Your friends at IMAC, USA welcome everyone who will be joining us for the 2nd Annual Martial Arts Olympics East-West Open. We look forward to sharing this extraordinary experience with you in April 2008; and, wish you the best of success at the East-West Open. In addition to organizing a once-in-lifetime trip for the competitors and spectators, IMAC USA was challenged to select a team to compete in the Olympic 'Battle of the Continents' which will feature fighting teams representing Asia, Europe, North America; and, the host country Russia. As a result, IMAC's scouting team set-out on a nationwide search to find the most outstanding American martial artists. With so much exceptional talent here in the United States, this mission proved to be demanding, but also extremely rewarding. We'd like to share with you a few great stories; and, martial artists we've had the pleasure to meet along the way. Athletes, that you can call teammates. Together, we will show the world the talent, heart and soul that America has to offer. In addition, we?d like to introduce to you the United States team.

Mark D. O’Mard: 3rd Degree Black Belt Tae Kwon Do

Twenty-five year old Mark O’Mard from Valley Stream, New York is a returning veteran of the Martial Arts Olympics having competed there in 2007 winning two silver medals.

Mark O’Mard is the youngest of five children born to Roy and Rosemarie O’Mard. He was born in Long Island and raised in Queens, New York. He is the youngest of five children: two brothers Eddie and Kali; and, two sisters Annmarie and Tina. Mark credits his family as his support team, and it’s clear they are a closely knit family. Roy O’Mard enrolled Mark and brother Kali in tae kwon do classes fifteen years ago knowing it would teach his boys discipline with the added benefit of helping them protect one another.

“Martial art, for me, is more about feeling confident in myself and knowing that I can protect myself and family if need be. I like being physically fit and healthy. Competition is just the icing on the cake” Mark states. “My father handed Kali and I the torch and we ran with it. Now every time I win a trophy I drop it at my parents’ house. They have over 100 trophies in their basement”.

Mark is the perfect combination of brain, skill, heart and personality. He graduated from York College with a degree in Business Administration, HR Management. He’s been in the banking business for six years, currently working for J.P. Morgan Chase where he serves as the Assistant Vice President in the Business Banking Division. Mark says his goal in life is to some day open his own business, get married, and have children (who, of course, would all learn martial arts). He says he would love to someday open his own martial arts school where he can help kids in the lower income communities, to give them an outlet such as the martial arts; and, to take kids all around the world to show them different cultures. He says “martial arts are a place where race, gender and age doesn’t matter. Martial arts are like a blind instructor that has infinite knowledge. Only if you ask the right question will you get the right answer”.

Nicknamed “Kamikaze”, Mark considers himself a simple person. As a child he would often perform stunts, routinely hurting himself. In sparring, his early instructors noted his tendency to rush-in; taking a few shots just to get closer to his opponent. The nickname “kamikaze”, taken from Japanese suicide bombers, has stuck with him since. Mark points to Jadi Tention as the most influential person in his life with regard to the martial arts. He credits Jadi with ‘taking his game to new levels’. He has an Empire State and Krane National Championship but doesn’t routinely tour the sport fighting circuit. He says “I leave that to the other guys like Ross (Levine)”. When asked about his biggest martial arts achievement, Mark reflects back to the 2006 US Open where he sustained a blinding eye fracture. The injury was serious enough that he wondered if he would ever be able to fight again. The orbital fracture however didn’t keep Mark from losing sight of his goal to one day compete again. To his credit, Mark didn’t give up. He continued training and struggling against this handicap believing he should not, could not, and would not fall victim to this unfortunate setback. Despite wondering if he would ever fight again, he did; and, to his surprise Mark took first place in his very next competition beating one of the top ranked fighters in the world. It was an accomplishment that continues to motivate him in his every day life. With conviction he believes nothing can stop him from accomplishing what he puts his mind too.

“Practice, practice, and more practice. That’s how you succeed” says Mark. “My training philosophy is to give your all when practicing so that when the time comes you have no regrets.” This must be how he executes those beautiful axe kicks with relative ease. “My favorite saying is: Does practice make perfect? No. Perfect practice makes perfects” Mark avows. His first instructor had him repeat that saying in every class. “It’s telling us that it’s not just good to go through the motions and practice the wrong moves. We must practice correctly every time and that’s how you grow as a martial artist”.

The International Martial Arts College, USA was founded on a simple mission; to promote an international understanding and goodwill among athletes through the common bond of the martial arts. In short, our goal is to promote world peace. Consequently, IMAC USA holds in high regard the basic fundamental principles found in the ancient teachings of all great masters irrelevant of style or background: Honor, Honesty, Integrity, Responsibility, Humility, Self-assurance, Courtesy, Perseverance, Virtue, Dedication, and a Respect for Others. Discerning what is genuinely important in life begets these character traits. The value of one’s life isn’t measured by the money they have, the possessions they’ve acquired, the praise given or glory garnered. Character is the ultimate currency; the true measure of one’s life. It’s about what you give back to those around you. Will you leave the world a better place for having been there?

Mark, you have an easygoing and generous spirit that stands out. Your charismatic personality easily captures the attention of those around you. It is evident that you’re a man of character. We, at IMAC USA, were quick to notice how the crowds embraced you at the 2007 Martial Arts Olympics; and, we are extremely proud and honored to have you be a part of the team. To this end, IMAC USA would like to say thank you Mark for sharing our vision.