Leo Pryor, owner and head instructor of Taekwondo America, 135 E. Bridge St., Oswego, was inducted as Martial Arts Instructor of the Year.

The plaque he received includes the following passage:

"By direction of state representatives and directors, you have been acknowledged by your peers to receive this highest of all honors known. May you continue to walk with honor and continue to represent your art as you have, unselfishly and with proven dignity."

Only one inductee is recognized in each category.

The hall of fame was created in 1992. It recognizes martial artists nationwide. The USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame acts completely on its recommendations/nominations of those who are dedicated to the arts. The USA Martial Arts Hall of fame features those instructors that go year-long and life-long giving back to their art; the hardworking martial artist that keeps the martial arts alive.

The students who train with Pryor do not know who nominated him, nor does Pryor himself.

Pryor declined the invitation to go to Jamaica, N.Y. to accept the honor, induction, and award in person, because he had students who were going to Staten Island to compete in the New York State Tournament, and his first priority was to his students.

"This is the kind of unselfish commitment and dedication he has always given to the school and its students, and it is exactly the reason he is so deserving of this award," a student said.