Martial artist from Indiana aims for the highest belt rank

Evansville, Indiana – A martial artist from Indiana will take the test for her 9th degree black belt.

A press statement states that Evansville resident and Chief Master Cheryl Brice, 64, will compete for the 9th Degree Black Belt rank on July 13 at the 2023 ATA World Expo.

Along with Chief Master Tammy Harvey-Stauber, Brice will compete for the honor with seven other Chief Master Instructors. The two women will compete for the first female 9th Degree Black Belt in ATA Martial Arts.

The highest belt rank in ATA Martial Arts is a 9th Degree Black Belt.

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime honor, and we are paving the way for many of our fellow female martial artists to follow in our footsteps,” says Brice. Many of the high ranking ladies were included in my testing presentation as attackers and board bearers because I wanted to recognize my fellow female black belts.

Because her senior ranking instructors will be testing for a higher rank as well, Brice claims that this testing will be epic. She has been teaching Senior Master Kevin Rine for more than 40 years. He is a 7th degree black belt who will test for an 8th degree.

Mrs. Beth Moreland has been a manager and instructor for Brice for more than 22 years. She recently passed her 6th Degree Black Belt test. Moreland will be able to complete the training to become a Master Instructor after she has attained the rank.

Cheryl’s daughter Katherine Brice, 23, will be pursuing her 5th Degree Black Belt.