Instructors

Mr. Tony Page

Mr. Tony Page started his martial arts training when he was just 10 years old. His first style, Judo, was a grappling art, and he reached brown belt when he was 12 years old.. He particularly enjoyed he stand-up part of Judo, which consisted of 40 different throws and takedowns.

Mr. Page took a few years off from martial arts while he was in college, where he earned a Bachelors Degree in Mechanical Engineering, and went to work in Spring City, Tennessee for the Tennessee Valley Authority as a start-up Engineer in one of their nuclear power plants. However, he could not stay away from the martial arts, and he began to study again on his own.

After changing jobs and moving to Sacramento, CA, Mr. Page began to train formally again in Songahm Taekwondo. He achieved his black belt three years later and entered the instructor trainee program in 1990. In addition, he began to train in another art, Hapkido, that had many of the strikes of Taekwondo with many of the takedowns from Judo. Finally, Mr. Page committed to the American Taekwondo Association and became a certified instructor in 1994. He has never stopped training, and teaching. He has been ranked in the World Top Ten in each belt rank, and in 2003 became World Champion in forms. In addition, he has trained four other World Champions, and his students have won over 80 state titles in forms, sparring and weapons.

The leader of The Black Belt Academy, Mr. Tony Page, founded the Black Belt Academy of Poplar Bluff in 2001. He is a 4th degree Black Belt in Songahm Taekwondo and continues to strive for excellence in himself and his students.

Ms. Judy Schremp

Miss Judy started her Black Belt Academy training in the summer of 2002. She tested for her orange belt in August of that same summer. Even thought she was scared to death (ask her about people who cry at testing!) she persevered and was successful in passing her first test. From there, she simply exploded in to the whole martial arts world.

Having never competed in anything in her life, Miss Judy allowed Mr. Page to talk her in to competing in a Taekwondo tournament. The tournament he chose for her: The Songahm Taekwondo World Championships in Little Rock, AR!!! She was thrilled (NOT!) but she trained hard, and incredibly, she won second place in forms! For three days Miss Judy had trouble keeping her feet on the ground. She floated! It was amazing to see.

In all seriousness, the victory changed her life . From there she became an instructor trainee, the school’s program director, and an icon in our school. With all her successes she eventually became a top, world class competitor. Yet, she has never lost her humility and sense of reverence for the lessons she has learned, and continued to learn in her martial arts training.

Miss Judy has continued her martial arts training, becoming both a 2nd degree Black Belt, and a certified Tai Chi instructor as well. She continues to work, train, teach, and spread her love of martial arts at the The Black Belt Academy of Poplar Bluff, and we are lucky to have her!!!