Chief Instructor Senior Master Mitchell Church of Performance Martial Arts Academy announces that his student, Mark Webb, has received official notification from the American Taekwondo Association headquarters that Master Mark Webb has met the requirements for rank advancement. Senior Master Church received word from the Master’s Council this week after Grandmaster Mal Kun Lee signed his certificate. Master Webb tested for seventh degree black belt in July at the World Championships held in Phoenix, Arizona.
“Achieving the rank of seventh degree acknowledges Master Mark Webb as an elite martial artist and opens the door for him to start the year-long process of being inducted as a Senior Master. He is a true asset to our school and this community,” said Church.
Webb had to complete four midterm tests over a span of six years and be a Level Three Certified Instructor. He then needed to receive permission from The Master’s Council at the world headquarters in Little Rock, Arkansas,” said Church.
In addition to individual instruction provided by Senior Master Church, Master Webb has completed training over the past 15 years in regional, national and international training camps. He has been active as a national judge in taekwondo competition and in regional testing events. “Master Webb is a 17-time World Champion in Taekwondo and has numerous silver and bronze medals at a world-class level. He has 31 southeastern district championship titles and has 59 state champion titles,” Church added.
Master Webb is quick to recognize Senior Master Church for his accomplishments in martial arts. “I was mainly taking class for fun and fitness then Senior Master Church and my wife, Dorraine saw that I had the potential to be a world-class competitor. If it were not for them; I would not have come this far. I am grateful for their encouragement and support in challenging my mind, body and spirit.
“My wife has been a tremendous source of unconditional love and support of my passion for martial arts. She knows how to push me and has been around competitions so much that she has become a great corner man for me.” She is a multi-time Georgia State Champion and is a first degree black belt. Master Webb says he has been fascinated by martial arts since watching the movie, Billy Jack. He started his training under the instruction of Chief Master Scott Stauffer after attending a demonstration at Valdosta State College performed by Chief Master Stauffer.
Chief Master Stauffer was Webb’s instructor for 15 years. Senior Master Church took over Mr. Webb’s instruction in 2007 which is when Webb became more active in his training and competition. Master Webb comments, “Senior Master Church is the best at bringing out a person’s fullest potential and has produced many World Champions.”
“Master Webb is easy to instruct because he is willing to put in the time and effort. He trains year long and averages at least two hours per day.” Church said.
Rank testing involves demonstration of the traditional form, mastery of a weapon of choice (Webb chose the midrange bow staff which his weapon of choice), sparring of several rounds and board breaking techniques. “The experience can be quite intimidating, said Church. “You are demonstrating your skills in front of a table of the highest rank ninth degree black belts who are carefully watching every move you make. Not to mention there are thousands of people watching.” Senior Master Church explained. Webb said, “It helped ease the pressure knowing that Senior Master Church was on the sideline watching me with a reassuring nod of confidence. Testing alongside Master Webb were some of the top martial artists in the world who were also testing for seventh and eighth degree black belt.
Webb joined Performance Martial Arts Academy in 1991. He received his first degree black belt in 1993. He reached his second degree black belt in 2000 and achieved his third degree black belt in 2004. He earned his fourth degree black belt in 2008. His fifth degree black belt was earned in 2012. And his sixth degree black belt in 2017. “Very few people ever achieve this rank” explains Church. Master Webb is Senior Master Church’s first student to achieve this level. “This is a big deal and we are very proud of him. Master Webb has been a very loyal student and an active example of what can be achieved in martial arts.”
The year-long process of Mastership now begins for Mark Webb. This will involve much travel across the country for more advanced training in martial art skills and philosophy.