Master John Hubbard Achieves 8th-Degree Black Belt Milestone
Celebrating Discipline, Skill, and Fifty Years of Martial Arts Dedication.
Martial Arts America hosted an extraordinary two-day event at the Boys and Girls Club in Russellville, Arkansas.
I was invited to cover the gathering where I had a front row seat as dedicated practitioners from across the region demonstrated discipline, skill, and perseverance, stepping forward to test their limits and earn their next ranks.
A central highlight of Friday's testing occurred when a panel of senior martial artists from across the country evaluated Russellville instructor John Hubbard for his 8th-degree black belt—pictured here holding his newly awarded Certificate of Promotion from The Masters Council.
This examination took place exactly forty years after John earned his 1st-degree black belt on August 7, 1986.
Inspired by Bruce Lee cinema in the early 1970s, John began his training with local karate lessons and built a five-decade career spanning karate, boxing, Lima Lama Kung Fu, taekwondo, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Jeet Kune Do, and defensive tactics.
Master Hubbard took ownership of Russellville Taekwondo Academy in December 1991, incorporating the school the following year and moving to its permanent location at 1704 E. Parkway Drive in November 2000, where it operates today as Russellville Martial Arts America.
A 7th-degree black belt in taekwondo and a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt under Matt Hamilton and Roli Delgado, John served on the United States Taekwondo Federation Board of Directors from 1996 to 2004 and attended federation instructor camps for fifteen years.
His competitive background includes USTF Grand National Championships, a 2001 GTF European Championship gold medal, IBJJF Masters World Championship bronze medals in 2017 and 2018, and division and absolute gold medals at the 2018 IBJJF Houston and Atlanta Opens.
Saturday, August 8th, 2026, concluded the weekend with Master's rank testing and the Kickin' It in the Valley 2026 Martial Arts Tournament. The tournament brought in competitors from multiple states to contend in patterns, sparring, board breaking, and additional divisions.
— Vincent Easley II https://reallibertymedia.com/author/https-reallibertymedia-com-author-vine