|
|
|
|
Getting In Their Kicks
E’Town Karate students aim high in national competition
Irish a 15-year-old sophomore-to-be from Fort Knox, remembers that day loin and a half years ago, and says she knows that karate will always be much more than her chosen sport, but also her chosen profession and way of life. "I started karate because my brother and I used to pick on each other, He was older, and I wanted to beat him up," she admits with a laugh. "But the real thing about it is the competing. It is very And Irish’s competitors know they are up against the best when she steps into the ring, makes her bow, and begins her moves. "She’s the top at her field," said sensei John Harris, who teaches karate at Fort Knox and at the Elizabethtown Swim and Fitness Center. There are very few students in the US who are better than she is. Her lowest showing has been third in the past three years. Irish’s regional showing includes four gold medals — one for each event she entered. "In this state and in this region, there is nobody better," Harris said "She is always first." Irish a black belt, rounds out the top of the list of seven Harris Martial Arts Students who have just finished qualifications at the regional level and are now excitedly training for national competition June 23-31 in Riverside. Calif. That elite group includes Harris’ son, John N. Harris, who is also a 15-year-old black belt.
"I always tell the kids, it doesn’t matter if I’m teaching or who is teaching. What matters is what you get taught, he said. "I feel good for (the kids) but karate is a very independent sport. It has to be from inside them. They have to have the determination. to make their body strong. "I can show them, but they have to come up with the feeling, the desire." Harris said. "It more than what instructors give you. Determination is something I can’t give them. But we have helped them find that here." Irish displays her determination by honing her sport for three hours a day, six days a week. She said karate will be a lifelong adventure, with more competition in her future, and one day, her own karate school. Irish’s accomplishments already include coming in third in her division in the national competition last year, as well as being winning a gold and silver medal in the Junior Olympics last year. Irish was first runner up in the overall Junior Olympics award based on performance in all events, but a girl who was just a bit older took that home. "Not this year," Irish said, with a laugh on!) partially hiding the truth in the statement. Her parents, Bud and Marie Irish, say they are proud of their daughter accomplishments, "I was surprised that she picked karate," Bud Irish said. "I had participated in a lot of sports, but that is one that I didn’t. It’s something I couldn’t help her in. She had to do it all on her own." Irish isn’t the only student who lives her sport. Karate student Stephanie McClain, a 16-year purple belt who will also compete in her division at national competition, says karate is also more than just a hobby. She, too, says she hopes to achieve all of her belts and one day open her own karate school. "I see karate as a lifelong thing.. I can’t picture myself quitting," she said. "What keeps me interested in karate is that it is one of those things where there is always something new. You never perfect what you do. There is always something to look forward to, always one step more, one step harder. "I guess that’s what I like," she said, "the challenge." McClain said karate students have a deep respect for the sport, and though there are dangers, as with other contact sports, the training prepares each one. "When I first got out here, it. hurt. And it still does," she admits. "But I am more fit now. it would hurt for anybody, but it mainly depends an the other person, how hard they kick. "Some people come in and pound. pound, pound," she said with a laugh. "They think look like a good target — bam.’ Most of the time it is controlled. We don’t aim to hurt people." McClain said she is nervous bi confident about going to the national championships. "It’s going to be a tough tournament and 1 know that. I just’ have to have the mindset that there are going to he 3,000 people there and I have to go against a few of them," she said. "I’ve trained hard and I just have to do my best." Both McClain and Irish agree that while karate makes them feel more confident in their ability to take care of themselves, personal protection was never a factor in their love of the sport. Harris said karate is not meant to be taught as merely a means of defense. "This is a way of life for them. This is what they want to do all the time," Harris said. "It’s not just combat, it’s way of life. If I’m teaching them to fight. I’m not doing it right. You teach them to be good citizens, have good etiquette, be good people. "If by chance they learn to fight, good." he said. "But I don’t. teach them to fight. I teach them to do karate. |
|
|
Send mail to
senseijohn@windstream.com with
questions or comments about this web site.
|
Elizabeth
Irish dabbled in just about every girls’ team sport available-soccer, baseball,
basketball but it was only when she stepped into the John Harris Martial Arts
School she knew she had found a sport she could really get a kick out of
The senior
Harris, who combines strict discipline with a genuine way with kids, is modest
about his own accomplishments in producing a top team of karate students.