Sports

Novi Karate Instructor Inducted Into Midwest Hall of Fame

Chris Szelap was honored with 20 other women on Saturday.

Co-Owner and Instructor of Family Self Defense Center Chris Szelap was inducted into the Midwest Women's Martial Arts Hall of Fame of Excellence on Saturday.  

Twenty women from the Midwest were honored for their efforts in the development, participation and establishment of a successful martial arts training program. State Representative Rashida Tlaib was on hand to certify the event along with six karate grand masters from different styles who conducted to nomination process. 

Szelap is a 5th degree black belt in Isshinryu Karate and along with her husband, 6th degree Master Z, has run Family Self Defense Center in Novi for more than 20 years. Most recently, the dojo was named Best Dojo in Novi or Northville in the Novi Patch Readers' Choice awards. 

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While very pleased and proud of this accomplishment, Szelap is quick to applaud the tremendous work of her talented students and supportive parents that allow the dojo to consistently remain one of the top schools in the area.


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