Gianna Combs , 10 , has been training in taekwondo for five years and loves swords . Her favorite weapon and category is the Korean Gum Do sword ! At Worlds , she placed third in the world in Combat Weapons Sparring , winning the bronze medal . Gianna competed with other girls her age who rank in the 8 and Under , 1st Degree Black Belt category .
Gabriel Yost , 15 , has also been training for five years . He is fortunate enough to share his love of taekwondo with his younger brother , John . They train , practice and travel together — a true dynamic duo . At Worlds , Gabriel placed second in Traditional Forms , and won World Champion in Traditional Weapons . He competed with other boys in the 13- and 14-year-olds , 1st Degree Black Belt category .
Master Cameron Stadtfeld , 31 , has trained in taekwondo since 1996 . He has truly dedicated his life to martial arts . “ I started into martial arts simply because I wanted to be the blue Power Ranger — morphing around the house , protecting the family from bad guys ,” he says . Although he has made the top 10 in the world over the last decade , this year was his year . At Worlds he placed second in XMA Weapons and won World Champion in XMA Forms . He competed in the 27- to 39-year-olds , 6th & 7th Degree Black Belt category .
“ I absolutely could not have succeeded without the support from my students , family and wife ,” says Master Stadtfeld . “ Fulfilling my dream of becoming a World Champion in the same year that I earned the title Master , all while going through a year of COVID — and the year after I became owner and got married — was a whirlwind of emotions and one I will never forget .”
About Gianna and Gabriel , he adds , “ I am extremely proud of both of my students . They exemplify what it is to work hard for something in life and not stop until they have achieved that goal — regardless of their age or what other people say . To win World Champion at 10 and 15 is literally something I only dreamt of , but they made it a reality .”
ATA has been a part of McMurray since October 1999 . It has moved locations a few times over the years — as the dojang grew — from Donaldson ’ s Crossroads , to where Alexander ’ s Gym used to be , and finally to its current location in Waterdam Plaza . “ Stephen D . Reeve was my instructor , and the past academy owner , until he retired in 2019 and I took over ,” explains Master Stadtfeld . “ ATA McMurray has always held a special place in my heart because it ’ s not just my martial arts family , but also an activity that my entire family has been a part of .”
For him , karate truly is a family affair , with nine family members who hold karate accolades ranging from White Belt all the way to 6th Degree Black Belt — the highest level and rank in the family ( held by Master Stadtfeld ). Collectively , the Stadtfelds have six black belts in the family , and between Linda ( mother ), Brendan ( brother ), and Master Stadtfeld they have earned 60 state titles , 16 district titles , eight national rankings , 27 Top Ten in the World rankings , and one World Champion title .
“ When we opened our school , we made a commitment to serving and empowering the community of McMurray by teaching children and adults the confidence , leadership and fitness skills that can only be achieved through martial arts ,” says Master Stadtfeld . “ At ATA McMurray , our # 1 goal is to make a difference in the lives of our students .”
Martial arts training goes well beyond simply practicing techniques or breaking boards . From ages 4 to 99 , ATA
McMurray strives to create martial artists who are successful in all aspects of their lives . Whether it be in school , at work or other activities , ATA martial artists can be counted on to be examples of honor , integrity and leadership in the community .
ATA McMurray offers a variety of programs for a variety of ages . Starting at age 4 , members are able to learn martial arts ( taekwondo ), self-defense , life skills and leadership development . Programs include ATA Tigers ( ages 4-7 ), Youth Martial Arts ( ages 7-12 ) and Teens & Adults ( ages 13-99 ). Adults are offered an additional class where they can learn more tactical self-defense ( incorporating five different martial arts styles ) in the Innovative Self Defense ( ISP ) program . Tumbling , fight choreography and
Master Cameron Stadtfeld — ATA World Champion .
Xtreme weapons and forms are involved in the Xtreme Martial Arts ( XMA ) program , in addition to the opportunity to learn 14 unique single and double weapons in the weapons program .
ATA also allows you to learn martial arts from your home or anywhere in the world while receiving one-on-one time with an instructor in the dojang ’ s Online Martial Arts program .
If your dream is to become a state , district , national or world champion in taekwondo or XMA , there is a competition track and private lessons available for you to strive toward those goals . What are the future plans for the world-acclaimed dojang ? “ We are excited to announce a second location will be coming by the end of this year ,” says Master Stadtfeld . “ It is very rewarding to see that this second location will be partially run with me by my student , Julia Becker . She started as a 7-year-old White Belt and is now a 19-year-old 4th Degree Black Belt , multi-State , District , and Top Ten winner , certified instructor , and soon-to-be program director .
“ Collectively , the two academies will be able to change and improve the lives of almost 500 students . The sky ’ s the limit for these outstanding martial artists , academies and family !” ■
PETERS TOWNSHIP ❘ OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2021 37