Duque Institute of Martial Arts
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    • About the School
    • About the People
    • Why Choose DIMA
    • Fight For Your Dreams
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    • Taekwondo
    • Hapkido
    • Self Defense
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DIMA and COVID-19

In response to the COVID-19 global pandemic, DIMA is committed to continuing to provide quality martial arts education while also keeping our students safe through limited contact and social distancing.
Check out our Winter 2021 schedule

About the People

Master Javier Andres Duque

Man in taekwondo uniform with short grey hair
Master Javier Andres Duque began practicing martial arts in 1980 and hapkido and taekwondo in 1982, and has been teaching both since he earned master level rank in 1995. Back in his home country of Chile, he ran his first martial arts school as part of a city athletic program for the community. There, he taught martial arts skills to at-risk kids in order to help them build better lives and make positive changes for their futures. Master Duque also worked in the pharmaceutical industry in Chile for 10 years, specializing in marketing and scientific descriptions of cardiology, rheumatology, and sports medicine products. He organized technical presentations at hospitals and clinics for directors and surgeons.

Master Duque moved to Ottawa in 2003 and opened DIMA in 2005. As the head master of DIMA, he has dedicated himself to continuing to help people improve their lives through martial arts. Not only does Master Duque work with each of his students to improve their physical fitness and mental discipline, but he has also hosted fundraisers, volunteered at a homeless shelter, and recruited students to work for nonprofit organizations, among many other events that help students become well-rounded, caring, and compassionate individuals. Most recently, he is working to teach taekwondo to underserved children in Uganda through the Fight For Your Dreams project. He is dedicated to inspiring students to become true humanitarians as well as professional black belts in martial arts.
Martial arts master power breaks three large pieces of ice.
Martial arts master performs flying side kick.
Man with white hair gives a 6th dan belt in taekwondo to martial arts master.

Our Instructors

All of our instructors are internationally licensed and have passed rigorous background checks. Each has multiple years of martial arts instruction experience and are dedicated to helping you and/or your children learn taekwondo and hapkido.

Taekwondo Staff Instructors

Woman in taekwondo uniform with dark hair in braided pigtails
Rebecca Hess
3nd Dan, Taekwondo
Young man in taekwondo uniform with short brown hair
Nicholas Underhill
2nd Dan, Taekwondo
Woman in taekwondo uniform with dark hair pulled back in a ponytail
Jennifer Bauer
2nd Dan, Taekwondo
Woman in taekwondo uniform with long light brown hair
Emilie Gibbs
2nd Dan, Taekwondo
​Rebecca joined DIMA in 2008 and began teaching in 2016. She is currently training for her 4th dan to become a taekwondo master.

Hapkido Staff Instructors

Man in hapkido uniform with dark grey hair
Master Steven Gonzalo
5th Dan, Hapkido
Master Steven has been doing hapkido since the school opened in 2005 - in fact, he was the first student to throw a kick at DIMA!
Man in hapkido uniform with brown hair and beard
Benjamin Frey
1st Dan, Hapkido
Woman in hapkido uniform with blonde hair braided in a ponytail
Sarah Tracy
1st Dan, Hapkido

Our Current Black Belts

Our black belts are professional martial artists who are dedicated to the spirit of martial arts. Every black belt who has earned the rank of 1st dan or higher are also considered "kyosanims," or instructors. Many of them assist in classes, and all of them are willing to help students and parents with questions.
Woman in taekwondo uniform with medium-length dark curly hair
Hope Fabris
2nd Dan, Taekwondo
Woman in taekwondo uniform with brown hair pulled back in a ponytail
Erika Sparby
2nd Dan, Taekwondo
Young woman in taekwondo uniform with long brown hair in ponytail and glasses
Bailey Legare
2nd Dan, Taekwondo
Young woman in taekwondo uniform with blonde hair in a ponytail
Savanna
2nd Dan, Taekwondo
Young woman in taekwondo uniform with short black hair and braces
Charlee Frazer
2nd Dan, Taekwondo
Man in taekwondo uniform with grey hair and goatee.
Rob Fabris
1st Dan, Taekwondo
Woman in taekwondo uniform with light hair pulled back in a ponytail
Susanne Gibbs
1st Dan, Taekwondo
Woman in taekwondo uniform with long dark hair
Alaina Gibbs
1st Dan, Taekwondo
Young boy in taekwondo uniform with short black hair and braces
Nate Hansen
1st Dan, Taekwondo
Male child in taekwondo uniform with short blonde hair
Noah
1st Dan, Taekwondo
Young boy in taekwondo uniform with buzzed dark hair
Danny
1st Dan, Taekwondo
Young boy in taekwondo uniform with short dark hair
Jack
1st Dan, Taekwondo
Young boy in taekwondo uniform with short dark hair
Levi
Black Belt, Taekwondo
Young girl in taekwondo uniform with black hair in a ponytail
Valentina
Black Belt, Taekwondo
Young girl in taekwondo uniform with medium-length dark hair and glasses
Lindsey
Black Belt, Taekwondo
Young boy in taekwondo uniform with short dark hair
Keagan
Black Belt, Taekwondo

Certified Former DIMA Black Belts

Over the last 15 years, DIMA has promoted many students to black belt rank. Although these students are no longer active, they are licensed black belts and we want to recognize their accomplishment.
Jimmy Broyles, 5th dan
Noah Fabris, 4th dan
​Summer Hoagland-Abernathy, 4th dan
Kelly Pandolfi, 4th dan
Kathryn Duque, 4th dan
Patty Wagner, 3rd dan
​Nolan, Salaz, 3rd dan
Kenny Gray, 2nd dan
Kiley Carrigan, 2nd dan
​Julia Frick, 2nd dan
Nick Wiedman, 2nd dan

Francesca Dumitrescu, 1st dan
Corinne Lindig, 1st dan

Ron Pohar, 1st dan
​Matt Pohar, 1st dan
Thomas Reinhardt, 1st dan
Ali Bosnich, 1st dan
R.J. Cherry, 1st dan
​Adam Abdur-Rahman, 1st dan
​​Idris Abdur-Rahman, 1st dan
Najiyah Abdur-Rahman, 1st dan

Riley Maguire, 1st dan
​Hunter Silver, 1st dan
Jacob Silver, 1st dan
​Kevin Kowalczyk, 1st dan
Elsa Clausen, 1st dan
AJ, 1st dan
Jacob Kennedy, 1st dan
Presley Dresen, 1st dan
​Austin Findley, 1st dan
Patrick Sullivan, 1st dan
​Jenny Sullivan, 1st dan

Gabby Lundy, 1st dan
Sam Churchill, 1st dan
Josh Churchill, 1st dan
Brent Sanken, 1st dan
​
Cyndi Snyder, 1st dan
Devon Snyder, 1st dan
Allie Snyder, 1st dan
​Trevor Snyder, 1st dan
​Logan Goetsch, 1st dan
​Natalie Bursztynsky, 1st dan
​Amanda Bursztynsky, 1st dan

​Kara Dudek, 1st dan
Kearra Kargle, 1st dan
Mykaela Kargle, 1st dan

Ryan Nelson, 1st dan
​Ava, 1st dan
​Sebastian, Black Belt
Tyler, Black Belt

If you earned a black belt at DIMA but your name is not on the list, please contact Master Duque to have your name added and be recognized for your achievement. In addition, you also have the opportunity to apply for your next black belt rank if you attend promotion test training.

Get in touch!

Current members please contact DIMA directly at ottawadima@gmail.com.
    Please include your name and email address or phone number. Current DIMA students - please email or call to communicate with us.
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Duque Institute of Martial Arts ​• 4022 Tyler Dr, Ottawa, Illinois 61350 ​• Map ​•  Phone (815) 434-3220
© COPYRIGHT Duque Institute of Martial Arts 2020. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
  • Home
  • About
    • About the School
    • About the People
    • Why Choose DIMA
    • Fight For Your Dreams
  • Martial Arts
    • Taekwondo
    • Hapkido
    • Self Defense
  • Schedule
  • Activities
    • Annual Events
    • Summer Camp
    • Birthday Parties
  • Students
  • Contact Us