TOKEY HILL MARTIAL ARTS (516)625-9695

NEWS AND EVENTS

USOC Coach of the Year

OHIO MAN NAMED UNITED STATES OLYMPIC COMMITTEE KARATE COACH OF THE YEAR

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO, FEBRUARY 10, 2010: USA Karate is pleased to announce that Terrance Tokey Hill has been named the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) Coach of the Year for the Sport of Karate. Hill, a native of Chillicothe, OH, is the Director of Coaching for USA Karate and the Team Leader for both the US Senior and Junior National Karate Teams. USOC Coach of the Year award recipients are nominated by their respective National Governing Bodies, and then reviewed directly by the USOC. Upon approval, award winners join an elite group able to call themselves USOC Coaches of the Year. Tokey’s award will be presented to him by representatives from both the USOC and USA Karate Saturday, March 6 in Columbus, OH as part of the Arnold Martial Arts Festival at the Greater Columbus Convention Center.

Hill’s karate background includes being the first World Champion for the Sport of Karate from the United States, an honor he took home at the World Karate Federation (WKF) World Championships in Madrid, Spain in 1980. Since that time, only two other US athletes have won the World Championships. Tokey’s transition into coaching occurred as he began to train and develop athletes from his karate club in Long Island, NY, and eventually led to being named as the Head Coach for the US Karate Team. He has now transitioned into a leadership role for developing and training both athletes and coaches across the country as USA Karate’s Director of Coaching.

“Tokey Hill’s contribution to USA Karate cannot be understated,” said Luke St. Onge, USA Karate Chief Executive Officer. “From developing athlete and molding them into world-class champions, to developing a comprehensive coach’s development program, Tokey is a key player in every aspect of our international strategy. I can think of no one more deserving of this honor.”

This strategy paid off in May of 2009 when the US Senior Team took home the Pan American Championship Title that had eluded them for the past 10 years. Hill will lead the team to Quito, Ecuador to defend that title this May, and then on to the WKF World Championships this fall in Serbia.

In addition to serving as Director of Coaching, Hill is also a member of the Board of Directors for USA Karate. USA Karate is the National Governing Body for Karate in the United States as recognized by the United States Olympic Committee. For additional information on USA Karate, the US Karate Team, Tokey Hill, or the USA Karate Coaching Program, contact Luke St. Onge, Chief Executive Officer at (719) 477-6925 or natoffice@usankf.org .

Jake Saltzman: 2009 THMA Athlete of the Year

Jake being a 15 year old blackbet from Roslyn, NY is a triple threat being proficient in 3 disciplines; Boxing, Kickboxing and Grappling. Jake joined THMA early 2008 and soon became Sensei Billy's protege and prize student. On any given week, Jake trains 2-3 times a week with Sensei Billy which includes Mitt Work, Bag Work and Sparring Sessions. In 2009, Jake and Billy traveled to Columbus, Ohio for the 2009 Arnold Martial Arts Sports Festival where Jake dominated every division that he entered. He recieved the Title and Belt for Amateur Lightewight Kickboxing Champion as well as Boxing and Grappling Champ in his respective weight category. Jake's work ethic and discipline is admirable and accounts for alot of his success. Being able to dominate in 3 disciplines is rare and quite exceptional at any age. Billy and Jake are now preparing to defend his title at the 2010 Arnold Martial Arts Festival.