Samuel Karl Manders of Sequim Martial Arts earned his Black Belt rank in Tae Kwon Do on Saturday, April 30, at the Sequim Prairie Grange Hall.

Officiating the test was Kathrin J. Sumpter, owner/operator of Sequim Martial Arts.

Manders demonstrated a series of Tae Kwon Do forms along with several weapons, including the bo staff, Doces Pares Eskrima and traditional Samurai sword. He showcased several knife disarms in a fighting situation and the test wrapped up with an intense combination of kickboxing and fighting rounds.

Manders is finishing his freshman year at Sequim High School. He’s been training in martial arts for six years.

The witness panel included the following practitioners: Sempi Sandy Goldstien, Mushin Kage Dojo; Grandmaster Robert Nicholls, White Crane Martial Arts; Guro Gail Sumpter, Sequim Doce Pares; Sensei Michael Smith, Olympic Peninsula Karate Association; Sifu Gary Laxson, Sequim Martial Arts; and Sensei Nick Snider, White Crane Martial Arts.