JONATHAN BILYK, jonb@mywebtimes.com, 431-4063

When Javier Duque looks out at the land surrounding Ottawa, he doesn't just see fields of corn and soybeans.

He sees champions.

"That's what we want to bring to Ottawa," said Duque. "We want to teach the traditional concepts of martial arts, to teach people to be champions in everything.

"And we want Ottawa to be recognized as a field of champions."

Since November, Duque and his wife, Ottawa native Kathryn Gonzalo-Duque, have taught students at their dojang, or martial arts studio, the Duque Institute of Martial Arts.

Situated within a renovated steel building on Tyler Drive on Ottawa's North Side, DIMA, as the Duques often refer to their studio, has rapidly grown, now teaching Olympic-style tae kwon do and hapkido in classes throughout the week to several dozen students ranging in age from tots to adults.

The list of classes even includes a session designed for parents and children to participate together.

"It was always our idea to teach tae kwon do in ways that would open the door to everyone, to come in and enjoy with us this beautiful and wonderful art," said Duque.

However, while the Duques enjoy opening doors, the story of how they came to open those doors together in Ottawa includes a very long journey.

Duque, now a fifth-degree black belt in Korean hapkido and a second-degree black belt in Korean tae kwon do and Korean kyuok too ki, had taught the martial arts for nine years through a government project in native city of Santiago, Chile, South America.

He had studied in Santiago under Korean Grandmaster Yoon Man Soo since 1984.

And while the study of the martial arts benefited Duque in many ways, he was to find one more.

After graduating from the University of Notre Dame in 1999, Kathryn relocated to Santiago to work with poor children.

And while working with a group of orphans in Santiago, she decided the children needed more physical activity.

So, one day, she brought a group of eight of them to Duque's school and asked him to train them.

"And since I liked the martial arts, I asked if I could train with them," Kathryn said.

As the classes continued, though, a relationship, aided by the constant urgings of the boys in Kathryn's care, began to bud between Duque and Kathryn.

And in 2003, the two were married and came to live in the United States.

"I had practiced martial arts for many years," said Duque. "But never in my life did I think I would find my wife in that place."

From 2003 to 2005, Duque continued to refine his skills, managing and teaching at the Military Arts Institute in Chicago while studying under Korean Grandmaster Kyung Sun Shin.

And last year, the Duques completed their journey from Duque's native land to Kathryn's, settling in Ottawa and opening DIMA.

Duque said it is his goal to use the studio to teach the practice of martial arts in all its aspects.

"People think martial arts is just punching and kicking," said Duque. "But we teach more than that."

Young children participate in activities designed to enhance coordination, listening and concentration.

And older students learn restraint and respect -- in addition to championship-level martial arts.

"Every day, we have fun," said Duque. "But we also show when to be serious.

"Because that is what a champion understands."

For more information, stop by the Duque Institute of Martial Arts at 4022 Tyler Drive, Ottawa, or call (815) 434-3220.