Rick Savazian and his Mountainside Martial Arts Dojo since 1979 At Ahwatukee, we have been training students in Wado-ryu, a Japanese martial art that incorporates traditional modern karate and Shinto Yoshin-ryu jujitsu.
After being hampered for a while by the pandemic, Mountainside is regaining momentum with local tournaments and then major interstate competitions in California.
Fifteen Mountainside College students won medals in 29 events in California, and Savazian called it “a really great performance by each member of the team.”
The team is now setting its sights on the World Championships, which will be held in Tokyo from August 24th to 25th.
Mountainside Martial Arts Dojo was selected to represent Team USA.
“Coaches Damian Ludwig, Emily Thornton and Samuel Peterson bring their international experience to the coaching of our players,” Savazian said. “Their efforts have paid off, but there is still a long way to go.”
The team will compete in several more local and out-of-state events before heading off to the World Championships.
The team includes Samuel Peterson, Damian Ludwig, Jose Lopez, Sean Steedman, Emily Thornton, Joshua Smith, Gabriel Gomez, Raelynn Ludwig, Dominic Lanzo, Andrea Brown, and Joa Barker. They include Glenn, Micah Smith, Aksana Yazdani, Phil Cole, Daniel Barth, and Chris. Kracht.
For sponsorship opportunities and international standings, please contact the Dojo at 480-759-4540 or info@mountainsidemartialarts.com.
