-Do career was receiving Mr. Blakeley's II Dan black belt. "A black belt represents a great deal of accomplishment and sacrifice. As a result, it is an intensely personal item. When Mr. Blakeley presented it to me I was sincerely touched." Mr. Fuqua was also a member of the New Mexico black belt team to compete at the 1992 National Black Belt Championships in Boston, Massachusetts. This was the first time New Mexico had been represented at this level of competition. Mr. Fuqua has competed at every level of completion from local to national and received medal at each level. Mr. Fuqua was a member of Bad Company, ENMTKD's full contact team from 1991 to 1993. In September 1998, Mr. Fuqua left for Chicago, Illinois to attend law school and graduated in 2002. He has put off his IV Dan black belt test for school and work hoping to test one day. Mr. Fuqua was placed on the inactive list at that that time. In December of 2002,
Mr. Fuqua landed a job as a corporate lawyer with a firm in the Dallas/Ft. Worth
area. His TKD training is still on hold.
On September 26, 1998, Mr. Lucero tested in Portales for II Dan black belt. The testing was the first official test held by the newly formed Yom Chi Taekwon-Do Association. Master W.L. Lang and Master Floyd Griffin tested him for his II Dan black belt. Mr. Lucero captured second place Grand Champion in the Oklahoma State Championships in Ada, in April 2000. Bringing home a beautiful short sword for his efforts. On September
28, 2002, Mr. Lucero tested in Albuquerque, New Mexico, for his III Dan black
belt. Master W.L. Lang, VIII Dan, and Mr. Douglas Arnold, president of the YCTA
presided over the test.
Taekwon-Do is a way for families to work together on physical fitness, flexibility, self-defense and discipline. The classes give families a chance to do an activity together. Mr. Chacon has been assisting Mr. Blakeley in the tot's and adult classes since 1997. On February 5, 2000, Mr. Chacon tested for his II Dan black belt. Master W.L. Lang conducted the testing in Albuquerque, New Mexico. On September 27, 2003 Mr. Chacon tested for his III Dan. Master W.L. Lang and Master Floyd Griffin conducted the test. Mr. Chacon currently instructs the tots and junior classes at ENMTKD.
"Through Taekwon-Do I have gained excellent health and I have goals to reach for. It has taught me responsibility, self-control, and discipline. You get as much out of it as you put into it. I put in a lot of extra hours and as a result I've earned respect and won at numerous tournaments. It has made me strong in various ways." Mr. Bresler is a member of Bad Company, ENMTKD's full contact team. On March 11, 1998, Mr. Bresler traveled with Mr. Blakeley and Ms. Huber to Ireland to compete with the US team against Ireland in the USA vs. Ireland Championships. He received a gold medal for his jump reverse turning kick specialty break and a silver medal for his participation on the six-man USA team. The American visitors were invited as special guest in the St. Patrick's Day Parade a huge event held in Dublin each year. The team demonstrated Taekwon-Do breaking, sparring, and team patterns all along the parade route. In May of 1998, Mr. Bresler enlisted in the Army, to try his luck in Airborne. Mr. Bresler completed his tour of duty in May 2001 and returned to Portales to complete his college education and work for his III Dan black belt. While in the Army Mr. Bresler studied Brazilian Jujitsu and grappling. Mr. Bresler is currently
in Indiana training for the UFC, you may see him on ESPN soon.
"In Taekwon-Do I have learned a lot and have made many friends of all ages. The tenets of Taekwon-Do help me in my life everyday. The best thing I like about Taekwon-Do is that it is a lot of fun because there is so much to learn and do." On September 27, 2003 Mr. Bullard tested for his II Dan at the ENMTKD studio in Portales. Master W.L. Lang and Master Floyd Griffin conducted the test.
Ms. Brown began her Taekwon-Do training at Eastern New Mexico Taekwon-Do in the Fall of 1996, at the age of seven. Her first instructor was Mr. Scott Fuqua, III Dan. Since 2000, Ms. Brown has been an assistant instructor at the Portales branch of ENMTKD. Ms. Brown tested for 9th gup in December of 1996, earning "Best Test." She also earned "Best Test" at her 8th, 7th, 3rd, 2nd, and 1st gup tests. Since 1996, she has competed in more than 14 tournaments in four states, racking up 38 awards, trophies, and medals including six third place, 13 second place, 17 first place, and two Grand Champion trophies. Ms. Brown certified as a YCTA class "C" referee in June of 2001. Ms. Brown has made many good friends through classes at ENMTKD and at tournament and camps, and says that she enjoys "everything about Taekwon-Do." On September 27, 2003 Miss Brown tested for her II Dan black belt. Conducting the test was Master W.L. Lang and Master Floyd Griffin. The test was held in front of family and friends at the ENMTKD Portales studio. In October of 2003 Ms. Brown competed in the Texas State Invitational hosted by Master Fabian Nunez of Odessa. Ms. Brown took "Junior Grand Champion" with a 1st in patterns, 2nd in breaking and a 3rd in sparring. The grand champion belt weights more than she does. s. Brown has made many good friends through classes at ENMTKD and at tournament and camps, and says that she enjoys "everything about Taekwon-Do." His son Daniel and daughter Tina both joined him at ENMTKD and currently, Tina is a 6th gup and Daniel tested for his I Dan in November 2002. This makes the Brown father and son the first father an son black belts of the school. Since 1995 Mr. Brown has won six medals and five trophies in various tournaments from around the state. Mr. Brown has trained in other disciplines of the military arts including fencing, sword and shield, and archery. In 2001 Mr.
Brown became a local hero after wrestling a gunman to the ground at the local
Wal-mart store where he worked. It is possible he saved not only his own life
but that of several co-workers and customers. The gunman ended up shooting a hole
in the roof as Mr. Brown grabbed and controlled him until Portales Police arrived
on the scene. Ms. Virginia Schmuck, I Dan Being short, heavy, 56 years old, and never having had any athletic experience, I fully expected to be ridiculed. To my surprise, I was welcomed and treated with respect and dignity. That attitude continues to this day. I have greatly benefited from all the good people whom I have met in the discipline. I admire and appreciate all those who participate in Taekwon-Do, and I truly feel that I have the best role models and instructors available, especially my master instructor, Master Walt Lang, VIII Dan, and my instructor, Mr. Steve Blakeley, V Dan. I also appreciate all those others who have instructed me over the years, most notably Mr. Andy Fair, II Dan; Mr. James Chacon, II Dan; and Ms. Nicole Frank, I Dan. I have always received a great deal of help and encouragement from each of my seniors in Taekwon-Do. During the last 4 1/2 years I have participated in eight tournaments; I attended the YCTA summer Camp of the Southwest in 2001; I attended the first ITF American Instructors' Course, taught by three master instructors in May of 2002; I have attended a seminar with Master Choi Jung Hwa; I have assisted in instructing colored belt classes since the summer of 2002; I have served as State Administrator for YCTA since the fall of 2002; I certified as a Class C referee in April of 2003. have now achieved the level of I Dan Black Belt, as of July 12, 2003, a position I would never have imagined reaching. I accept my black belt with thankfulness to God for the opportunity and the physical endurance to reach that goal, and also for all those who have helped me. I wear it with pride for myself and the art. I hope to never be forced to give up Taekwon-Do, because doing so would mean giving up a part of my heart, my very being. I intend to do all in my power to further the education and appreciation for Taekwon-Do that I feel it deserves. Mark Yoesting, I Dan
On September 28, 2002 Ms. Frank tested for her I Dan in Albuquerque, New Mexico with Master W.L. Lang and Mr. Douglas Arnold presiding over the test. Mr. Frank achieved a long standing goal of receiving "Best Test." I have always been
an intense and fierce athlete, however, after high school and college there was
nothing to push and physically challenge me. It took only one workout with Mr.
Blakeley and his class for me to find it far exceeded any of my high expectations
of not only being challenged physically but, also mentally. Because of Mr. Blakeley's
push, drive, and high standards, I have been very fortunate to perform at many
tournaments and place at the top with the best. Many doors have been opened to
me. I now have a variety of opportunities, responsibilities, and the chance to
meet some incredible people. I hope in return I can do the same for others.
Previously training in Hapkido, Mr. Brown had to adapt to Mr. Blakeley's school. "It was hard, at first, to reprogram myself when performing techniques that where different and some of the exercise routines were different as well." However, as time progressed Mr. Brown was able to adapt to ENMTKD. "By being trained under Mr. Blakeley, I feel stronger, more flexible, and more aware of my surroundings. Currently
Mr. Brown is attending Eastern New Mexico University and is pursuing a bachelor's
degree in Biology and a minor in Music. Mr. Brown is also a work-study at University
Printing Services under Mr. Blakeley's supervision. In the summer of 2002 Mr.
Brown assisting in teaching a Taekwon-Do Upward Bound program at ENMU.
On February 26, 2005, Ms. Houston tested and received her I Dan black belt. Mr. Michael Holloway, VI Dan, from Ada , Okahoma conducted the test held in Portales, New Mexico.
Mr. Carter has received three “Best Test” stars during his nine colored belt tests. He has placed in sparring, patterns, and team patterns in many of the competitions he has attended. On February 26, 2005, Mr. Carter tested and received his I Dan black belt. Mr. Michael Holloway, VI Dan, from Ada , Oklahoma conducted the test in Portales, New Mexico. Mr. Carter received his fourth “Best Test” at this test. Mr. Carter was the youngest student to ever receive this honor at a black belt test.
Mr. Brown earned the honor of “Best Test” at three of his nine colored belt tests. Mr. Brown trained under Master Lang at the May 2002 International Instructor’s Course held in Albuquerque, New Mexico. On February 26, 2005, Mr. Brown tested and received his I Dan black belt. Mr. Michael Holloway, VI Dan, from Ada Oklahoma conducted the test. This test was held in Portales, New Mexico.
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Steve A. Blakeley, 
Mr.
Mark Hardage, IV Dan (Senior instructor Tucumcari Branch)
Mr.
Manuel Lucero, III Dan, (Senior Instructor Ft. Sumner Branch)
Mr. James Chacon, III Dan
Mr.
Bryan Bresler, II Dan
Mr. Joshua Bullard, II Dan
Ms. Audra Brown, II Dan
Mr.
Huie Brown, I Dan
Ms.
Nicole Frank, I Dan
Mr.
Daniel Brown, I Dan
Heath Williams, I Dan
Danielle Houston, I Dan
Brandon Carter, I Dan 
Keane A. Brown, I Dan |
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