About the People

Master Javier Andres Duque

Master Javier Andres Duque began practicing taekwondo and hapkido 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.

​In 2003 Master Duque moved to Ottawa, and in 2005 he opened DIMA. 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.

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.

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! He fell in love with teaching when he began assisting in classes as a red belt and has been doing it ever since. Steven is the President and CEO of the First National Bank in Ottawa and enjoys spending time with his family as well as playing golf and hunting.

Noah Fabris
3rd Dan, Taekwondo

Noah started taekwondo in 2006 and began teaching in 2012. He is excited to teach because he loves working with kids and is excited to share his passion. In his spare time, he plays video games and plays music. In addition to being an instructor at DIMA, Noah is currently attending Illinois Valley Community College and plans to transfer to Illinois State University to major in Technology Education.

Rebecca Hess
2nd Dan, Taekwondo

​Rebecca joined DIMA in 2008 and began teaching in 2016. She enjoys teaching her favorite sport to children, and is especially dedicated to acting as a role model to young girls who do taekwondo. When she is not at DIMA, Rebecca is working at Mix’s Trading Post, playing video games, or working out. Eventually, Rebecca plans to earn a degree in either athletic training or physical therapy.

Our Current Black Belts

Our black belts are professional martial artists who are dedicated to the spirit of martial arts. Each 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.

Ron Pohar
1st Dan, Taekwondo

Rob Fabris
1st Dan, Taekwondo

Hope Fabris
1st Dan, Taekwondo

Jennifer Bauer
1st Dan, Taekwondo

Nick Wiedman
1st Dan Taekwondo

Erika Sparby
1st Dan, Taekwondo

Nick Underhill
1st Dan, Taekwondo

Bailey
1st Dan, Taekwondo

Savanna
1st Dan, Taekwondo

Charlee
1st Dan, Taekwondo

Matt
1st Dan, Taekwondo

Nate
1st Dan, Taekwondo

Sebastian
1st Dan, Taekwondo

Danny
1st Dan, Taekwondo

Noah
1st Dan, Taekwondo

Valentina
Black Belt, Taekwondo

Lindsey
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
​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
Francesca Dumitrescu, 1st dan
Corinne Lindig, 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

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

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.