Two Wargos receive awards
By Kevin Schnepp Staff writer

Martial arts honorees Dr. Stephen Wargo and his son, Peter Wargo, were honored last month in Richmond during a U.S.A. Martial Arts Hall of Fame induction ceremony. Dr. Wargo was inducted into the hall of fame, received a doctorate degree and was named Master of the Year. Peter earned a professorship and Self Defense Leader of the Year. Photo provided

Dr. Stephen Wargo and his son, Peter, both of Delphi, received awards earlier this year from the University of Asian Martial Arts Studies and martial arts organization The Alliance.

Dr. Wargo was named Mixed Martial Arts Master of the Year, inducted into the U.S.A. Hall of Fame and awarded a doctorate of martial arts philosophy and martial arts science. Peter Wargo was named Self Defense Leader of the Year and given a professorship.

Peter began training under his father 22 years ago when he was eight years old. His wife, Carla, is also a fourth degree black belt.

The elder Wargo said he trained in the martial arts for 42 years, the past 25 in the Delphi area. He has trained over 300 people and ranked 32 black belts from the Delphi, Logansport and Lafayette areas.

Among other accomplishments, Dr. Wargo combined five types of martial arts to create Ji Kwan Do, a mixture of Korean and Japanese styles. Currently a Shihan under Soke Thomas Burdine at the Aikido Club of Lafayette, he began to train to become a Soke in March. He will also offer martial arts classes at the Carroll County YMCA beginning in June.

"I train people to be better persons through martial arts," he said. "There is no attacking. It is an excellent exercise of mind and body."