Utah Karate Institute: Featured Students

BLACK BELT EXAM

Held on Saturday June 28th, 2025

[Pictured Above -Left to Right]
Resse Reyns, Porter McDonald & Emmot Sadler

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PORTER MCDONALD
Promoted to 2nd Degree Black Belt

Sensei Porter McDonald started in October 2012
Earned his 1st Degree in March 2016
Served a mission in Chili & Returned to training.

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REESE REYNS & EMMOT SADLER
Promoted to 1st Degree Black Belts
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Reese started training in September 2022, Earned her Red Belt in August 2024
Emmot started training in March of 2019. Earned his Red Belt in in October 2023

"Sensei"
VANN LEE WOODS
United Grappling JIU-JITSU Tournament
Salt Lake City, Utah
May 17th, 2025

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"OGDEN MARATHON"
May 17th, 2025

JENNA SMITH
Pictured Above
3rd Place in her Division
Also ran from Utah Karate Institute:
Mr. & Mrs Trevor Smith, Adrienna Smith, Sofia Smith, Olivia Smith
Reed Smith, Spencer Kobe, Rachel Kobe, Emi Kobe, Kaitlin Buell
Clara Bullock - 4th Place in her division & Lydia Bullock
All setting new personal records.
WAY TO GO!!

CONGRATULATIONS!
May 2025
Promoted to 1st Gup RED BELT
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Rylie Welch, Jacob Lamb, Landon Machac & Olesya Machac
(Pictured above Left to Right)

May 15th, 2024
Promoted to 3rd Gup BROWN BELT
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Dash Trillo, Robbie Redding & Henry Bullock
(Pictured above Left to Right)

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VANN LEE WOODS
Vann has fullfilled one of his desires after years of training,
as a State Wrestler in High School, earning a Master Degree in
Karate Shin-Toshi,
And He continues Learning & Teaching Jui-Jitsu here at
Utah Karate Institute

He competed in his first
AMMY FLYWEIGHT MMA FIGHT
held on Saturday April 5th, 2025
at the Union Event Center in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Click or copy below for a YouTube link to watch his
WINNING MATCH
https://youtu.be/ycr4pY4TxoA?si=b0JnbAjaXeeOGJ1-
in the first 2:28 mins of round 1 of 3,
by Submission with a Rear Naked Choke

CONGRATULATIONS!
SENSEI VANN LEE WOODS!

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BLACK BELT EXAM REQUIREMENTS
Held on Saturday March 22nd, 2025
This is Part 1 Only!
Some Pictures to Enjoy!
(Part 2 - TBA)

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CONGRATULATIONS!
Test held on February 27th & March 1st, 2025

Promoted to 1st Degree Black belt:

BRODY TERRY & JASON MARTERSTECK
(Pictured Above Left to Right)

Brody Terry
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Jason Martersteck
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Also Recognized for 25 years with
Utah Karate Institute
"Sensei"
EVAN WELCH

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CONGRATULATIONS!
Test held on February 8th, 2025

Emi Kobe, Jenna Smith, Lily Smith, Liam Dalton & Clara Bullock
(Pictured Above Left to Right)

Promoted to 3rd Degree:
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Emi Kobe
(Pictured Above)

Promoted to 2nd Degree:
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Clara Bullock
(Pictured Above)

Promoted to 1st Degree:
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Jenna Smith, Liam Dalton & Lily Smith
(Pictured Above Left to Right)

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CONGRATULATIONS!
"VANN LEE WOODS"
Awarded
"INSTRUCTOR Of The YEAR
& MVP for 2024"
Jiu-Jitsu Competitor & Instructor
Example of Excellence

Jiu-Jitsu Ground Sparring
taught by
"Sensei Vann Woods"
6th Degree Black Belt Shin-Toshi Karate
Classes Held on Mondays!
5:30pm-6:30pm
INVITED BBC MEMBERS ONLY!
MUST HAVE A PARTNER
If you're interested,
Contact "Sensei Vann Woods" or the office to qualify for our requirements and sign up!
Limited Space
Beginning January 1st, 2025
SEPERATE MEMBERSHIP REQUIRED!

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What a way to start the New Year!

CONGRATULATIONS!
"Sensei"
VANN LEE WOODS
1st Place
Grappling Industries JIU-JITSU Tournament
Draper, Utah
January 4th, 2025

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"HIGHLIGHTS for 2024"
Below

YOUTH INSTRUCTOR OF THE YEAR
2024
CONGRATULATIONS!
TORI SMITH
3rd Degree Black Belt

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"Sensei"
VANN LEE WOODS
Traveled to Las Vegas
WORLD IBJJF JIU-JITSU TOURNAMENT
December 12th, 2024

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Congratulations!
Promoted to Green Belt!
AVA HEALY & ROBBIE REDDING & TIMOTHY SIMILA & DASH TRILLO
(Pictured Below Left to Right)

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ADVANCED BLACK BELT EXAM
Held on November 9th, 2024
CONGRATULATIONS!
Tested for their 3rd Degree Black Belt

RACHEL KOBE & REED SMITH
(Pictured above Left to Right)

[Some Pictures from the November's 2024 exam below]

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STUDENT OF THE YEAR
2024
CONGRATULATIONS!
REED SMITH
Promoted 3rd Degree Black Belt
November 9th, 2024

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CONGRATULATIONS!
November 14th, 2024
Promoted to 2nd Gup RED STRIPE
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Rylie Welch, Elizabeth Williams & Casey Scadden
(Pictured above Left to Right)

CONGRATULATIONS!
October, 2024
Promoted to 3rd Gup BROWN BELT
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Alexia Busson, Landon Machac & Olesya Machac
(Pictured above Left to Right)

CONGRATULATIONS!
September 28th, 2024
Promoted to 3rd Gup BROWN BELT
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Jacob Lamb & Diego Reyes
(Pictured above Left to Right)

August 17th, 2024
Promoted to 1st Gup RED BELT
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Reese Reyns & Rosie Salimeno

(Pictured above Left to Right)
Promoted to 3rd Gup BROWN BELT
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Rylie Welch, Elizabeth Williams & Audrey Salimeno
(Pictured above Left to Right)

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"SENSEI" VANN WOODS
Brings home another Medal from
Grabling Industries, Draper, Utah
Saturday October 12th, 2024

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"SENSEI" VANN WOODS
1st Place Jiu-Jitsu Tournament
Salt Lake City, Utah
October 5th 2024

FIGHTCON WINNER
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BLACK BELT EXAM
July 20th - July 27th, 2024

SpencerKaitlinSolomon

[Pictured Above]
Spencer Kobe, Kaitlin Buell & Solomon Stewart
4th Degree Black Belts

JorgeVazquez6th

[Pictured Above]
JORGE VAZQUEZ
6th Degree Black Belt

OliviaAdrienneJuly2024

[Pictured Above]
Olivia Smith & Adrienne Smith
3rd Degree Black Belts

BBTestJuly2024Group

BBTestJuly20245

[Some Pictures from the July 2024 exam below]

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Determination and Persistence!
"SENSEI" VANN WOODS
Brings in another Medal from Saturdays'
Grappling X Jiu-Jitsu Tournament
Salt Lake City, Utah
July 27th 2024

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"Sensei"
VANN LEE WOODS
Earns another
GOLD MEDAL
Saturday July 13th, 2024

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(It is not always easy)

CONGRATULATIONS!

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SWORD SEMINAR
held on
Thursday June 27th, 2024

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(Pictured above Left to Right)
Avree Fife, Luke Schneiter, Samuel Bullock, Ryker Tidwell & Liam Dalton

Sensei Solomon Stewart
3rd Degree Black Belt
Instructor

CONGRATULATIONS!
June, 2024
Promoted to 1st Gup RED BELT

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Derick Turner, Christian Armstrong & Brody Terry
(Pictured above Left to Right)

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Luke Schneiter & Cameron Bruestle
(Pictured above Left to Right)

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Hard work and Perseverance!
"SENSEI" VANN WOODS
Brings in another award from Saturdays'
Grappling Industries Jiu-Jitsu Tournament
Salt Lake City, Utah
April 13th 2024

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CONGRATULATIONS!
April 11th, 2024
"Sensei Lily Smith, "Sensei" Ryker Tidwell & "Sensei" Samuel Bullock
Promoted to 1st Gup RED BELT
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Lily Smith, Ryker Tidwell & Samuel Bullock
(Pictured above Left to Right)

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April 10th, 2024
"Sensei" Liam Dalton & "Sensei" Ethyn Roman
Promoted to 1st Gup RED BELT
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Liam Dalton & Ethyn Roman
(Pictured above Left to Right)

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Congratulations!
"SENSEI" VANN WOODS
Earns the Bronze
North American Grappling Association
Draper, Utah
April 6th 2024

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CONGRATULATIONS!
April 8th, 2024
"SENSEI"
BRIGHTYN & K.J. DEBOER
Promoted to 1st Gup RED BELT
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Brightyn & K.J. Deboer
(Pictured above Left to Right)

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March 29th, 2024
"SENSEI"
AOCI BIKYEOMBE
Promoted to 1st Gup RED BELT
[4 mile run in 29 minutes]
and
SENSEI REESE REYNS
Promoted to Brown Belt
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Aoci Bikyeombe & Reese Reyns
(Pictured above Left to Right)

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ADVANCED BLACK BELT EXAM
Held on March 16th, 2024
CONGRATULATIONS!
Promoted as follows:

Tested for their 3rd Degree Black Belt

Sofia Smith & Tori Smith
(Pictured above Left to Right)

Sofia Smith, Tori Smith, Lincoln Dunkley & Issac Carlson

(Pictured above)

Tested for their 2nd Degree Black Belt

Lincoln Dunkley & Issac Carlson
(Pictured above)

(A few highlights below)
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Congratulations!
"SENSEI" VANN WOODS
1st Place Jiu-Jitsu Tournament
Grappling Industries, Draper Utah
January 6th 2024
PROMOTED to BLUE BELT
On the Podium
JIU-JITSU

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"YEAR END AWARDS from 2024"

VANN LEE WOODS
"INSTRUCTOR OF THE YEAR - 2024"
also during 2020, 2021, 2022
And "MVP" [Most Valued Player] for "2024"
6th Degree Black Belt December 29th, 2023

Sensei Vann Woods has been a Leader in many areas: First when he was a student, now as a Master Instructor. He worked hard as a State Wrestler in High school and continues advancing in rank with Jui-Jitsu as a World Competitor. He has developed a program here at Utah Karate Institute with teaching ground sparring and shares his knowledge with his students who admire and look up to him.
He earned the title of "Instructor of the Year" for 2020, 2021, 2022, and now again for 2024, including earning the "MVP" [Most Valued Player] award. We look forward to his continued growth and are very proud of you "Sensei" Vann Woods!

Click Below to learn more about our Team Members!

TORI SMITH
"YOUTH INSTRUCTOR of the YEAR" - 2024
3rd Degree Black Belt March 16th, 2024

Sensei Tori Smith has stood out from the rest. She is devoted to doing her best and strives to share that idea with all our students, both the youth and adults. She is remarkable in expressing her talent while performing and demonstrates "Excellence" as an Instructor and Leader. She shares and guides her students with empathy, giving all students the assistance they need, with positive feedback making the students welcome & proud. She will be traveling to serve her church in Brazil in February 2024 for 18 months. We will miss her but look forward to her return. She is a remarkable young lady in her family of 10 and we are happy for her dedication and desire to serve others. We are Proud of you "Sensei" Tori Smith!