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Grand Master Dennis Engard |
In the year
of 1958, at the age of 8, Master Engard started his journey in the Martial Arts.
Only a few movies were out at that time and they were never in the English language,
but all the high kicks and flashy moves fascinated Mr. Engard. There was a martial
arts demonstration at Mr. Engard’s elementary school and because of this Mr.
Engard was hooked. He was fortunate that there was an instructor that taught
Tae Kwon Do fairly close to his home and was allowed to take class.
It was a
very “traditional” type of class where the newest student had to sweep and clean
the floors before each practice. Discipline, honor, and respect were taught,
which Mr. Engard has continued to teach to this day. The instructor did not
take it easy just because he was young. In those days, most students were adults,
only a handful was children. Mr. Engard was hooked. As he grew, so did his desire
for the martial arts. Not only did he learn self-defense techniques along with
forms and fighting, he also learned the essence of the martial arts. Belt advancement
was not like we have today. There were only 6 belts to become a Black Belt.
Promotion tests were hard and very physical. His instructor would not promote
a student to Black Belt until they were at least 16 years of age and the younger
a student was; the harder it was to get promoted. At the age of 17, Mr. Engard
proudly was promoted to Black Belt. Although during his school years Mr. Engard
played many sports, he still found time to train 3-5 days a week. The martial
arts had become a way of life to him, as it has for many martial artists over
the years. Mr. Engard’s instructor allowed him to teach basics to the beginners
at the age of 15, and with this Mr. Engard had found his calling. Mr. Engard
had decided he wanted to have his own school and teach his own students one
day.
In 1971, Mr. Engard opened his first school, Engard School of Karate in Galion,
Ohio. The second school was opened in Bucyrus, Ohio in 1972. The third school
was opened in Upper Sandusky in 1973. In 1976 the fourth school was opened in
Mansfield, Ohio. Actively competing throughout the country on the “Open” circuit
as they used to call it, Mr. Engard gained the nickname “Animal”. Mr. Engard
won many awards in forms, fighting, and weapons. Therefore Animals Karate Club
was formed in 1973 combining the 3 schools. This name stayed until 1990 when
Grand Master Engard formed and developed his own system called the American
Tae Kwon Do Systems. Having studied Hapkido and Kenpo over the years and receiving
Black Belts in each discipline, Mr. Engard has developed a unique combination
of self-defense. Mr. Engard has realized that no one style was better than another
and that combining the three styles gave the student a greater chance of defending
themselves. Being that Mr. Engard’s highest Black Belt rank is in Tae Kwon Do,
he has maintained the Tae Kwon Do identification. Mr. Engard also has studied
Kendo and Tai Chi and uses some of these methods in his teachings. Mr. Engard
also had formed the “Power Union Kickboxing Club” which has produced many champions
over the years including women as well as men. Mr. Engard has had the pleasure
of training under some well known instructors such as Il Ju Kim, Tong Choo Choi,
Gary Harris, George Anderson, Bob Chaney, Kip Soo Han, Robert Pildredge, Anthony
Palum, Soke Jake Allen as well as Master Chuck Norris during his years of training
to name just a few. Mr. Engard has organized and directed tournaments that have
had Billy Blanks, Cynthia Rothrock, Woody Fairbanks, Jay T. Will, Al Gene Caraluia,
Dennis Janes, James Cook, Jacque Tarr, Mickey Scodova, Mike Hixson Sr., Mike
Hixson Jr., in attendance. Mr. Engard has sponsored events with Bill “Superfoot”
Wallace and also Kathy Long. Mr. Engard published Ohio Karate Magazine in the
early 70’s that had many well known martial artists contributing articles to
the publication. Mr. Engard and his Black Belts have also produced a video of
a script written by one of his students. Mr. Engard says the memories of all
these years in the martial arts are truly unforgettable. He also says the memories
are still in the making. Martial arts training are a journey and the good times
and even the bad times form one’s character.
In the 43 years of having his own schools, Mr. Engard has had the privilege of promoting 74 of his students to the rank of Black Belt, which is a testimony to his teachings. Some are teaching their own schools to this day. Mr. Engard is very proud of these accomplishments above all others he has achieved. Mr. Engard feels the true measure of how good an instructor is how well his students have learned. Mr. Engard realizes he himself is still learning and striving to better himself in the martial arts. Mr. Engard reminds his students often that he does not have all the answers. Mr. Engard believes that the instructor makes the difference between a good student and a bad student. He encourages his students to check other instructors out and see what and how they teach and gain any knowledge that is offered. All certificates of rank and accomplishments of Grand Master Engard’s are available for verification. Please contact Mr. Engard for any information desired.