2023 Lifetime achievement award recipient.

Grandmaster Woo is recognized internationally for his expertise in Kung Fu and Tai Chi. He began studying Kung Fu in Guangzhou, China as a young man and has, over 60 years, attained the highest level of mastery in Tai Chi, Southern Hung Gar and Northern Shaolin Kung Fu systems.

2023 Living Legend award recipient

the Queen of SWAM, and founder of Sister, Warriors Against Madness SiDaGoo Dr. Odette Russell

 Dr. Odette Russell, also known as SiDaGoo is the wife of Sijo Abdul Mutakabbir.  She is a ‘Grandmaster’ and founder of the women’s division of SWAM. SiDaGoo has many accomplishments entitled to her name. Receiving a Ph.D. in Health Psychology in 2018, being promoted to 9th Degree Black Belt titled ‘Grandmaster’ and earning ‘Designated Inheritor’ to the SWAM Martial Arts Academy in 2019 are some of the prominent ones.  Although her martial arts journey officially started in 1971, where she trained for one year in the Ji Do Kwon Tae Kwon Do system, it wasn’t until she started training under her husband in 1980 that she considered herself a true martial artist.  By 1998, she formed her own female division of SWAM, Sister Warriors Against Madness. Along with thousands of hours of training time (over 40 years), she has also participated in semi-contact karate tournaments (katas and kumite division; 75% of her wins were in 1st place) for almost a decade (80s-90s),

The Martial Maze's 2023 International Artistic Excellence Award

Nathan began his Martial Arts career in 1968 under the tutelage of Angel Crespo Sensei, a very talented traditional Japanese Shotokan instructor, at a time when very few people even knew about karate. In 1971, after training hard for three years and becoming an advanced brown belt, Nathan would go on to train with many outstanding instructors the likes of Timothy Yearwood Sensei in Goju Ryu Karate, Peter Chan Sifu in White Crane Kung Fu, and Christopher Tang in Northern 7 Star Praying Mantis, all this while being the only black member of an all Chinese gang, The Quan Ying, Group of Eagles, otherwise known as the notorious Ghost Shadows. It was not unusual at that time for a Martial Artist to train in several different systems of the Arts as hardcore training was the norm.Known for his consistent hard work in training, his integrity, and his heart of courage, Nathan’s potential easily stood out to the powerful and gifted Martial Artist, Hector Martinez Sensei, the Chief Instructor of the ASKD, American Shotokan Kodokan Dojo, who would have the greatest impact on Nathan’s entire Martial Arts career.…. More on Nathan Ingram can be: foundhttps://daskaratefed.wordpress.com/founderchief-instructor/

2023 Unsung Hero award recipient

Founder of Sen-I-Ryu Budo(The indomitable spirit school). He holds a 10th Dan in Taiho Jitsu recognized by the United States Taiho Jitsu Federation. As well as the ITJF. He holds a 6th Dan in Okinawian Kempo Jitsu under Kenneth Melbourne Sensei. A senior student in Five Element Thai Chi under Winschel PC Woo. He holds a 3rd Dan in judo awarded by the United States Judo Association. Miarecki sensei was honored, and inducted into the Martial Arts Hall of Fame in 1998 for, Master instructor of the year. 1999 Man of the year, and in 2001 Pioneer of the year. In February of 2002 he was awarded a citation by the Massachusetts house of representatives for his contributions to educating young people in the values of martial arts.

Martial Scientist of the year award recipient

Founder of the Underground Alliance Martial Science Association. Which is dedicated to the exploration of proficient, realistic application of karate technique through common sense concepts and sound theory.

The 2023 Martial Maze Legacy Award

Martial artists, Derrick and Darren Whitley in their boxing careers had a combined 52 and 44 professional bouts, over thirteen years, respectively. They each won the Massachusetts State title in 2001, in separate weight classes, Derrick in the super middleweight division and Darren in the super lightweight division. They carry on their boxing legacy in Holyoke, Massachusetts at Whitley’s Boxing gym

2023 Martial Maze Jita-Kyoei – Mutual Benefit and well-being Award

Professor John Hatfield bowed into his first dojo in 1973. He was a student of Sensei Fredericks for a short time before transferring to the "United Studios of Self Defense" in Brockton, MA. It was there that he met GM Gallagher and started a lifetime student/teacher relationship. Professor Hatfield has been a student of Chinese Kempo for over 50 yrs. In the past Professor Hatfield was an active boxing and kickboxing competitor. He is recognized as an 9th degree black belt in Chinese Kempo. Professor, John Hatfield’s hard work in organizing events behind the scenes for the betterment of the martial arts community typically goes unnoticed. But not this year! We see you, and we thank you!

2023 Martial Arts pioneer award recipient

Founder of the open sparring group in Western, Massachusetts. Kent has trained in the art of Indonesian Kung Fu since he was 11 years old. He first started training in this style because of the spectacle found in martial arts movies, but soon found that a life in the martial arts could be so much more than fancy stunts and flashy kicks. He has come to the conclusion that this art belongs at the center of his life, and its benefits should be spread to as many people as possible.

He currently holds the rank of 4th degree black belt. In addition to teaching at Spirit of the Heart, Morgan now teaches in many local after-school programs including Ryan Road and Greenfield Elementary Schools. He also teaches special needs kids at Whole Children and brings Spirit of the Heart to the hills of Ashfield.

Foreign Minister's Commendation

Master Kudo, or Kudo Sensei as he is known to his students, began his formal training in the Martial Arts at the age of 9 in his home country of Japan. During college at Meiji University, he was chosen as an Uchi Deshi (live in student) of Kitabasashi Sensei,

at the Kodokan, the Headquarters of Judo in Japan. Kudo Sensei assisted teaching Judo and Tai Ho Jitsu and was chosen to teach at the Japan Police Academy as well as instructing the Emperor of Japan's “Royal Palace Secret Service”.

In 1963 and 1964 he became the All Japan Amateur Sumo Champion. Kudo Sensei also became the All Japan (Kokutai) National Judo Champion in both 1965 and 1966.

Kudo Sensei then came to the United States where he continued to train students. He was one of the coaches of the United States Olympic Judo Team twice.

His contributions to the local community include: Coordinator -Department of youth services 1992, Judo instructor Smith College Judo club 1984, Judo instructor East Longmeadow Park recreation 1982, Judo instructor Assumption College Worcester Mass. 1982 to 1986, Taiho Jutsu instructor for the Springfield police from 1986.