Black belts assist with teaching and sharing knowledge with other students. Jr. Black Belts attend the novice kids' classes to learn how to properly instruct — Mr. Hanford has them lead small groups and drills, spotting small errors and learning teaching strategies they carry with them for life.
Mr. Steve Hanford
A well-rounded martial artist who has ranked in the top 5 competitors in the state in his division for many years of tournament competition. He continues to train while teaching all Lions Karate classes in North Webster during the week and Fort Wayne on Wednesdays.
Taekwondo
Started at age 7 in a summer 1991 intro class. Credits 99% of his training to his instructor, Mr. Ken Gillenwater, alongside seminars, camps and many other instructors. Indiana PKC top-five in his age group 1992–2001; many adult Grand Champion titles. Helped teach the Purdue Taekwondo club, then took over the North Webster school from Mr. Gillenwater.
1st Dan Nov 1994 · 2nd Feb 1998 · 3rd Sep 2001 · 4th Dec 2005 · 5th Mar 2011 · 6th Jul 2017
Kobudo
Began weapons at green belt in 1991 with nunchaku, then bo staff. Reached 1st kyu in nunchaku, sword, sai and tonfa before his Kobudo black belt, then learned every weapon form Mr. Gillenwater knew and adapted kata to less-common weapons.
1st Dan Oct 2003 · 2nd May 2007 · 3rd Apr 2011 · 4th Apr 2015
Aiki Jutsu
Joined the adult Aiki Jutsu class at 11 alongside his father. Being smaller than the adults, he learned the "tricks" that apply more force with less effort — both Hanfords reached black belt. Combining soft Aiki Jutsu with hard Taekwondo lets him control a situation with locks, chokes and submissions, or strike when needed.
1st Dan June 2000 · 2nd Dan recognized 2015
Mr. Ken Gillenwater
Mr. Gillenwater trained under Grand Master James Byun and opened Lions Academy in North Webster in 1986, creating many great martial artists. When he became ill in 2012, Mr. Hanford — his highest-ranking student — chose to carry on the Lions Karate name and legacy in North Webster. Mr. Gillenwater passed away June 5th, 2015; Mr. Brad Arnold became Soke-dai (successor) for Kenji Ryu.
Three styles we teach
Taekwondo
Tae — strike with the foot; kwon — strike with the fist; do — the way. A kicking style, but in Mr. Hanford's classes hand techniques are stressed just as much. Blocks, kicks, punches, open-hand strikes, take-downs, sweeps, throws and joint locks.
Kobudo
Traditional weapons — bo, nunchaku, sai, tonfa, kama, sword and more unique weapons. Kata and practical self-defense with each, kyu ranks per weapon, and a Kobudo black belt.
Aiki Jutsu
A softer style that uses the attacker's momentum against them: circular redirection into joint locks, throws and take-downs ending in pins or chokes. Safe to practice, devastating when needed. Kenji Ryu lineage, mixed with hard-style concepts for realistic application.