Team NK: Page 2

Team NK Profiles:

Coach:

Name:  Dean C. Fuerstenberg Birthdate:  September 9th, 1968 Team:  John Paul Mitchell Karate Height:  6'0" Weight:  195 lbs. Started Martial Arts In:  1981 Started Competing In:  1992 Trains At:  National Karate Profession:  Director at National Karate

Mr. Fuerstenberg has quite the resume' for a karate competitor.  He is currently on the prestigious John Paul Mitchell Karate Team and is one of the top ranked point fighters on the N.A.S.K.A. circuit.  He is also a 3-time member of the United States Karate Team (1997,1999, & 2001).  And in 1999 he won the Silver Medal at the W.A.K.O. World Karate Championships in Venice, Italy.  And while accomplishing these feats, he also was/is the director of three National Karate School in the Chicagoland area.  Then, to top things off, he is also the coach of Team NK.

Competitors:

Name:  Todd A. Makowski Birthdate:  January 28th, 1984 Team:  Team NK Height:  5'10" Weight:  155 lbs. Started Martial Arts In:  1995 Started Competing In:  1995 Trains At:  National Karate Profession:  Student at DePaul University                    Instructor at National Karate

Todd Makowski is currently a freshman at DePaul University where he is studying for a major in computer science.  He is dedicated to achieve his goal to make his school's Dean's List.  And in his meantime, Todd puts all of his efforts to train for sport karate.  Todd takes 4 sparring classes a week at his karate school, and when he's not there he's at the gym trying to get in better shape.  This man is very dedicated to win many national tournament in point sparring and even a national title.  And beyond that, Todd one day hopes to make the WAKO World Team for the United States.

Name:  Grant D. Polachek Birthdate:  June 19th, 1985 Team:  Team NK Height:  6'3" Weight:  185 lbs. Started Martial Arts In:  1998 Started Competing In:  1998 Trains At:  National Karate Profession:  Student at Bartlett High School                    Instructor at National Karate

Grant Polachek is currently a senior at Bartlett High School in Bartlett, Illinois.  Grant is trying his hardest to keep his grades as high as they are, and to keep on the honor roll so that he will get accepted into a major college or university.  Grant really works hard to keep his athletic abilities at their peak.  With taking many sparring classes a week, lifting weights, and workouts on his own, Grant is striving to bring himself to the next level.  Mr. Polachek is focused to be the best in his divisions and to win many national tournaments.  And to keep his sucess up through his karate career.