Real life karate kids get their kicks in Wales

It was the 80s. We fell in love with Mr. Miagi and Daniel-San in the Karate Kid and it’s not so hot sequels. For some, we would watch any martial arts movie that debuted. In 1988 Bloodsport with Jean-Claude Van Damme taught us that it didn’t matter how terrible the script and dancing, if you were fighting the kumite - YOU WERE AWESOME! Wait, what? The kumite – pronounced koo-me-tay. Yes, at 9 years old I knew the word but I had no idea how it was spelled until I was 43.

At 9 you could have asked me what my goals in life were and I would have just said “I hope the lunch ladies made chicken nuggets and mashed potatoes” and “I hope my dad buys me the Jordan vs. Bird Nintendo game.” A nine-year-old today is much more sophisticated. They carry more computing power in their pockets than the first space shuttle, call Nintendo “vintage” and eat school lunches of hummus and quinoa from their bento boxes. But there are still some cool kids that love karate.

Last week, I had the pleasure of chatting with a 9- and 7-year-old named Chance and Jaxon; and to make me feel even older, their 19-year-old Sensei (instructor) named Joe. They are all competing in the Kumite; not the movie version, the real-life point fighting competition at the World Kickboxing/Karate Union (WKU) World Championships next month. Right now, they’re training non-stop and enjoying every minute.

“In January, he made up this whole list of goals,” said Breanne Brady about her son Chance. He just wanted to make the USA team in the number one spot and earn a uniform. Now she is looking forward to the opening ceremony held in a castle in Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom.  For 4 days, competitors from over 30 countries will battle for the title of World Champion. Chance Brady may only be 9 but he is fighting kids that are bigger and he is winning. He won the Battle of Atlanta in his age group, it’s one of the largest tournaments in the country.

At only 7, Jaxon Cavanaugh is mostly excited about sharing bunk beds with Chance on this trip of a lifetime. He might seem little but he is fighting 9-year-olds in tournaments and knocking them down with sidekicks. When he fought in his age group this year, he never lost. Chance attends Lone Oak Elementary and Jaxon attends Ballard Elementary. Both are members of the Premier Martial Arts fighting team. The lead instructor at Premier is Sensei Joe Rhodes. He’s a 3-time world champion who started competing when he was their age.

 “The thing I’m most excited about is giving them the experience I had growing up,” said Rhodes, when asked about competing in the worlds again and taking his own students for the first time. He’s competed in at least 4 different countries for his world titles. At 19, he’s done more than most because of his drive and fierce determination. Maybe this has a little something to do with his mother who will also compete. Yes, his mom, Donna is also going to Wales and will compete in forms. When I asked him about her division, he only answered “the seasoned division.” As a mom, I love it. I’m sure she is saying “good answer, son.” I also asked in the event his students compete at the same time as his mother, which would he choose to watch. His responsible answer was “my students need me.”

The owner of Premier Martial Arts, Sensei Josh Smith had this to say: “I’m super proud. We are developing skills in martial arts as well as creating opportunities that allow them to see the world and do martial arts at the same time.”

If you want to help with fundraising for the three local competitors on Team USA, you can contact the author or Premier Martial Arts – Paducah. We will help connect you.

To watch the livestream of the tournament visit wkuworld.com for the schedule and video links.

(L to R) Chance Brady, Sensei Joe Rhodes and Jaxon Cavanaugh during a competition team meeting