On Feb. 18, Sensei David Harriger advanced to his Rokudan 6th degree Master black belt through the Fudozen Shorinji Kempo Karate organization. Officiated by Hachidan Master Bill Matteson and Grand Master Jim Galati. Harriger has been a member of The Family Martial Arts Center, previously named Matteson Kempo karate, since 1994. As a role model and inspiration to many, he has proven to assist with bright futures in so many students. He has been involved in outreach programs to help families, and he participated in several of the tri-state area’s demonstrations and karate tournaments which Harriger placed many first-place titles in. Harriger began his journey in martial arts when he was 3 years old under the lineage of Sensei Tim Smith of Brocton. He trained alongside his father, Sensei Randy Harriger for several years. At age 13, Harriger started his career in the Kempo martial arts under Master Sensei David Larkin. In 1998, Mattesson owned the dojo(studio) and Harriger continued with his training. Harriger was and still is committed to the realm of martial arts. He owns Elevation Combat Sports Academy of Fredonia, where he trains and teaches boxing, kickboxing and Jujitsu. Elevation is currently preparing its fight team to attend the ISKA Northeastern qualifier kickboxing tournament in May hosted in Delaware. Harriger’s training consisted of punches, kicks, ground defense and offense, balance in the mind and body, grappling, weapons training, and many other aspects of defense. Matteson’s son, Sensei Cameron Matteson, participated in the prestigious ceremony alongside Harriger as an Uki (partner) since he knew the drills as well. Harriger is the godfather of Cameron Matteson. Harriger is the son of Randy and Debbie Harriger of Brocton, who have followed his journey since age 3 years old in Karate and attended most of his classes while training. Grand Master Jim Galati of Lawtons is the originator of the Kempo Karate style martial arts back 60 years ago. On the same day, Master Harriger’s father, Sensei Randy Harriger, advanced to his Shodan black belt under the lineage of Sensei Tim Smith of Brocton. Randy Harriger began his training under Sifu Al Fross of Dunkirk in the early 1980s. Fross had a dojo in Dunkirk on Central Avenue titled Gentle Hands Academy of Martial Arts. Fross passed away in 1987, Randy Harriger continued his training under Sensei John Schmidt of Dunkirk and Smith, both of whom received their black belts from Fross. They opened a dojo on Main Street in Brocton where Randy Harriger trained through the 1980s until the early 1990s. After the dojo closed in the early 1990s, Randy Harriger continued training with Smith on and off through the years.

For more information, visit www.thefamilymartialartscenter.com or call 716-680-1121.