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. On June 24, we will begin offering indoor classes in accordance with Illinois's Phase 4 guidelines.
About the People
Master Javier Andres Duque
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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.
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. |
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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 hunting and playing golf.
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Master Noah Fabris
4th 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.
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Rebecca Hess
3nd 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.
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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.
Hope Fabris
2nd Dan, Taekwondo
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Jennifer Bauer
2nd Dan, Taekwondo
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Nick Wiedman
2nd Dan Taekwondo |
Erika Sparby
2nd Dan, Taekwondo |
Nick Underhill
2nd Dan, Taekwondo
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Bailey
2nd Dan, Taekwondo
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Savanna
2nd Dan, Taekwondo |
Charlee
2nd Dan, Taekwondo
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Ron Pohar
1st Dan, Taekwondo |
Rob Fabris
1st Dan, Taekwondo |
Benjamin Frey
1st Dan, Hapkido |
Sarah Tracy
1st Dan, Hapkido |
Matt
1st Dan, Taekwondo |
Nate
1st Dan, Taekwondo
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AJ
1st Dan, Taekwondo |
Noah
1st Dan, Taekwondo
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Danny
1st Dan, Taekwondo
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Jack
1st Dan, Taekwondo |
Sebastian
Black Belt, Taekwondo
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Levi
Black Belt, Taekwondo |
Tyler
Black Belt, Taekwondo |
Valentina
Black Belt, Taekwondo |
Lindsey
Black Belt, Taekwondo
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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.
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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.
