|
|
|
|
Knox youths to vie for national titles in Cincinnati meet ————————————————- By Steve Arel Inside the Turret sports editor ————————————————- Success is often the result of the effectiveness of one’s training. Just ask John Harris.When the Independent Karate Federation instructor leads 29 Fort Knox youths to Cincinnati this weekend to compete in the Amateur Athletic Union’s national tournament, the team’s performance will likely be a reflection of its rigorous preparation. While national prominence certainly is one of the IKF’s goals, the competition itself will be somewhat insignificant. Instead, it will serve more as a test of the students’ abilities and training than a quest for a prestigious title. "That’s why we go to competition," Harris said. "If they train all the time . without (participating in any competitions), or don’t have any goals to shoot for, then they don’t want to train. If they have something to shoot for, like a national championship, then they’ll train harder. "My goal is for these kids to compete on a national level, not local. Anybody could do local." Needless to say, the IKF’s preparation for the tournament has been intensified. "We’re practicing harder and longer," said Harris. "One-hour classes have turned into three hours." The lengthy training sessions have been physically draining, but haven’t hurt the youths’ abilities. "We’ve slowed down a lot. Right after the regional's (May 22), we started doing a lot of callisthenic type exercises - push-ups and sit-ups," Harris said. "We’ve dropped that from our routine and gone more to the technique-type training—sharpening their techniques and making what they know better. Now we’re slowing down completely. Our last power training (was Wednesday) so they have time to get their minds back together. "There’s only one reason why they can’t be No. 1, and that’s their training. It depends on how bad they want it. I’ve left the intensity (of training) up to them. They know what they have to do if they want to be No. 1." While just 13 IKF students attended last year’s competition, Harris believes that national exposure and continued training will pay dividends this week end. "There should’ve been more (attending the tournament), but that’s still pretty good," he said. "Those who went last year are better, while those who weren’t able to go are very good." With most of the IKF’s 29 entries competing at the intermediate, novice, and beginner levels of fighting and kata, Harris is optimistic about the prospects of some Knox competitors capturing national titles. "We’ve got a good chance," he said, "if everything goes right." In fact, Harris believes the team’s strongest opportunities for gold will come in the form of 12-year- old Elizabeth Irish and 10- year-olds Thomas McCloud, Eddie Rader, and Treat Emory. Irish, who ha. been a member of the program since it started last year, will try to extend h& unbeaten novice kata streak, which stands at three consecutive meets over the past six months. "There’s probably nobody in the nation who can beat her in kata," Harris said. "She hasn’t lost in an open or AAU tournament Her parents didn’t believe me when I told them about how good she was. She’s picking it up real well." One of the more hotly con tested battles in the tournament could likely involve green belts Rader, Emory, and McCloud, who finished first, second, and third, respectively, in sparring at the regional tournament May 22 in Cincinnati. "It could go either way (at nationals)," said Harris, who added that Rader and McCloud should also contend for the kata crown, "All of them have the same ability. It’s just going to be who ever is the best on that day. "These kids are good. If regions showed what we can do (27 medals, including 14 gold) when we took more gold than any of the other medals put together, that should be a good run on where we’re going to be when we get to nationals." |
|
|
Send mail to
senseijohn@windstream.com with
questions or comments about this web site.
|
