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Knox karate kid sets sights on world title ———————————-—By Pfc. TAMI REIMAM Inside the Turret staff writer ——————————————
Winning two gold medals in the National Junior Olympic Games in Des Moines, Iowa, Aug 3-5 was a major accompliphment for Irish, who was de feated by a mere half. point In overtime in the fighting competition. "I want to beat her (Au)," said Irish, who competes in the International Karate Federation. "I came close at nationals, but I need to beat her at the international championships." International Karate Federation in- structor John Harris believes her chinces are good. "She improves with each tournament," he said, "and I think the question is, is there anybody out there that can beat her?" Irish, a first-year black belt, has been competing for 3 112 years Harris said Irish was the first student to sign up for his classes, which run three days a week for 90 minutes each. Each student competes in three events at each tournament. Kata is a routine that shows different techniques. Weapons kata is where a weapon a wooden staff six feet long is used to show fighting technique. Kurnite is the actual fighting. "To be good, you have to have dedi cation and give up a lot," Harris emphasized. "I want to stand out and a1 be. better than the next person," Irish said, "But trying to be the best is real ly hard." Irish laughed when she recalled the reason she decided to try karate. "I wanted to beat up my older brother, Bryan I haven t been able to succeed yet, but I’m still trying," she said. Irish, a freshman at Fort Knox High, plans to someday open a school under Harris and become an Instructor. Harris feels that the Olympics are in Irish’s future. "When karate is an Olympic sport," he said, "she will be participating in one way, shape or form." |
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Fort Knox
karate athlete Elizabeth Irish, 14, has her eyes set on the 1995 International
Karate-Do Championships Nov. 26, where she’ll face top rival Elisa Au in
Honolulu