MAU earns 17 trophies
Martial Arts University sets very high standards for its students, both in the dojo and out.
At the recent Southwest Florida Martial Arts Championships in Port Charlotte its team of nine students won 17 trophies, including 11 for first place.
More than 200 competitors from 10 schools, between the ages of 5 and 15, battled it out in three disciplines – traditional weapons (Kobudo), forms (Kata), and sparring (Kumite).
Martial Arts University (MAU) took home 11 first-place trophies, four seconds and a third.
Head instructor Jeff Santella said his school has set a high standard from start to finish.
“We cleaned up. We’re proud of the kids,” said Santella, who’s son Justice won the teen Black Belt division.
Other team members included Elaina Colon, Lilly Erickson, Westin Meier, Billy Newhouse, Joseph McConathy, Robert Martinez, Macy Tackett, Selena Thier and Gusavo Payano.
Santella said his school is different because it’s not a karate school, but a martial arts university, featuring 15 styles of self-defense, including MMA cage fighting.
“We have children who are working in three styles, so they’re achieving in all areas, even archery. These kids are achievers. Once they’re in, it’s only success that follows,” Santella said. “We’re not a sport, we’re a lifestyle. Their character and skills all go together.”
Those who attend must follow strict guidelines of behavior and get good grades or risk losing their belts, Santella said.
“If they want to go for their next belt or competition, there’s a lot of ‘Yes, ma’am, yes, sir’ at home and a lot of As and Bs at school,” Santella said. “Getting a C is average and we have no time for average. I don’t teach an average class, so I don’t want average students.”
Martial Arts University has been in Cape Coral for 30 years and has trained more than 18,000 students, of which 23 went start to finish for their black belts, ranging in age from 13 to 89.
For more information call 772-KICK or visit them at 110 NE 2nd Place, Ste. 409, or on the web at www.streetdefense.com.