Press Releases

 (November 30, 2006) PRESS RELEASE: FOR IMMEDIATE PUBLICATION

LOCAL ATTORNEY HONORED FOR LEADERSHIP AND SERVICES RENDERED TO NATIONAL PUBLIC CHARITY FOR MARTIAL ARTS  BY: 

FAIRVIEW PARK , OHIO . On November 18, 2006, in Las Vegas, Nevada, George N. Wukovich of Fairview Park, Ohio, a local Attorney and Martial Arts Master Instructor, was nationally test-graded and certified as a Seventh Degree (7th Dan) Black Belt and Master Instructor by the United States Taekwondo Won (“USTW”). The USTW is a national Taekwondo organization uniquely founded as a Public Charity to promote traditional martial arts values and training systems (see: www.ustw.org). Master Wukovich is the first person in Northern Ohio to be nationally certified as both a USTW Seventh Degree Black Belt and a USTW Master Instructor.

In 2002, Master Wukovich became the first person in Northern Ohio to be nationally test-graded and certified as a USTW Sixth Degree (6th Dan) Black Belt.  In 2006, the USTW National Examiners and Promotion Committee voted to grant Master Wukovich the special honor and privilege of testing for his USTW Seventh Degree (7th Dan) less than five (5) years after testing for his USTW Sixth Degree (6th Dan) Black Belt. The Committee’s decision was based upon its finding, under the USTW Bylaws and Dan Promotion Regulations, that Master Wukovich is both: an “Outstanding Person” with a documented history of exceptional martial arts training and research; and, an “Eminent Personality” with a documented history of extraordinary contributions to the promotion and development of the global legacy of traditional martial arts.

In 2002, after receiving his USTW Sixth Degree (6th Dan) Black Belt certification, Master Wukovich designed a USTW Instructor’s Certification Seminar program that was approved for national use by the USTW. In that same year, he was appointed to serve as USTW National Legal Counsel and as a member of the USTW Law and Legislation Committee. In 2003, Master Wukovich was appointed to serve as the Program Director for the first USTW National Instructor’s Certification Seminar.

In 2004, he was presented with a Certificate of Recognition for his outstanding dedication and service to the USTW by the Honorable Bob Wise, Governor of the State of West Virginia , after which Master Wukovich was also appointed to serve as the USTW National Event Coordinator. In 2005, he was appointed to serve as the Chairperson of the USTW Instructor Certification Committee. In 2006, Master Wukovich was again appointed to serve as the Program Director for the fourth USTW National Instructor’s Certification Seminar to be presented in Cincinnati , Ohio .

On August 12, 2006 , candidates for USTW Instructor Certification from all over the country assembled in Cincinnati , Ohio , and successfully participated in the 2006 USTW National Instructors Certification Seminar, hosted by the USTW and directed by Master Wukovich. Those participants were all nationally recognized and certified as USTW Assistant Instructors (1^st & 2^nd Degree Black Belt), USTW Instructors (3^rd & 4^th Degree Black Belt), USTW Master Instructors (5^th to 7^th Degree Black Belt) and USTW Grand Master Instructors (8^th & 9^th Degree Black Belt). During that Seminar, USTW President Sok Ho Kang personally presented a USTW Certificate of Recognition, to Master Wukovich, for his outstanding contribution and dedicated service to the United States Taekwondo Won organization. Since 2003, hundreds of Martial Arts Instructors have been nationally certified, by the USTW, under the seminar programming designed, directed and now coordinated by Master Wukovich as Chair of the USTW Instructor Certification Committee.

On September 8, 2006 , Master Wukovich resigned his position as USTW National Legal Counsel after being appointed by USTW President Sok Ho Kang to sit on the USTW Board of Directors. On November 18, 2006, after his USTW Seventh Degree (7th Dan) Black Belt Test and during the Annual Meetings of the USTW Membership and USTW Board of Directors in Las Vegas, Nevada, Master Wukovich was nominated and elected to continue his leadership and service to the USTW as both a corporate Director and corporate Vice President.

Master Wukovich founded the Korean Martial Arts Society (KMAS) program as the Headquarters Chapter for the United Martial Arts Black Belt Association (UMBA), which is co-directed by USTW Fifth Degree Black Belt Wayne C. Hodgins. (see: www.umba-kmas.com). As originally reported in the WestLife article entitled “Fairview karate gurus keep traditional spirit of martial arts—and their former master—alive” (July 31, 2002), the UMBA/KMAS program, established by Wukovich and Hodgins to promote traditional martial arts values and training systems, was the first martial arts program in Northern Ohio to be recognized by the United States Taekwondo Won. The KMAS program, in Fairview Park , offers morning and evening UMBA martial arts classes. The UMBA curriculum teaches and certifies its students under a uniquely “blended” system of traditional Korean martial arts styles (Taekwondo, Judo and Hapkido). All UMBA/KMAS Black Belts, who are certified by Master Wukovich, are also eligible to receive national Black Belt ranking and recognition through the USTW organization.

The UMBA/KMAS program conducts classes in, and sublets space from, the All American Karate School at the Fairview Centre shopping plaza, in the lower level 
(21929 Lorain Road , Fairview Park). For further information, or for free UMBA/KMAS introductory classes, please contact George Wukovich at (440) 331-7206 or Wayne Hodgins at (440) 734-0568.  You can also visit their website at “www.umba-kmas.com”, for more detailed information about their uniquely blended traditional martial arts training and certification system.

(October 4, 2004)  PRESS RELEASE: FOR IMMEDIATE PUBLICATION

LOCAL ATTORNEY HONORED, BY THE STATE OF WEST VIRGINIA, FOR SERVICES RENDERED TO THE UNITED STATES TAEKWONDO WON

FAIRVIEW PARK, OHIO. In January, 2004, George N. Wukovich of Fairview Park, a local Attorney and Martial Arts Master Instructor, was appointed to the position of first corporate Legal Counsel for the United States Taekwondo Won ("USTW"), a national Taekwondo ranking organization founded as a public charity to promote traditional martial arts values and training systems. By virtue of his appointment as USTW First Legal Counsel, Mr. Wukovich sits as an active member on the USTW Law and Legislation Committee

On February 20, 2004, the USTW Board of Directors, Officers and other Officials from all over the country assembled in the State Capitol building at Charleston, West Virginia. During that assembly, the Honorable Bob Wise, Governor of the State of West Virginia, declared February 20, 2004, to be officially recognized in West Virginia as the United States Taekwondo Won Day. Governor Wise, a martial arts student of USTW President Sok Ho Kang (a resident of Charleston, West Virginia), formally bestowed upon Master Kang the title of "West Virginian," which is the highest award that State can bestow upon one of its civilian residents. Governor Wise also personally presented a Certificate of Recognition, from the State of West Virginia, to Master George N. Wukovich, Esq., who resides in Fairview Park, Ohio, for his outstanding contribution and dedicated service to the United States Taekwondo Won organization.

In addition to performing his duties as USTW First Legal Counsel, Mr. Wukovich also sits as an active member on several of the other USTW Standing Committees, including the USTW Instructor Certification Committee and the USTW Educational Seminar Development Committee. Having acted as Seminar Author and Director for the 2003 USTW National Instructors Certification Seminar—the first such program ever offered by the USTW—he also was appointed, in January, 2004, to act as the National Event Coordinator for the 2004 USTW National Instructors Certification Seminar to be held in Overland Park, Kansas. (see:  www.ustu.org ).

On September 18, 2004, eighty-one (81) candidates from all over the country assembled in Overland Park, Kansas, and successfully participated in the 2004 USTW National Instructors Certification Seminar, hosted by the USTW and coordinated by Master Wukovich. Those participants were all nationally recognized and certified as USTW Assistant Instructors (1^st & 2^nd Degree Black Belt), USTW Instructors (3^rd & 4^th Degree Black Belt), USTW Master Instructors (5^th to 7^th Degree Black Belt) and USTW Grand Master Instructors (8^th & 9^th Degree Black Belt). On September 20, 2003, seventy-six (76) candidates from all over the country had previously assembled in Cinncinnati, Ohio, where they successfully participated in the 2003 USTW National Instructors Certification Seminar that was designed and directed by Master Wukovich. This brings to One Hundred and Fifty Seven (157) the total number of Martial Arts Instructors who have been nationally certified by the USTW, since 2003, under the seminar programming designed, directed and coordinated by Master Wukovich.

Attorney George N. Wukovich is the first person in Northern Ohio to be nationally certified as both a USTW Sixth Degree Black Belt and a USTW Master Instructor. Master Wukovich founded the Korean Martial Arts Society (KMAS) program as the Headquarters Chapter for the United Martial Arts Black Belt Association (UMBA), which is co-directed by USTW Fifth Degree Black Belt Wayne C. Hodgins. (see: www.umba-kmas.com).

As originally reported in the WestLife article entitled "Fairview karate gurus keep traditional spirit of martial arts—and their former master—alive" (July 31, 2002), the UMBA/KMAS program, established by Wukovich and Hodgins to promote traditional martial arts values and training systems, was the first martial arts program in Northern Ohio to be recognized by the United States Taekwondo Won. The KMAS program, in Fairview Park, offers morning and evening UMBA martial arts classes. The UMBA curriculum teaches and certifies its students under a uniquely "blended" system of traditional Korean martial arts styles (Taekwondo, Judo and Hapkido). All UMBA/KMAS Black Belts, who are certified by Master Wukovich, are also eligible to receive national Black Belt ranking and recognition through the USTW organization.

The UMBA/KMAS program conducts classes in, and sublets space from, the All American Karate School at the Fairview Centre shopping plaza, in the lower level (21929 Lorain Road, Fairview Park). For further information, or for free UMBA/KMAS introductory classes, please contact George Wukovich at (440) 331-7206 or Wayne Hodgins at (440) 734-0568. You can also visit their website at "www.umba-kmas.com", for more detailed information about their uniquely blended traditional martial arts training and certification system.

(November 30, 2003)  PRESS RELEASE: FOR IMMEDIATE PUBLICATION

FAIRVIEW PARK, OHIO. George N. Wukovich of Fairview Park, a local Attorney and Martial Arts Master Instructor, who was appointed to the position of corporate Legal Counsel for a national Martial Arts organization, the United States Taekwondo Won (“USTW”) in 2002, was also recently appointed to the position of Seminar Director for the 2003 USTW National Instructors Certification Seminar—the first such program ever offered by that national organization (see: www.ustw.org).

As originally reported in the WestLife article entitled “Fairview karate gurus keep traditional spirit of martial arts—and their former master—alive” (July 31, 2002), Attorney George N. Wukovich is a USTW Sixth Degree Black Belt and Master Instructor, who founded the Korean Martial Arts Society (KMAS) program, which is co-directed by Wayne C. Hodgins, as the Headquarters Chapter of the United Martial Arts Black Belt Association (UMBA).

The KMAS/UMBA program established by Wukovich and Hodgins was the first in Northern Ohio to be recognized by the United States Taekwondo Won (USTW), a national Taekwondo ranking organization founded to promote traditional martial arts values and training systems. The KMAS program, in Fairview Park, offers morning and evening traditional UMBA martial arts classes, which teach a uniquely “blended” system of Korean martial arts styles (Taekwondo, Judo and Hapkido).  All KMAS/UMBA Black Belts, certified by Master Wukovich, are eligible to receive national ranking and recognition through the USTW organization (see: www.umba-kmas.com).

In April 2003, the USTW Board of Directors formally approved the final draft of a proposed USTW National Instructor’s Training and Certification Program, that was authored by Master Wukovich via his active membership on the USTW Instructor’s Certification Committee and the USTW Educational Seminar Development Committee. The Board also approved President Kyongwon Ahn’s appointment of USTW Legal Counsel Master George N. Wukovich, Esq. to be the 2003 USTW National Instructors Certification Seminar Director, who was charged with the duties of designing a plan to convert the Final Seminar Proposals from an idea into a reality, and to marshal all the necessary resources of the USTW, required to successfully achieve this important and historical organizational goal.

On September 20, 2003, seventy-six (76) candidates from all over the country assembled in Cincinnati, Ohio, and successfully participated in that event, hosted by the USTW and directed by Master Wukovich, by which those participants were all nationally recognized and certified as USTW Assistant Instructors (1^st & 2^nd Degree Black Belt), USTW Instructors (3^rd & 4^th Degree Black Belt), USTW Master Instructors (5^th to 7^th Degree Black Belt) and USTW Grand Master Instructors (8^th & 9^th Degree Black Belt).

Mr. Wukovich attended the USTW Annual Meeting recently held on November 15, 2003, in Las Vegas, Nevada, where he presented the 2003 USTW Seminar Director’s Report, which presentation was recorded in the Meeting Minutes as relating “...the triumph of a 2 ½ year project from the original drafts that were submitted in 2001 to the final event which was held in 2003...” A complete copy of the written 2003 USTW Seminar Director’s Report, which was presented by Master Wukovich, follows this copy, together with a copy of the Biography currently posted on his website at www.umba-kmas.com, as noted above.  By virtue of his appointment as corporate Legal Counsel, Mr. Wukovich also sits as an active member of the USTW Law and Legislation Committee.

The KMAS/UMBA program conducts classes in, and sublets space from, the All American Karate School at the Fairview Centre shopping plaza, in the lower level (21929 Lorain Road, Fairview Park). For further information, or for free KMAS/UMBA introductory classes, please contact George Wukovich at (440) 331-7206 or Wayne Hodgins at (440) 734-0568.  You can also visit their website at “www.umba-kmas.com”, for more detailed information about their uniquely blended traditional martial arts training system.  

Master Wukovich, as Chairman of the USTW Instructor Certification Committee, 
announcing the names of newly certified Instructors while 
Grand Master Sok Ho Kang, USTW President presents the Certificates at the end of 
the 2006 USTW National Instructor Certification course held in Cincinnati, Ohio.

(July 15, 2002) PRESS RELEASE: FOR IMMEDIATE PUBLICATION

LOCAL ATTORNEY BRINGS UNITED STATES TAEKWONDO WON TO NORTHERN OHIO

FAIRVIEW PARK, OHIO. Attorney George N. Wukovich, a sole practitioner in Fairview Park, has been recognized as a Master Instructor, and was nationally certified as a Sixth (6^th) Degree Black Belt, after successfully passing a Special Promotion Examination on April 26, 2002. The test was conducted in Blue Ash, Ohio by the United States Taekwondo Won (U.S.T.W.), a national Taekwondo ranking organization founded to promote traditional martial arts values and training systems (see: www.ustw.org).

In addition to his legal practice, Master Wukovich is Chairman of the United Martial Arts Black Belt Association (U.M.B.A.), which teaches a traditional system of uniquely "blended" Korean martial arts styles (Taekwondo, Judo, Hapkido). The U.M.B.A. has affiliated programs operating in both the Central (Hilliard, Columbus) and Southern (Miami University, Fairfield, Hamilton, University of Cincinnati Medical School) Regions of Ohio.

Master Wukovich has also locally founded the Korean Martial Arts Society (K.M.A.S.) program, which is co-directed by Master Wayne C. Hodgin's, a Fifth (5^th) Degree U.M.B.A. Black Belt. The K.M.A.S. program offers morning and evening traditional U.M.B.A. martial arts classes in the All American Karate Studio at the Fairview Centre shopping plaza, lower level (21929 Lorain Road, Fairview Park).

The K.M.A.S./U.M.B.A. program was the first in Northern Ohio to be nationally recognized by the U.S.T.W., and Master Wukovich is only the second person in the United States ever to be nationally certified as a U.S.T.W. Sixth (6^th) Degree Black Belt. All U.M.B.A. Black Belts, certified by Master Wukovich, are eligible to receive national ranking and recognition through the U.S.T.W. organization. For further information, or for free introductory classes, please contact Master Wukovich at (440) 331-7206.

(October 2, 2002) PRESS RELEASE: FOR IMMEDIATE PUBLICATION

WESTLAKE JR. WOMEN’S CLUB LEARNS MODERN SELF DEFENSE SKILLS 

On October 2, 2002, at 8:15 p.m., in the newly renovated Westlake Public Library, the Westlake Jr. Women’s Club will offer their members a seminar entitled "Survival Awareness And Self Defense Skills For The 21^st Century", which is being conducted by the members of the Korean Martial Arts Society (KMAS). The Seminar will: (1) describe various self defense training systems; (2) discuss the philosophy of survival awareness; (3) provide a list of 25 "Safety Tips" that can be used for self defense without any physical training; (4) demonstrate the training methods and motion skills which can be developed through a uniquely "blended" traditional martial arts system; and, (5) give all participants effective "hand on" self defense training in "releases" and "reversals" against being grabbed or choked.

As originally reported in the WestLife article entitled "Fairview karate gurus keep traditional spirit of martial arts—and their former master—alive" (July 31, 2002), Attorney George N. Wukovich, a Sixth Degree Black Belt and Master Instructor, founded the Korean Martial Arts Society (KMAS) program, which is co-directed by Wayne C. Hodgins, as the Headquarters Chapter of the United Martial Arts Black Belt Association (UMBA). The KMAS program, in Fairview Park, offers morning and evening traditional UMBA martial arts classes, which teach a uniquely "blended" system of Korean martial arts styles (Taekwondo, Judo and Hapkido).

The KMAS/UMBA program established by Wukovich and Hodgins was the first in Northern Ohio to be recognized by the United States Taekwondo Won (USTW), a national Taekwondo ranking organization founded to promote traditional martial arts values and training systems. All KMAS/UMBA Black Belts, certified by Master Wukovich, are eligible to receive national ranking and recognition through the USTW organization (see: www.ustw.org).

The KMAS/UMBA program conducts classes in, and sublets space from, the All American Karate School at the Fairview Centre shopping plaza, lower level (21929 Lorain Road, Fairview Park). For further information, or for free KMAS/UMBA introductory classes, please contact George Wukovich at (440) 331-7206 or Wayne Hodgins at (440) 734-0568.

(November 27, 2002)   PRESS RELEASE: FOR IMMEDIATE PUBLICATION

LOCAL ATTORNEY APPOINTED CORPORATE LEGAL COUNSEL FOR NATIONAL MARTIAL   ARTS ORGANIZATION

FAIRVIEW PARK, OHIO. George N. Wukovich of Fairview Park, a local Attorney and Martial Arts Master Instructor, was appointed to the position of corporate Legal Counsel for a national Martial Arts organization—the United States Taekwondo Won ("USTW"), on November 13, 2002. Mr. Wukovich attended the USTW Annual Meeting Weekend on November 16, 2002, in Las Vegas, Nevada, where he conducted a workshop in legal issues for martial arts schools entitled "Dojang Liability" which was very well received. During the Annual Meeting, Mr. Wukovich also presented the current approved draft of a national USTW Instructor’s Training and Certification Program he is presently authoring, via his active membership on the USTW Instructor’s Certification Committee and the USTW Educational Seminar Development Committee. By virtue of his appointment as corporate Legal Counsel, Mr. Wukovich also sits as an active member of the USTW Law and Legislation Committee.

As originally reported in the WestLife article entitled "Fairview karate gurus keep traditional spirit of martial arts—and their former master—alive" (July 31, 2002), Attorney George N. Wukovich is a USTW Sixth Degree Black Belt and Master Instructor, who founded the Korean Martial Arts Society (KMAS) program, which is co-directed by Wayne C. Hodgins, as the Headquarters Chapter of the United Martial Arts Black Belt Association (UMBA). The KMAS program, in Fairview Park, offers morning and evening traditional UMBA martial arts classes, which teach a uniquely "blended" system of Korean martial arts styles (Taekwondo, Judo and Hapkido).

The KMAS/UMBA program established by Wukovich and Hodgins was the first in Northern Ohio to be recognized by the United States Taekwondo Won (USTW), a national Taekwondo ranking organization founded to promote traditional martial arts values and training systems. All KMAS/UMBA Black Belts, certified by Master Wukovich, are eligible to receive national ranking and recognition through the USTW organization (see: www.ustw.org).

The KMAS/UMBA program conducts classes in, and sublets space from, the All American Karate School at the Fairview Centre shopping plaza, in the lower level (21929 Lorain Road, Fairview Park). For further information, or for free KMAS/UMBA introductory classes, please contact George Wukovich at (440) 331-7206 or Wayne Hodgins at (440) 734-0568.

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