About the Arts
|
|
Voted 2007 Martial Arts School of the Year by the U.S. Martial Arts Association
The American Judo-Hapkido Institute has been in operation since 1974. During the early years, its founder, John Beluschak was teaching at various locations in the Western Pennsylvania area including local YMCAs, colleges and community centers. His reputation for quality martial arts instruction spread, and many students enrolled in his schools and programs. Originally located in the Woodland Terrace section of Clairton, PA, the school provided a location for children and adults to study competitive Judo and Hapkido self-defense. This first, small school grew in popularity and produced many area Judo champions and Hapkido practitioners.
In 1982, the American Judo-Hapkido Institute relocated to a storefront on Route 51 in Pleasant Hills, PA. Here the school saw continued growth as both the enrollment and martial arts programs expanded. Several future national and international Judo champions began their training at the Pleasant Hills dojang (school).
Today, the American Judo-Hapkido Institute is present in two locations. The Clairton, PA, area school has been in operation for several years while the Waynesburg, PA area school was established in January 2008. Both facilities house state-of-the-art Swain® mats, a large, main practice area, and changing rooms. The Clairton area school also houses three other mat areas often used for warm-ups, private instruction, belt exams and smaller class sizes, and provides periodic access to an outdoor training area. Classes are taught several days a week at both locations offering a variety of scheduling options for men, women and children. The American Judo-Hapkido Institute sponsors seasonal self-defense exhibitions as a means of furthering their students’ skills in the arts.
