Grand Master Ron Troutman of Sugar Grove received the Ken Knudson Memorial Award and was inducted into the Illinois State Martial Arts Hall of Fame at a ceremony and dinner at the Balagio Restaurant. This award is given to the martial artist who exhibits the highest standard of martial arts dedication and service to the martial arts community and who have made a profound impact on the sports of martial arts.
Grand Master Ron who was honored by receiving these prestigious awards, was accompanied by his wife of 55 years, Revann, son, master Rocky, daughter, Darla and other family members plus black belts from Rocky's Dojo & Gym in Sugar Grove. The ceremony included top martial artists from throughout the state. Master Rocky was inducted in the Hall of Fame in 2009. Ron and Rocky are the only father-son combination in the Hall of Fame.
Grand Master Ron Troutman, Ju-Dan or 10th degree black belt was introduced to Isshin-Ryu Karate in 1960 by Jim Chapman, known as the "Fighting Sensei". Later Grand Master Troutman studied under Jesse Gallegos, who was a student of Sensei Chapman. Sensei Chapman studied under Master Don Nagle. In 1974 Grand Master Troutman, with his son Rocky, then a 14-year old black belt, founded Champion Karate Studio in Aurora. In 1984 the Troutmans expanded by designing and building Rocky's Dojo & Gym, Inc. in Sugar Grove. The complex is a unique design which features five-foot octagon windows and a 6,400 square-foot multi-level including a dojo, complete weight room, boxing ring with bags, showers and lockers with all the amenities. |
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In 1988 Grand Master Ron more than doubled the size of the complex to 15,200 square feet. Known as the Octagon Center the building includes 11 businesses and four living quarters. The multi-million dollar complex is a showplace for Isshin-Ryu Karate, Kickboxing, Boxing, MMA, Weight Training, Jujitsu and Zumba. There has been over 100 students promoted to black belt since 1974. He has held over 125 open karate tournaments since 1974, currently four per year. In 2009 he was promoted to 10th degree black belt by the International Council of Black Belts (I.C.O.B.B.) which he now heads up along with Master Jane Gallegos. He was promoted to 10th degree black belt by the United Black Belt Council of Phoenix, Arizona.
Grand Master Ron Troutman, 73, still teaches classes at least three days per week at the dojo and loves the camaraderie with the students. Devoted to the mental and spiritual aspects of the martial arts and positive thinking. His favorite books include Think and Grow Rich, by Napoleon Hill; The power of Positive Thinking, by Dr. Norman Vincent Peal; The Magic of Believing, by Claude Bristol and The Power of your Subconscious Mind, by Dr. Joseph Murphy.
Grand Master Troutman retired from Caterpillar, Inc. and the International Union U.A.W., where in 2000, he concluded serving as an international representative for 18 years. |
