By Ron Marcell
Special to The Island News
On Saturday, July 5, 2025, five dedicated students from Club Karate in Beaufort earned their first-degree black belts in the Chuck Norris System, marking a significant milestone in their martial arts journey.
Ronnie Hughes, Cadelyn O’Connell, Farris Hernandez, Jose Fernandez, and Gordon Ivey showcased their skills, resilience, and determination during a rigorous three-plus-hour examination, the culmination of a collective 48 years of training filled with blood, sweat, and tears.
The test, held over the Independence Day weekend, was overseen by a United Fighting Arts Federation (UFAF) Region 7 Black Belt Test Board led by Master Chuck Elias, a ninth-degree black belt, alongside Jessica Lehnert, third-degree black belt; and Ron Marcell, a second-degree black belt. The Chuck Norris System, founded by Grandmaster Chuck Norris — a 10th-degree black belt, action movie star, and former middleweight karate champion — emphasizes discipline, technique, and personal growth, standards upheld by UFAF.
Master Elias, who tested for his black belt in 1983 under Grandmaster Norris, has operated Club Karate since it opened on Paris Avenue in Port Royal on May 2, 1988. Club Karate has been on Lady’s Island since 2007. Over those 37 years, Master Elias has trained and promoted 88 black belts, including these five exceptional students.
Their journey to black belt included a pre-test in early June, which helped them refine their techniques, and the submission of essays reflecting on the profound impact of their training. For O’Connell, karate provided a sense of confidence and self-defense skills, preparing her for life’s challenges as a young woman.
Hughes, a martial artist since 1972, found renewed purpose and community at Club Karate, overcoming past injuries to compete again. Ivey’s decade-long training taught him resilience, helping him navigate spinal surgery and a year away at the Governor’s School.
Fernandez credits his training in the Chuck Norris System with reducing symptoms of a medical condition and fostering discipline. Hernandez, starting at age 4, attributes his physical and mental growth to the supportive environment fostered by Master Elias.
Beyond physical prowess, these students’ essays highlight the mental and emotional growth derived from years of training — struggling to perfect techniques, sparring to learn about winning and losing, and building confidence and inner strength. This foundation underpins their ability to execute complex forms, deliver precise strikes, and defend against opponents — skills they demonstrated to great effect during the test.
Club Karate’s latest black belts embody the ethos of the Chuck Norris System: perseverance, respect, and personal transformation. As Master Elias celebrates their achievement, the Beaufort community joins in recognizing these individuals for their dedication and the enduring impact of their training.
