Carl Vonck, left, and Ronald Strong of the Marquette Soo Bahk Do Academy were recently promoted to the rank of 4th degree black belt, masters in the art of Soo Bahk Do by Master Instructor Russ Hanke of Detroit, a 9th degree black belt and charter member of the United States Soo Back Do Moo Duk Kwan Federation. Strong and Vonck were invited by Hanke to participate in the annual masters examination in November in San Diego, Calif. The examination evaluates candidates on all aspects of the art, including standardized physical technique, stamina, comprehensive knowledge and articulation of the art, and its history. Strong and Vonck have been training in Soo Bahk Do since its earliest years in the Marquette area, nearly 17 years ago. Vonck purchased the Marquette Soo Bahk Do Academy in 2008, and has since been training and promoting 12 black belts with the assistance of Strong, who serves as the studio director.
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