2019 Black Belt Exams scheduled for July 20th

Our annual Black Belt Exam is a very special day for our community. It’s a day when students are asked to demonstrate their technique, endurance, and mental fortitude in front of a panel of sensei — as well as their karate peers and their friends and family.

Beyond the physical exam, of course, is the development of character and values that we hold as karate-ka — which students will be asked to reflect on through essays and conversations with their sensei. Each black belt candidate has faced obstacles, gained perspectives, and developed values — all of which will help them through this important step in their journey.

Everyone at our dojo can be part of this process! You’re all welcome and encouraged to attend these open events to support your dojo-mates:

PRACTICE EXAM
Friday, March 15, 7 PM

QUALIFICATION EXAM
Friday, May 31, 7 PM

BLACK BELT EXAM DAY
Saturday, July 20
Morning: Special Seminars
Afternoon: The Exam
Evening: Celebration Dinner

More details will be announced closer to July 20. In the meantime, if you’re curious about what our exam requirements are, you can review the Enso Handbook at any time!

Special News! 17 Enso athletes qualify for 2019 international competitions

Seventeen Enso athletes have qualified for highly selective international competitions in 2019. We are so proud to have our students representing themselves, our dojo, and the United States of America as they travel around the world this spring.

 

INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL SPORT FEDERATION (ISF) HIGH SCHOOL COMBAT GAMES
Budapest, Hungary   |   June 16-21, 2019

Team USA is bringing just nine athletes to this competition – and three are from Enso Karate! Very big congratulations to Christine Conanan, Maile Nacu, and Zachary Gin, who will compete in both kata and kumite at the event. They qualified for the games based on their impressive performances at the ISF USA Team Trials in March 2019. The International School Sport Federation (ISF) is recognized by the International Olympic Committee and promotes the values and interests of education through sport.

 

WORLD UNION OF KARATE-DO FEDERATIONS (WUKF) WORLD KARATE CHAMPIONSHIPS
Bratislava, Slovakia   |   June 20-23, 2019

Seventeen Enso students qualified for the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU)’s U.S. Team, which will be competing at this year’s WUKF world championships. They qualified by either earning an individual medal at the 2018 AAU National Championships or through a rigorous team trial event held in Ft. Lauderdale earlier in 2019. Those athletes are:

  • Davian Barber
  • Kepler Boonstra
  • AJ Cesar
  • Katie Coleman
  • Angel Conanan
  • Christine Conanan
  • Ryan Daly
  • Victoria Gin
  • Zachary Gin
  • Maxine Ivey
  • Sensei Denise Nacu
  • Sensei Jay Nacu
  • Maile Nacu
  • Mateo Nacu
  • Toby Nierras
  • Milo Platz-Walker
  • Brianna Santucci

The entire Enso community is behind these amazing athletes. All our students are pushing a little harder in class to help them prepare. All our instructors and coaches are helping them think about strategy and prepare mentally. Many of our dedicated parents are making sure the kids have everything they need before they travel. And of course AAU is helping them prepare and strategize. It’s truly an all-in effort. The cheers in Chicago will reach our athletes in Budapest and Bratislava!

 

Enso Welcomes 24 New Students!

This Winter and Spring, Enso has been thrilled to welcome 24 new students to our dojo family. Some are training with our adult classes. Other adults are joining their children in our family classes. And still others are joining our youth or kinder karate courses. Enso’s course offerings are almost as diverse as our students — all with a shared commitment to seek perfection of character through karate. Osu!

Please invite your family and friends to give karate classes a try in our next 6-week Intro Session, which beings on April 15th. They can register online or contact us at info@ensokarate.com for more info or for help with registration.