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When Norma Brazitis was growing up in Longmont, she would stick up for kids who were bullied in high school. This made her a lot of friends.

“I was very popular,” she joked.

She continued her interest in self-defense through adulthood, and now she teaches it to others. She is an instructor at the Longmont Wing Chun Academy, which is owned by her husband, Daniel Brazitis. The two met when Norma was Daniel’s student at the academy.

The academy and the Brazitises recently were recognized at Shaolin Temple near Dengfeng, China. The temple is associated with the early history of Wing Chun, a form of martial arts that is featured in the “Ip Man” movies. The temple recently dedicated a plaque that honors Wing Chun practitioners, including the Brazitises and their Longmont academy. Daniel traveled to China to attend the event, a moving experience.

“I’m sure it hasn’t even soaked in yet,” he said. “It makes my students proud.”

He and Norma have visited China twice. The visits help put them in touch with the traditions of Wing Chun, which they view not just as a martial art but as a way to achieve self-awareness.

“It’s part of the history of the system,” Daniel said. “It kind of completes the circle to me.”

Daniel was 15 when he took up martial arts at a school that was located at Third Avenue and Main Street in Longmont. He was looking to learn self-defense.

“I was always picked on and bullied,” he said.

The Longmont Wing Chun Academy started in 1986 as a study group in Daniel’s garage. The academy has been at its current location, 1150 Francis St., since 2005. About 500 students have taken classes at the academy, and 10 of them have reached instructor level. Daniel is a great teacher, because he explains not just what to do but why, Norma said.

The Brazitises, who married in 2004, occasionally spar each other. But, they added, they spar “nicely.”

We all have causes we believe in. But, how many of us actually fight for these causes? On Saturday, November 16, Chrissy Beckles, a champion amateur boxer and founder of The Sato Project, fought at the Fighters 4 Life Charity Boxing Event to save abandoned pups in Puerto Rico — and we’re officially impressed.

Established in 2011, The Sato Project grew out of a heartbreaking experience Chrissy and her husband shared on a trip to Puerto Rico. The couple was shocked when their beach visits often resulted in sights of, not beautiful scenery, but abandoned dogs. Some were even chewing on rocks out of pure hunger. Chrissy knew something had to be done. And, in its first year, The Sato Project rescued over 400 dogs from Dead Dog Beach.

This November, as The Sato Project’s second anniversary nears, so does the organization’s busiest rescue season. The weeks between Thanksgiving and the end of January see record numbers of “dumped” dogs — pups often discarded on the beaches as unwanted gifts. In anticipation of the work ahead, The Sato Project entered the boxing ring to garner support for the cause.

Held at the world famous Gleason’s Gym in DUMBO, the event included a red carpet, snacks from The Taco Shop and Brooklyn Roasting Company, and fisticuffs to fear. Grace Baley, mosaic artist and Sato Project rescue mom, Anjali Lewis, Associate Publisher of Creative Services at Vanity Fair Magazine, and Beckles each entered the ring in support. After the match, Chrissy exclaimed, “we can hold our heads high as champions of the doggies!”

Ryan Rogers, a karate student of Sensei Corey Green of Green’s Karate, has made history four times.  Recently Mr. Rogers was officially diagnosed with ASD level 3 (Asbergers).  This process took over a year to complete and finalize the results.  Mr. Rogers found out on Oct. 31 and Roger told Sensei Green three days later.

In 2012, Ryan became the “first documented person in history with autism to win a medal (bronze) in kata in the 18 to 34 year old novice non-handicap division at the U.S Karate Nationals (usankf.org).”

Mr. Rogers won silver, in kumite, the next day, (same division) making him the “first person in history with autism to win a medal in kumite (sparring).”

Mr. Rogers also became the “first person in history with autism to become a U.S. National Karate Judge with the USA-N.K.F.”  He is also the first Chattanoogan born person to do so.  Mr. Rogers was amongst the referees and judges at the 2012 Nationals including veteran referee, judge and coach,  Sensei Green.

Sensei Green has been a judge and referee with the USA-N.K.F.  since 1998.   He is currently a referee “C” for kumite and a judge “D for kata for the USA-N.K.F.  Sensei Green, an Alaskan, continues to train under 8th degree black belt Sensei Katsutaka Tanaka.

Sensie Green authored a book recently titled “Finding Karate” and hired a man with autism, Ryan Netusil, to illustrate the cover.  The background for the cover is Moccasin Bend, located in Chattanooga where Sensei Green headquarters his karate school, Green’s Karate.

Coach Jeff Kohn, chairman and team coach for the U.S. National Karate Team was also the recipient of the newly created 2012 U.S. Olympic Committee for being the “Paralmpyic Coach of The Year.”

Mr. Kohn says that Sensei Green and himself are pioneers in the field of teaching special needs karate.  Furthermore, they (Mr. Kohn and Sensei Green) specialize in the building up of students with special needs to train alongside and eventually compete (if they want to) at the highest levels of karate competition (USA-NKF) possible.

Mr. Kohn and Sensei Green both strongly agree on the benefits of traditional karate including the; mental, physical, emotional and social benefits.

Mr. Green has several students with special needs that have made history over the years.

ESCONDIDO — A prominent figure in the local martial arts community will receive the rare honor today of becoming a 10th-degree black belt in karate.

Charles Hawkins, who founded one of San Diego County’s first martial arts schools in Escondido 42 years ago, said the award is less about his skill as a fighter and more about his many contributions to martial arts over the years.

Hawkins has taught thousands of young people and has used the sport to improve the lives of the disabled and others facing challenges.

“He pioneered a lot of things,” said Steve Truscott, a longtime student who now runs the Family Karate chain of martial arts schools that Hawkins started. “He would adjust our martial arts techniques to the person’s ability. He’s really an amazing man.”

Hawkins, 72, hasn’t competed since the 1980s and says he was never a standout fighter, although he did win the Baja California middleweight championship in 1974.

“I’ve always thought I was a better instructor than competitor,” said Hawkins, adding that more than 1,000 of his students have received black belts. “We helped a lot of people overcome some difficulties in their lives.”

Martial arts can create self-confidence in those who lack it, especially youngsters, Hawkins said. Based on that concept, he launched one the nation’s first karate programs for the disabled in 1976.

Hawkins downplayed the significance of becoming a 10th-degree black belt, but only a few hundred people in the world have reached that level.

“With that certificate and a dollar, I can get a senior citizen coffee at McDonald’s,” he joked. “It’s really only important in the realm of my organization and the martial arts world”

There is no national or international organization that awards belts by level. Hawkins was given the honor by his longtime instructor, Pat Burleson. In martial arts, students get moved up in rank by their instructor.

Hawkins said his jump in rank, from 8th degree to 10th degree, will allow his students to advance because students can’t match the rank of their teacher.

“Martial arts is one of the few sports where the coach is supposed to be better than the players,” he said.

Hawkins is legendary in the local martial arts community for his work with the disabled, his chain of schools and for the many martial arts events he organized over the years to raise money for juvenile diabetes, multiple sclerosis, cystic fibrosis and other diseases affecting children.

“He’s being recognized for so many decades of work in our community,” Truscott said.

Hawkins also helped train Chula Vista police in the 1990s and worked with martial arts film star Chuck Norris in the 1970s.

Since leaving San Diego about 10 years ago with Fran, his wife of 52 years, Hawkins said he’s been focused on his six grandchildren and other hobbies.

He lives in North Carolina, but he’s still an instructor emeritus at Family Karate in Escondido, the school he founded in 1971 as Escondido Academy of Karate. And he flies to San Diego every time a student takes a black belt exam.

Truscott said Hawkins is beloved and respected.

“He and his wife started all of this for us,” Truscott said. “He’s been a great mentor.”

Hawkins will receive his 10th-degree black belt under the Escondido City Hall dome during a ceremony scheduled for 5:30 p.m. today.