# Donald L. Ellixson, Jr.

Donald "Donnie" L. Ellixson, Jr. (born xx/xx, 1975) is an American martial artist, Master Instructor, and actor. He currently holds a 6th Degree black belt in Taekwondo; Ellixson won many martial arts championships over the years and in 1994 at just 19 years of age founded his own Dojang Ellixson's Tae Kwon Do Academy located in Boyertown, Pennsylvania. Ellixson went on to appear in a minor role as a stunt fighter in the M. Night Shyamalan film The Last Airbender along with four of his students. His students Tristan, Charlie & Piper Ellixson are also featured in the docuseries Kiddie Kai, an American docuseries reflecting the world of competitive kids' martial arts.

## Martial Arts education and belt ranking

Deeply rooted in the Korean history of Taekwondo, belts represent the various levels of Taekwondo. A student's rank is indicated by the color of his or her belt. Each solid color has a symbolic meaning; the stripe belts indicate an intermediate level. The gup ranks are preparatory ranks that are awarded before the dan ranks and correspond to colors other than black. When a student begins training as a white belt, they are considered a 10th gup. The student then works through the gup ranks where, at first gup, they are considered a dan candidate. Along this journey, the students work through various belt colors. Unlike the gup ranks, the dan ranks are awarded in increasing increments, from first dan to ninth dan.
* Junior rank (color belt): 급 (geup)
* Senior rank (black belt): 단 (dan)
** Il dan (일단), 1ST Dan: first-degree black belt (also known as cho dan (초단 hanja: 初段))
** Yi dan (이단), 2nd Dan: second-degree black belt
** Sam dan (삼단), 3Rd Dan: third-degree black belt
** Sa dan (사단), 4th Dan: fourth-degree black belt (often referred to as the first "master" rank)
** O dan (오단), 5th Dan: fifth-degree black belt
** Yuk dan (육단), 6th Dan: sixth-degree black belt
** Chil dan (칠단), 7th Dan: seventh-degree black belt (often referred to as "kwan jan nim" – grandmaster)
** Pal dan (팔단), 8th Dan: eighth-degree black belt
** Gu dan (구단), 9th Dan: ninth-degree black belt (sometimes referred to as "chong kwan jang nim" – Chief Master)
** Sib dan (십단), 10th Dan: Honorary
Black Belts awarded to Donnie Ellisson in order by Master/ Grandmaster who awarded them
* 1ST Dan:
* 2nd Dan:
* 3Rd Dan:
* 4th Dan:
* 5th Dan:
* 6th Dan: Grand Master John Chung (2022)

## Philanthropy

* The Project Action Foundation (1995-2001), which provided scholarships to "at risk" youth in the community.
* In September 2021, Ellixson partnered with the Colebrookdale Railroad for an event, a fundraiser raising $10,000 in support of the Boyertown Community Ambulance, which has been serving the community since 1941.
* In December 2022, Donnie Ellixson Jr., of Ellixson's Tae Kwon Do Academy in Boyertown, presented The Hwa-Rang Award to Marianne Deery (former Mayor of Boyertown, PA) in her home due to health reasons. Marianne was unable to attend the Dec. 10 awards banquet, so the award was brought to her. The award honors someone in the community who has the dedication, spirit, and perseverance of the Hwa-Rang Warriors of Korea.
** A Life Well Lived: Celebrating Marianne Deery, A community leader, a devoted wife, and a friend to all.

## Filmography

The martial arts reality show "Kiddie Kai" on the Discovery+ streaming channel features Ellixson's Tae Kwon Do Academy students Tristan, Charlie & Piper Ellixson. Children of Donnie and Jana Ellixson are among 6 schools competing in tournaments vying for championship status in season 1. Find the trailer on YouTube: .

## Distinctions, awards, and honors

* Amerikick Internationals Hall of fame - 2012
* The United States and World Breaking Association (USBA/WBA) US Open 2007 - Board Breaking 4th place, CO4-18 and over, Male, Black Belt
* Safe Clean and Green Award (2017)
* Pennsylvania Karate Hall of Fame (2019)
* Martial Arts Hall of Honors Chuck Norris Edition (2020)

## Martial arts and fitness
### Ellixson's Tae Kwon Do Academy

As part of Ellixson's students' requirements to achieve a Black Belt, they must participate in 25 hours of community service and 20 random acts of kindness. This is part of Ellixson's Pay It Forward Project. Each year the Pay it Forward Project is responsible for over 250 hours of community service and over 400 random acts of kindness in and around the Boyertown Community. With some grant assistance from 'Building a Better Boyertown' and volunteers from Ellixson's Pay it Forward Project, Ellixson organized and executed the installation of the 150th Boyertown Gardens in 2016 and received 'The Safe Clean & Green Award' as part of Pennsylvania's Downtown Center's Anniversary Gala in Harrisburg.

## Accomplishments

Ellixson is a world-renowned martial arts expert who has won many awards and competitions throughout his lifetime.
* Ellixson traveled the country between 1996 and 2003 working for N.A.S.K.A (North American Sport Karate Association) as a judge, center judge, event coordinator, promoter, arbitrator, and commentator.
* Ellixson promoted and executed the 'Victory at Valley Forge National Martial Arts Championships' from 2000 to 2003.
His accomplishments include the following:
* The Amerikick International Hall of Fame (2012).
* The Pennsylvania Karate Hall of Fame (2019).
* The Martial Arts Hall of Honors Chuck Norris Edition (2020).
Ellixson studied under Martial Arts Legend, Grandmaster Jhoon Goo Rhee. Ellixson also had the honor of working security at funerals for celebrities such as Linda Lee Cadwell, the wife of Bruce Lee, and the ex-wife of Chuck Norris. Ellixson was also a stunt fighter in M. Night Shyamalan's movie The Last Airbender.

## Dojang Awards Ellixson's Elite Team

Ellixson's Tae Kwon Do Academy Student Awards at the John Chung's World Cup Martial Arts Championships in Herndon, VA. hosted by Grandmaster John Chung.
Adult
* Axel Gonzalez-Kim: Forms 1st, Forms Grands, Point Fighting 1st.
* Dylan Swenk: Extreme Weapons 1st, Weapons Grands, Musical Forms 1st, Forms 2nd, Continuous Fighting 2nd, Point Fighting 3rd.
* Tabetha Miller: Weapons 1st, Weapons Grands, Forms 2nd, Breaking 3rd.
* Anita Graham: Point Fighting 1st, Breaking 2nd.
* Holly Lang: Weapons 2nd, Forms 2nd; Amanda Burger: Forms 3rd.
Kids
* Tristan Ellixson: Creative Weapons 1st, Weapons Grands, Breaking 1st, Musical Forms 2nd.
* James Thivierge: Weapons 1st, Weapons Grands, Forms 1st, Point Fighting 1st.
* Adrielle Santiago: Forms 1st, Weapons 1st, Point Fighting 1st, Continuous Fighting 2nd.
* Charlie Ellixson: Forms 1st, Point Fighting 1st, Weapons 3rd.
* Myles Omlor: Point Fighting 1st, Breaking 2nd.
* Lexi Miller: Weapons 1st, Creative Weapons 2nd, Forms 2nd.
* Nicole Shimukonas: Weapons 1st, Creative Weapons 2nd, Point Fighting 2nd.
* Vichenzo Ottey: Point Fighting 1st, Continuous Fighting 3rd, Weapons 3rd, Forms 3rd.
* Jordan Graham: Forms 1st, Weapons 3rd, Creative Weapons 3rd.
* Evan Lang: Weapons 3rd, Creative Weapons 3rd, Point Fighting 2nd.
* Anastasia Muzopappa: Honorable Mention

## Cultural impact

* bash presentation
** Boyertown Area Senior High (bash) Ellixson's Tae Kwon Do Academy presentation
** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=En0akwOv6wo
* The Journey to Black Belt with Ellixson's Tae Kwon Do Academy
** The 5 Tenets of Tae Kwon Do are: Courtesy; Integrity; Perseverance; Self-Control; and Indomitable Spirit. Watch as Master Donnie Ellixson, Jr. gives us a glimpse into the journey to becoming a Black Belt.
** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=buP05q9CeFU
* Journey to Master
** Watch Axel Gonzalez-Kim Jr. as he achieves his 4th-degree blackbelt, earning the title of Tae Kwon Do Master.
** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qb7C2NJYJL4
* World Cup Open Martial Arts Championship
** Competitors from all over the country come together for this amazing event. Held in Northern Virginia and hosted by John Chung Tae Kwon Do, you don't want to miss it!
** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nw6imM38u8I
* John Chung's World Cup Open Martial Arts Championship
** This amazing event has been going strong for more than 23 years! This tournament is open to all ages, skills, and styles. With superb judges, excellent staffing management, and a quality venue, this martial arts tournament sets the standard for the rest.
** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7hbMtXWIJEc
Muzo Media Productions

## News Articles

* Black Belt Magazine Vol. 34, No. 7 page 124.
* John Chung's World Cup Martial Arts Championships
* Ellixson's Tae Kwon Do Academy and Mentor of the Year! **
* Boyertown Area Citizen of the Year

## Grand Masters of Taekwondo

* List of taekwondo grandmasters