April 24th, 2008
Neighborhood Post sports profile: Becca Ross Video is courtesy of Palm Beach Bost.

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April 22nd, 2008
Marissa Mayer - Hometown Hero Video is courtesy of WPRI.

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April 1st, 2008
A little lady you sure don't want to be messing with! Video is courtesy of My9 TV.

By RICK WEBER, Houston Chronicle Correspondent

Before Colbey Northcutt's first kickboxing match in 2003, Texas Amateur Contact Karate Association's vice president Kerry Hatley told her that her opponent was a no-show.

Northcutt was disappointed, until Hatley hatched a plan. Although association rules prevented mixing boys and girls in official matches, Northcutt could fight a boy in an exhibition.

A Corpus Christi boy who was two years older also had a no-show opponent. Hatley pointed toward the boy, who was sporting a Mohawk and grunting loudly for extra effect.

READ MORE

March 4th, 2008
Dix Hills girl goes for gold in martial arts
JULIE JANOVSKY | Special to Newsday

She's only 10, but Samantha Smith of Dix Hills is already an accomplished martial artist.

Her kinetic back flips and explosive kicks, strikes and spins have been dominating the North American Sport Karate Association junior circuit since she started competing nationally four years ago.

She's a six-time NASKA world champion, competing in 12 tournaments last year (in seven divisions at each tournament) and landing 43 first-place finishes. Now, the precocious junior black belt, who goes by the nickname Sammy, will be heading to St. Petersburg, Russia, in April, representing the U.S. junior team in the Martial Arts Olympics. READ MORE

Feb. 25th, 2008

http://newportplaintalk.com

By: KATHY HEMSWORTH
Source: The Newport Plain Talk
02-14-2008 A Cosby man who pastors a church, and who is a well-known martial arts expert, has been given the opportunity of a lifetime. Dr. Dan Netherland has been invited to represent the United States in the Martial Arts Olympics in St. Petersburg, Russia, which is set for April. "This is an enormous honor," said Netherland. "I am very excited to have this opportunity." As if being asked to represent his country in the event wasn't enough, he has also been asked to preside over the breaking competition, which he said is another great honor. Netherland is the Guinness Breaking Champion. He holds Guinness records for breaking 55 blocks of poured cement, weighing a total of 3,104 pounds, by hand in only 17.45 seconds and for breaking 76 red house bricks by hand in 25 seconds. In addition, he holds World Records, and he is the official undisputed World Power-Breaking Champion. Having been inducted into four martial arts halls of fame, he has also been given the "Living Legend" in martial arts status. Dr. Netherland has shattered 20 inches of standing concrete through a S.W.A.T. issue, class 3A bullet-proof vest with a steel trauma plate insert. He has broken river rocks, granite slabs, stones, padlocks, chains, wrenches, two by fours, violent prisoner maximum restraint straps, and other objects. He is a 10th degree black belt, which is the highest level he can attain, in both Aiki Jutisu and Kempo Karate. He holds black belt ranks in Aiki-Jujitsu, Jujutsu, Judo, Kempo, Karate, and Kobojutsu. "To be able to represent your country is tremendous," he explained. "This is a wonderful honor. I have truly been blessed; good things are happening." Having traveled the world as a missionary and as a martial arts expert, Netherland said he had been all over Europe while it was under communist control, but had never gone directly into Russia before. Organizers ask those who are invited to the martial arts Olympics to get sponsors to finance their trip. Netherland explained he has to raise about $3,500. "Organizers do request you are sponsored from the area you are from," he explained. "I'll see what I can do for those who wish to be sponsors." He said he will have a booth set up to represent the United States at the event, and would like to include a list of sponsors at the booth. The event will have 6,200 competitors from 35 different nations with an attendance of about 70,000 people. "I want to show the other nations how considerate and giving Americans are," he said. "I want to show we are giving people and do reach out to others." Other recent accomplishments: In the April 2008 edition of "Kung-Fu," Netherland has a lengthy article accompanied by several color photographs. The magazine is available internationally. The Action Martial Arts Hall of Fame recently named the Netherland family the Martial Arts Family of the Year. Netherland and his wife, Linda, have both earned black belts, and all of their children have earned black belts as well. A son, Chad Netherland, a multi-Guinness World Records holder, appeared on the "Rachael Ray on Ice Show" on Jan. 31 where he was featured breaking the World Record for the "fastest time to break 50 blocks of ice by hand." Cameron Netherland holds a World Record for the fastest time to put a single nail through six frying pans by hand, which was six seconds. Scott Murphy, a son-in-law, holds the record for the "tightest diameter to roll a 12-inch frying pan by hand," which was 6.75 inches. In September, "The Legend of the Stonebreaker," a book by Dr. Netherland will be published by Bushido Press. In addition, he has a series of five historical fiction books called "The Tengu Scrolls," being published. The first two books in the series will be released in September. In the near future, Netherland plans to lead a monthly program called "Breaking Point" at Jenkins Chapel Church, a non-denominational church located at the intersection of Bogard and Lower Bogard roads. He said the program would emphasize how decisions can determine a person's destiny. More information about the program will be announced in an upcoming edition of The Newport Plain Talk. Any individuals, businesses, or civic groups interested in becoming a sponsor for Netherland's trip to Russia should contact him by email at drdannetherland@aol.com or by phone at (423) 613-5525.

The Action Martial Arts Hall of Fame recently named the Netherland family the Martial Arts Family of the Year. From left are Cameron Netherland; Dr. Dan and Linda Netherland; Chad Netherland and his fiancˇe, Lindsey; Heidi, Haley and Scott Murphy. Crystal Allen, a daughter of Dan and Linda, and her family were unable to attend the event.

Jan. 31st, 2008
Martial Arts Olympic team for a trip to Russia
Tony Abel has many names. The York man has performed a “Power of the Mind” presentation in numerous foreign countries. He places the blunt end of a steel rod against his throat. After applying pressure, he bends the rod with his throat.

In South American, he is American superman.
In Asia, he is Three Men in One Man’s Body.
In Russia, he is Man Who Destroys Construction Equipment.

Fitting for a man with so many names, Abel has accumulated numerous titles and jobs:
• He is a black belt and international fighting competitor.
• He is the sensei at the York Shotokan Karate Club.
• He is the director of the United States International Martial Arts College.
• And, yes, he is the man who cheats death and bends steel rods with the strength of his throat – err, check that – mind.

But Abel’s most important job may be the one for which he has no title. He believes he is an ambassador for martial arts and the United States.

As the director of IMAC, he has helped select the U.S. team that will compete at the second annual Martial Arts Olympics, held April 18-20 in St. Petersburg, Russia.

“Our objective is to showcase U.S. talent during the event,” Abel said. “but we also want to show the heart of the U.S. people.”

Abel and a contingent of about 20 competitors and officials attended the event last year. Unsure about what to expect, competitors encountered intense competition – and an outpouring of positive emotion.

“The highlight had to be the way we were welcomed by the Russian people,” fighting competitor Ross Levine of Brooklyn said.

Expecting to see a group of competitors interested only in beating Americans, the U.S. team was swarmed by well-wishers who sought handshakes and autographs from the Americans.

“Until you actually see it,” Abel said, “it’s hard to understand. The crowd reached about 10-deep.”

The U.S. team also plans to return to a St. Petersburg orphanage during their five-day trip, and they hope to hand out gifts and clothing to children.

“A large part of this trip is about fostering peace,” said York’s Vicki Forrester, a member of the IMAC board of directors. “We want to represent an image that accurately displays America.”

About 30 U.S. competitors, performers and officials will attend the event. And the U.S. team will include a junior squad with competitors from Colorado, Florida, Iowa, New York, Rhode Island and Texas.

East Prospect’s Shannon Morris, 74, and Dallastown High School sophomore Brian Paul, 16, are expected to be among the performers during the trip.

“America still has a reputation in parts of the world as a country of ‘ugly Americans’” Abel said. “We’re trying to overcome that stereotype.”

Note: Abel and Forrester are still finalizing details for the trip, but the York-based officials still have two big needs. The team still hopes to locate sponsorship for the team. And they hope the public can provide gifts for the orphanage trip. Abel said clothing – particularly shirts or hats that feature the U.S. flag – are popular gifts. For more information, contact Abel at the York Shotokan Karate Club at 757-2529.

Jan. 17th, 2008
Olympic director from Russia visits the United States. Video is courtesy of WPMT FOX 43.

Jan. 13th, 2008
IMAC would like to welcome the following organizations that will be joining us.

Action Martial Arts Magazine

Sport Martial Arts