The Academy Celebrates 30 Years with its 51st Daehanmoodo Black Belt Test

Manchester, CT – The Academy, the area’s premier center for Fitness, Defense, and Empowerment, proudly announces its 51st Daehanmoodo Black Belt Test, to be held on Saturday, November 8, 2025, at its Manchester location. This milestone event honors the dedication, perseverance, and skill of students who have devoted years to martial arts training and personal growth — while also celebrating The Academy’s 30th Anniversary.

The Daehanmoodo Black Belt Test is a longstanding tradition that embodies the core values of discipline, respect, and perseverance. It serves not only as a rigorous physical challenge but also as a deeply personal journey for each candidate. Under the guidance of Grandmaster Joel Waldron and The Academy’s senior instructors, students will demonstrate their technical proficiency, self-defense ability, and leadership as they advance to the next level of their martial arts journey.

This test highlights Nine Youth Martial Arts students, ranging in age from 11 to 13, who have each dedicated approximately four to six years to the art of Daehanmoodo — a dynamic Korean martial art that blends four distinct Korean styles - Taekwondo, Tang Soo Do, Hapkido and Judo, into one cohesive system.

“At the Academy, we don’t train for competitions — we train for real-world self defense,” explains Grandmaster Waldron. “Daehanmoodo equips its practitioners with practical strategies for every type of attack: grabs, shoves, strikes, kicks, or being taken to the ground. This makes it a truly comprehensive art — and a powerful form of self-defense for any age.”

Families, students, and community members are warmly invited to attend and celebrate the accomplishments of these remarkable individuals. The test will be held at The Academy of Martial Arts & Personal Development, 1404 Tolland Turnpike, Manchester, CT 06042, beginning at approximately 10:30 a.m. and concluding around 4:30 p.m.

For 30 years, The Academy has remained dedicated to helping students build confidence, focus, and self-discipline through martial arts. The upcoming Black Belt Test represents not only the hard work and determination of each candidate but also the ongoing vitality of The Academy’s mission to inspire growth, strength, and empowerment in every student.

For more information:

• Visit www.TheAcademy.us and take a 3D walk-through of our state-of-the-art facility.
• Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube Channel
• Contact us at (860) 646-7993 / office@TheAcademy.us.
• Visit us at 1404 Tolland Turnpike, Manchester, CT 06042.