BY DANIEL BRNJIC (’17)

For thousands of years’ teacher of martial arts have trained their students in the art of combat. History teacher Jeremy Hopping is no different.

Hopping is often just thought of as a history and government teacher in the high school, but he teaches his favorite class when school is out. He is a passionate martial artist who teachers his students in Kang Duk Won multiple nights a week.

“I began Karate in the first grade in 1985,” said Hopping.

He believes that the martial art discipline has been around for thousands of years and will only continue to grow.

“The future of Karate is Karate’s past,” said Hopping.

Kang Duk Wong is an American hybrid of traditional Karate developed for North Americans. It emphasizes self-defense. Using techniques that have been around for centuries such as punches, kicks and blocks.

“I enjoy learning a new skill and working the skill to perfection,” Hopping said.

All marital arts take years to become proficient. Perfection is key to advancing in marital arts. Students of marital arts much practice strength, flexibility, and endurance. Students work to develop strength in their hands and feet to weather the forces of repeated blocks and punches.

“I earned by black belt in 2002 after restarting Kang Duk Won Karate in ’95,” said Hopping. “I am now a third degree black belt.”

It takes years to earn the rank of black belt. Students must work continuously for years practicing higher and higher levels of fighting and techniques. In Karate everyone is a student. Black belts who are teaches are still required to continue their education.

“The important aspects of Karate are self-discipline, and self-defense”

Karate is often associated with combat. The art of fighting is makes up only one part of the lessons Karate teaches. Karate preaches living a healthy life, and defense of others and not violence. Karate is not taught as a way to attack others out of hate. Karate teaches its students work ethic by requiring the long amount of time and hard work it takes to achieve new belts.

Hopping’s children have started Karate lessons as well.

“I did not force Karate on my children, but at their age they want to be like dad, and I think right now they really enjoy it,” said Hopping.

Karate is an activity for all ages.  Children can begin at a very young age, and most people can participate in one way or another for their entire life. Karate is a way for young children to learn lessons of hard work, ethics and defense.

‘Karate changes your demeanor and life by giving you more confidence in yourself,” Hopping said.

Karate increases confidence in people. Students that are shy in the beginning of their Karate experience often times come out of their shell as they continue the sport. The ability of defense and the reward of achievement a student feels when they achieve a new belt rank gives a shy student a new found confidence in all aspects of their life.

Karate and martial arts have been around for thousands of years. It feeds off traditions and incorporates new techniques. It will not go anywhere anytime soon and teachers like Jeremy hopping ensure that.