CSKM and NMAC SPOTLIGHT COMPETITOR – JAKE HAROMSZEKI

CSKM and NMAC SPOTLIGHT COMPETITOR – JAKE HAROMSZEKI

Photo credit: Sport Martial Arts.Com

Name: Jake Haromszeki

Age: 18

Martial Status: Single

Ethnicity: Caucasian

Primary Style: Goju Ryu

Highest rank achieved and year: 2nd degree black belt (2010)

Year Started Martial arts: 2002 started to compete in 2003

First Club and Instructor: Family Martial Arts (Stoney Creek) Matt Perrins & Niel Bishop

Why did you start Martial Arts? : To develop confidence and some balance and overcome the shyness I had as a little kid

Current Club and Instructor: United Family Martial Arts (Queenston) Trevor Nash & Casey Marks Nash

Current Team: Team United

Favourite Forms/weapons competitors: Jeff Doss, Mark Santoro, Casey Marks Nash, Andrew Cablian

Favourite Fighters: Trevor Nash, Shane Baker, Chelsey Nash, Doug Klatskin

Most admired persons: (martial arts) Shane Baker, Doug Klatskin, (non martial arts) my parents for dealing with me at tournaments

Martial Arts goals: To achieve my 3rd degree in the coming years, and to successfully transition from competing as a junior to now as an adult

It’s not too often that a competitor’s transition from the Junior ranks to Adults is successful on the first try.  In fact, one’s losses during this stage of transition serves not only as motivation but as a learning experience for one to only grow as a competitor.  “No one goes to a tournament to try and place 3rd or 5th, and you're not going to win every tournament you compete in, but it's those tournaments when you lose or don't necessarily finish how you would like to when you're going to grow the most.”  Such words are spoken by an eloquent young gentleman whose International experience in Sport Karate exceeds that of most Adult competitors.  This segment’s spotlight competitor is of a young gentleman who is discovering himself not only as a growing competitor (both physically and mentally) but as a person whose drive, desire and discipline are encompassed on all facets of his life.

18 year old Jake Haromszeki is a Stoney Creek, Ontario native who began his Martial Arts journey in 2002 as a wide-eyed, albeit shy 8 year old who was put into Martial arts to gain self-confidence and to overcome his shyness.  He began his formal instruction at Family Martial Arts under Matt Perrins and Neil Bishop.  He currently trains at United Queenston under the direction of Trevor Nash and Casey Marks-Nash and currently holds a 2^nd Degree Black Belt in Sport Goju-Ryu.  Jake caught the tournament bug in his early stages – less than a year from when he started training.  During his Under Black Belt years, Jake was a “jack of all trades” competing in Creative Weapons, Traditional Forms and Fighting.  However, as Jake progressed through his Sport Karate career, he decided to focus on his Traditional Forms and Fighting.  His focus definitely paid off as he was a consistent winner in both Korean Forms and Point Sparring for his respective 15 to 17 age bracket on NMAC, WKC and in the NBL.

However, much of Jake’s seasoning as a competitor came from his International competitions as he represented Team Canada at both the WKA and WKC World Championships on several occasions.  His most memorable moment at these competitions was his Bronze Medal win at the 2005 WKA Worlds on (relatively) home turf in Niagara Falls as he did it as a mere 12 year old Brown Belt, ousting many experienced Black Belts during the competition.  The highlight of his WKA experience, however, was his Gold Medal win in Light Contact at the 2008 Worlds in Orlando, Florida.  It was at this moment that defined him as an accomplished Overall Fighter in the Junior ranks.  What makes Jake smile in delight about this moment was the fact that he won his first World Title before he could even drive – something I’m sure he will cherish for years to come.  In addition to these accomplishments, Jake also holds a total of 19 WKA and WKC Regional titles plus an additional 11 National titles. 

Jake is one who constantly seeks new challenges and experiences to make himself a better competitor.  After several ventures overseas for International competitions, in 2011, Jake had his eyes on another prize – an NBL World Championship in Point Fighting.  During the regular season, Jake consistently won his Point and Continuous divisions at various Regional and National tournaments.  On the other hand, he would consistently place 2^nd or 3^rd in Korean Forms, losing to fellow United alum Trevor Brownell.  Earning himself a 1^st Place National seed in his fighting divisions, it definitely looked like he was a shoe in to win the 15 to 17 titles in his respective Fighting divisions at the NBL Super Grands in Sacramento, California.  However, the talent-laden divisions would definitely put a huge dent in his plans to win a World title in Fighting and he had to settle for a 4^th Place finish.  This was perhaps the fuel he needed to keep his fire burning at the Super Grands in his Korean Forms division later on that week.  In yet another talented field which boasted over 30 competitors and lasting almost 4 hours, Jake was pleasantly surprised when he found himself in 1^st Place after the initial eliminations with a mere National 2^nd seed (those familiar with NBL seeding know that anything less than a #1 National is practically a death sentence to a Forms competitor).  Jake carried this enthusiasm to the Grand Finale and with continuous momentum, he garnered his first NBL World title in Forms!  For Jake, this was a gigantic win due to the fact that by winning this title, he proved to people that he isn’t just a Fighter but that he was a formidable Forms competitor as well.  With these type of wins, Jake will definitely be one to look out for as he goes from “jack of all trades” to “master of all”, making his mark in Canadian Sport Karate as the Elite few who can say they are an Overall Champion. 

Jake’s list of favourite competitors and admired people is a nice melange of Sport Karate’s Elite and people who are closest to his heart.  Jake lists fellow United alum Ryan Young as his toughest Forms opponent during his years as a Junior.  Jake and Ryan went back and forth in the Korean Forms divisions in the WKC with Jake squeezing in several Regional victories over Ryan through the years.  With Jake entering the Adult divisions in 2012, he currently lists “everyone” as his toughest competition.  Jake most recently got his first taste of Adult Forms competition at the SMAC Internationals in Niagara Falls where he managed to place Top 8 in Japanese and Korean Forms.  On the Fighting side of things, Jake lists Nick Merlin and Jonathan Ferreira as his toughest adversaries in the ring.  Perhaps Jake will run into them again in the near future as both of them are in the Adult divisions as well.  Although Jake lists “everyone” as his toughest foes in Fighting, he definitely is off to a good start as his first Grand Champion win in Adult Fighting was earned at the 2011 Ontario Open as a 17 year old!  Not only was this his first win but it was a big win at that by beating Jason Brown – a highly seasoned competitor who has had alot more experience than Jake.  Jake’s winning streak in Fighting definitely kept going as he also earned his first NBL divisional win at the SMAC Internationals.  This served as a monumental stepping stone to his Sport Karate career as an Adult, seeing that one of his challenges was to fight Shane Baker in the Grand Champion rounds – an individual who Jake has the utmost respect for.  Although the outcome wasn’t in his favour, losing to a mentor isn’t such a bad thing as Jake earned valuable experience and know-how which he can parlay into future competitions.  If one were to extrapolate Jake’s current successes as an Adult, there is no doubt that he can make a name for himself as one of Canada’s Best! 

Outside of the competition side of Martial Arts, Jake lists earning his 1^st Degree Black Belt as one of his most memorable achievements.  He remembers dragging himself out of bed in the early hours of a chilly Sunday morning and having to run endless miles in the blizzard.  If this isn’t dedication, then no one knows what it is!  Anyone who has Jake as a Facebook friend can see that this was a defining moment in Jake’s life as it serves as one of his profile pics which has generated alot of commentary.  In addition to this, he also lists earning his 2^nd Degree as one of his remarkable moments as he stood side by side with a long time mentor - Rob Whitehouse – a person who Jake credits as his most valuable asset to his success.

Outside of Martial Arts, Jake aspires to pursue a degree in English and History and to head to Australia to become a high school teacher.  This should be no surprise as two of his school teachers are Black Belts themselves – Andrew Cabilan and Don Fearnside.  His classroom teachers list him as a “reserved, yet very motivated” student – one that lets his actions do all the talking.  Where some of his peers and classmates are galavanting and doing the bare minimum to achieve success, Jake is one to seek new challenges, set new goals and find different ways to achieve them. To date, Jake has had no problem setting goals and obtaining them – whether it’s in Karate or in school.  Jake is a testament to the cliché “Hard work pays off” and serves exemplary behaviour to those who look up to him.

Parents can understand the arduous effort it takes to keep a child motivated and successful.  As an only child, Jake’s parents concentrated all of their efforts to get Jake where he is today.  This is why Jake’s most admired people are none other than his parents.  Much like many Karate parents, Jake’s parents are visible fixtures to Canadian Sport Karate.  Not only do they support Jake’s effort in competition, but you can also see them cheering on the sidelines for other fellow competitors.  According to Jake, he empathizes with what his parents had to go through and the sacrifices they had to endure to get to where he wanted to be.  For Jake’s father, Mike, failure was never an option.  “Excuses are the nails that built the house of failure” says Jake’s father and Jake has internalized this since age 14.  With that said, if excuses are what build the house of failure, Jake has found the concrete to build the pillars of success.  Jake has already placed some solid foundation to his Adult Sport Karate career with monumental wins under his belt.  Transition stages are always the hardest as there is alot of “trial and error” involved.  However, with each competition, win or lose, the learning experience is a reward within itself as it can be used in years to come.  Jake is one who knows there are obstacles during his rise in the Adult ranks.  With Jake’s tenacity and perseverance, it will only take a short time for him to discover how high he must jump to overcome these hurdles. 

Not too many Juniors in Canada have made the smooth transition from Junior to Adult in recent times.  For alot of adolescents, many mitigating factors are involved in one’s decision to stay in the Sport or leave.  For Jake, goal-setting and goal achieving are relatively ubiquitous and his drive to be the best in everything he does is both commendable and inspiring to those who have second thoughts on their future in the Sport.  During his Martial Arts study, Jake has definitely embraced the most important virtue practised in the Martial Arts – Discipline.  Jake has handily used this in all aspects of his life - both in and out of Sport Karate.  Such exemplary actions and attitudes are attributes that all young men should embrace for themselves.  Jake Haromszeki definitely serves as a positive role model to the Junior/Future adult competitors out there and this is why he is the Spotlight Competitor.

The OFFICIAL 2012 WKC WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS TRAILER

Canada and the World... ARE YOU READY!!!

2012 WKC WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS - Montreal, Quebec, Canada

2012 QUEBEC OPEN (with link to flyer)

Click here for link to download flyer in PDF: http://www.tinyurl.com/2012quebecopen

PRE-NOTICE!!! 2012 QUEBEC OPEN (Quebec City, Quebec)

Canada's Premiere Event!

Quebec Open 2012
April 27 and 28, 2012

NASKA World Championships
NASKA Canada Champions Crowned

Event Premiere du Canada!

Québec Open 2012
27 et 28 avril, 2012

NASKA Championnats du Monde
NASKA championnes Canada-Couronné

BRIAN BRUNELLE presents the 2012 SOUTHERN ONTARIO OPEN

Download the flyer in PDF format: http://tinyurl.com/2012southernontarioopen

CRAIG RIDOUT and TRESSA YOUNG present the 2012 BARRIE BUSHIDO OPEN

Download the entire flyer here in PDF format: http://tinyurl.com/2012barriebushido

RON and DIANE CAIN present the 2012 SMAC INTERNATIONALS (NBL Can-Am National)

Download the entire flyer in PDF format here: http://tinyurl.com/2012smacinternationals

CANADIAN MONEY ACCEPTED AT PAR FOR CANADIAN COMPETITORS (proof required!!!)

Eric Vidricaire presents the 2012 CHALLENGE RIVE NORD (Montreal area)

Download the flyer in PDF format here: http://tinyurl.com/2012challengerivenord

ARMIE RIZZO presents the 36TH ONTARIO PROVINCIAL OPEN MARTIAL ARTS CHAMPIONSHIPS

Download the flyer here in PDF format: http://tinyurl.com/2012ontarioprovincial

2012 Classique Sport Action NASKA "AAA" (Montreal area)

2011 WKC CANADA TEAM WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP VIDEO by ARIANA MIHAN

Special thanks to ARIANA MIHAN for creating and uploading this wonderful video!!!

"WHERE ARE THEY NOW?" - MEGAN MACKENZIE

Since its inception, Canada Sport Karate Media has showcased and highlighted competitors who are currently contributing to the growth, development and exposure of our Sport.  This segment, CSKM will mark the debut of “Where Are They Now?” – a periodic feature which will highlight the achievements and talents of individuals who are no longer competing but whose contribution to our Sport cannot be left unnoticed.  At various tournaments, a common question asked is, “Where is ________________________?” and too often, such question is left unanswered or in the worst case scenario, details of a person’s whereabouts are based on false information, heresay and conjecture.  The purpose of such a segment is not only to showcase a past competitor’s accomplishments but also give insight in terms what the person is currently doing, whether it involves Karate or not.

Our first “Where Are They Now?” spotlight is on a young lady who graced the Sport Karate stages at an early age yet captured the hearts and admiration of onlookers from all ages.  Currently 19 years old, Megan Mackenzie was a phenom by the time she was the age of 7 – garnering the attention of spectators and competitors with her showstopping performance.  Megan’s charisma combined with her showmanship and theatrical presentations were a product of her solid foundation and endless creativity.  Although she has many Grand Championship and World Title victories, Megan has the distinction of being the only Canadian Junior to win the coveted AKA Warrior Cup.  Coincidentally (but not surprisingly), the only other Warrior Cup going to a Canadian is none other than Michael Bernardo – her instructor and mentor since she was only 5 years old.

Megan departed from the Sport only a short time ago to pursue interests outside of Sport Karate.  Her impact, however, still lingers in the hearts and imagination of many young ladies who compete today – many of them aspiring to be like her as they grow as a competitor.  Because of this, CSKM presents to you Megan Mackenzie.

Photo credit: http://www.meganmackenzie.com

Where are you from? Where do you currently reside?

I am from London, Ontario and I am currently living in Waterloo while I complete my undergraduate degree.

What dojos/clubs did you belong to when you were active in Sport Karate? Who were your instructors?

I have been a student of Bernardo Karate since I started martial arts when I was five. I have had many instructors over the years, most notably Michael Bernardo, Dennis McFadden, John Sharkey and Mike Chatarantabut.

What teams did you represent during your sport Karate career (include coaches)?

I proudly represented Team Revolution/XMA Performance Team under the guidance of Mike Chatarantabut while competing on the NASKA circuit. I also had the privilege of representing Team Canada at 5 WKA world championships, coached by Michael Bernardo.

What was the highest Martial Arts rank you achieved?

I have achieved the rank of third degree black belt (sandan).

List your major accomplishments in Sport Karate (ie. memorable 1st Place wins, Grand Championships, etc.)/What titles (and if possible what years) did you win during your Sport Karate career?

• 2005 Warrior Cup Junior Weapons Grand Champion

• Three Time WSKF World Weapons Champion

• Ten Time WKA World Weapons and Forms Champion

• Multi-Time Canadian Weapons and Forms Champion

• London Sports Celebrity Athletic Excellence Award 2002 and 2005

• 2005 Sportmartialarts.com young female weapons competitor of the year

• 2006 ISKA World Weapons Champion

• 2006 NASKA World Weapons Champion

• 2006 Sportmartialarts.com #1 ranked overall youth weapons competitor

• Two time gold medalist and overall weapons grand champion at the World Martial Arts Games in Victoria, BC

What is your current occupation/profession?

I am currently a second year student at Wilfrid Laurier University. I am pursuing a double degree in business and psychology.

Do you still follow Sport Karate tournaments (ie. Do you still visit Karate tournaments, follow online news, etc.)?

I follow the sport selectively. I have visited a few local tournaments and I occasionally follow online news. I mostly follow some of my friends who are still competing as well as students I have taught.

Based on your experience as a Sport Karate competitor, what words of advice would you give current competitors who aspire to be champions such as yourself?

There are so many things I could say here! First and foremost, I encourage competitors to focus on basics. I feel like as time goes on there is less and less focus on basics which is unfortunate because they are the foundation of martial arts and are, in my opinion, one of the key factors that make a competitor a champion. I also encourage competitors to focus on their energy, confidence and presence in a performance. I believe a kata should be dynamic. I’ve always been told it’s not just the moves themselves but also the space in between them. A competitor must have a certain energy. They have to draw the audience in and command attention. Think of it this way: the two minutes or so you have in the ring are all yours; make the most of them. Perhaps the most important piece of advice I can offer is this: a competitor should stay humble at all times, no matter what they achieve and should strive to be a well-rounded person.

Any additional information/comments you would like people to know?

After retiring from active competition, I realized the full impact of the lessons I learned through martial arts. I'm not talking about the techniques themselves, but the life skills I learned along the way. The discipline, confidence and work ethic I have gained over the years continue to assist me in all of my pursuits--horseback riding, my education, work, figure skating, etc. Now that I have had the opportunity to step back from martial arts and grow as a person, I truly appreciate everything my career has given me.

SPOTLIGHT COMPETITOR – SEBASTIAN COUTURE

SPOTLIGHT COMPETITOR – SEBASTIAN COUTURE

Photo credit: Jeff Lidstone

In any athletic endeavour, especially one that is competitive in nature, there are only two results which really matter – winning and losing.  However, for any of those two outcomes, it’s how an individual competitor carries oneself from that result that outlines the person’s character, level of sportsmanship and desire to improve.  Too often do we see a competitor’s ego prevail and blame any negative outcomes on external factors such as poor judgement calls, cheating by the other player and other mitigating factors which reflect one’s own inability to learn from their mistakes or weaknesses.  We commonly refer to this phenomenon as the “poor loser”.  Similarly, the notion of the “poor winner” also exists where the ego emerges from beneath the surface and the instant gratification nature of the ego makes the individual involve themselves in pompous displays of self-proclaimed greatness and closes their eyes and mind to self-evaluation.  Once in this state, what one fails to internalize is that victory is not a constant – at any time, one can lose.  Question is... what must one do to be a gracious loser? And of equal importance, what must one do to be a gracious winner? 

Even at a tender age of 12 years, Ottawa’s Sebastian Couture answered this relatively complex question with such simplistic terms. “Don't quit when times get hard! You can’t always win, so when you lose, keep standing tall and come harder next time.”  If one reads into this, there is one word which describes Sebastian – tenacious.  His “never give up” attitude and his ability to use his victories, losses, strengths and weaknesses to improve his skill is a testament to his hard work ethic - finding ways to rise above his competition.  When faced with challenges, especially when things look relatively bleak, Sebastian is one to have the eye of the tiger and face his opponent with ferocity.  His semi-final match against an American competitor at the 2010 WKC Worlds in Portugal is an example of the fury he can unleash when winning seems out of reach.  Towards the end of the match, Sebastian was at a 6 point deficit and obtaining a victory was seemingly impossible.  However, in the final 30 seconds, Sebastian came out with a vengeance and made a triumphant comeback to gain himself the win.  Not only did he win the match but he also won the respect of his opponent and his peers. 

Sebastian’s in-ring savvy should be no surprise to any Sport Karate fanatic.  Following in the footsteps of such World Champions as the Aversa Brothers and his mentor, Robbie Lavoie, Sebastian is a product of Douvris Martial Arts – a dojo which boasts Canada’s largest stable of heavy hitters.  Initially, his parents Martina and Jean wanted Sebastian to play soccer but the young Sebastian wanted to use his kicks elsewhere.  Sebastian got his start in the Martial Arts in 2004 at the Douvris Martial Arts studio in Kemptville under the direction of Sensei Earl Horvath.  Sebastian now trains at the Bank St. studio under Masters John and Peter Douvris and works out alongside World Champion Robbie Lavoie – a person who he has a great deal of admiration for.  Enamoured by Lavoie’s skill, Sebastian sought out Lavoie’s coaching expertise during his fights at the most recent WKC Worlds in Spain – earning himself a Gold Medal in Point Sparring and Silver Medal in Continuous.  However, Sebastian’s excellence does not stop in the fighting ring as he is also an accomplished Forms and Weapons competitor.  At the 2011 WKC Worlds, Sebastian garnered himself a Gold Medal in Creative Weapons and Silver Medals in Traditional Weapons and Forms. 

Sebastian’s path to victory isn’t without its obstacles as he is grouped in a 12 and Under age bracket full of the finest talent Canada has to offer.  Thunder Bay’s Raven Wheesk, one of Sebastian’s WKC Canada teammates, is listed as one of Sebastian toughest Forms opponents – narrowly edging Sebastian in Traditional Forms at the 2011 Worlds and most recently at the Toronto Tournament of Champions Forms Grands.  Justin Liu, another pupil from the Douvris stable, is another peer competitor who Sebastian has the highest regard for and one who Sebastian also lists as a formidable Forms and Weapons competitor.  It’s a see-saw battle between the two when it comes to claiming victories – when one wins Forms, the other wins Weapons and vice-versa.  It is this type of comraderie and friendly feuding which keeps the competitive spirits amongst these young gentlemen alive.  For fighting, Sebastian’s field of competitors in the 12 and Under group is like facing a Douvris army which includes Liu and another talented competitor, Kayvon Mihan.  However, Sebastian lists Belgium’s Robin Bruynseels as his toughest adversary in the ring. 

When Sebastian conquers his obstacles, he always finds different ways to challenge himself to keep his guard up (both literally and figuratively).  With Sebastian’s 13^th birthday soon approaching in the New Year, Sebastian most recently decided to “step up” and fight in the next age category up.  At Mike Palitti’s Toronto Tournament of Champions, Sebastian elevated his competitive game by entering the 13 – 14 division - where most of the competitors had a size advantage over him.  But leave it to Sebastian to jump that hurdle as he managed to place a respectable 2^nd, being narrowly edged by already 13 year old Blake Fewster of London, Ontario.

The release of this Spotlight Profile couldn’t have come at a more appropriate time for this youngster.  Just one day prior to this article being written, it was announced that Sebastian, along with friend Justin Liu, were recently recruited onto Jason Chen’s USA Allstars World Team.  Sebastian is definitely in good company as the stable has a list of the World’s best point fighters including Sebastian’s mentor and idol Robbie Lavoie, Raymond Daniels (another fighter Sebastian admires), Jason Bourrelly, Jack Felton and Chris Walker. 

Pictured: Sebastian with his idol, Robbie Lavoie

Photo credit: Sebastian Couture (via Facebook)

So what is in store for Sebastian’s future in the sport?  With Sebastian now on the Allstars, this will provide the youngster with many opportunities to compete on circuits such as the NASKA World Tour and top notch International events such as the Irish Open – something that Sebastian and his family are definitely excited about.  The exposure and experience Sebastian will entail in the upcoming year will definitely be insurmountable, providing him with the necessary challenges and competition to make him grow as a mature competitor.  In addition, by moving into the 13 – 17 category, Sebastian will be facing a new set of competitors which include fellow Douvris alumni, Jack Oliviero – another fighter that Sebastian has alot of respect for.  Currently, Sebastian is a mentor himself and is part of the Gold Leadership Program at Douvris Martial Arts.  It is here where Sebastian demonstrates his guidance by teaching the fundamentals of Karate and displaying the arduous work ethic it requires to be a Champion competitor.  His commanding leadership definitely has rubbed off on many youngsters – especially his younger brother, Niko.  Although Niko doesn’t compete as much as Sebastian, he definitely displays similar technical attributes as his older brother.  In fact, Niko made the trek down to the Toronto Tournament and blitzed his way to a 1^st Place win in Sparring.  Their parents Jean and Martina are very jubilant when expressing their pride in their sons and notes that they are following in the footsteps of their idol – Robbie Lavoie.  Outside of Karate, Sebastian extends his disciplined nature as he plans to maintain an “A” average.  Being skilled with the bo, Sebastian transfers his ambidexterity to music and it’s no surprise to anyone when they find out that he is a virtuoso with the drums!  Although Sebastian has not mentioned anything about a career, his diversified portfolio of skills will definitely land him a successful career – whatever path he decides to choose.  And with a supportive family structure, everything is possible for this young man. 

Speaking of family, one definitely has to mention Sebastian’s parents, Jean and Martina, as they are permanent fixtures when it comes to parental figures in Canadian Sport Karate.  In fact, it’s commonplace for either one to be actively involved in their kids’ ring – whether as a scorekeeper or simply a cheerleader.  “Kids don’t quit Karate – Parents do” is a moniker that is heard way too often.  However, for the Coutures, this is simply not the case.  It is such enthusiasm and parental involvement which keeps Sebastian at the peak of his interest in the sport and for this, Sebastian expresses his sincerest admiration. 

The Couture Family would like to extend their warmest gratitude to the entire Douvris Martial Arts community.  With master instructors such as Senseis John and Peter, Sensei Kelsey Friedlander and Sensei Jeremie Harris in addition to expert coaching by Sensei Robbie Lavoie, Sebastian’s accolades could not have been reached without their unduly support, time and effort.  It is this type of dedication from an interconnected group of people that Sebastian and his family are forever appreciative of. Although some say the sky’s the limit, Sebastian is shooting past the stars and the future is shining bright for him.

From this author’s personal level, Sebastian is always one to seek improvement, even when he is victorious – something that this author rarely sees in this sport amongst Youth competitors.  Although I know he appreciates praise, he is always open to constructive feedback and internalizes the advice which is passed down to him.  Always open to suggestion, his ability to absorb, reflect and ameliorate his skill is a testament that he is not one to rest on his laurels but he is an active learner who is constantly seeking to grow.  Not only is he humble with his wins, he’s also gracious with his losses and is one to learn from shortcomings – a trait which all Champions should encompass.  Although only 12 years old with a long career in Sport Karate ahead of him, he demonstrates the sportsmanlike conduct of a mature adult.  This is why he is CSKM’s Spotlight Competitor.

SPOTLIGHT COMPETITOR – EMILY MUSSIO

SPOTLIGHT COMPETITOR – EMILY MUSSIO

Photo credit: Cathy Mussio

In the world of Sport Karate, just like any sport, there are champions and there are Champions.  A ‘champion’ is one who often coins themselves as such and may have achieved such status taking the easy way out – whether it be competing in tournaments or divisions with no competition or simply not seeking the challenges to make themselves better competitors or Martial Artists.  Too often, these are the same individuals who do alot of bragging but have no means to back it up.  However, the term ‘Champion’ has much deeper meaning despite the fact that on the surface of the word itself, one can only see that the difference is the uppercase ‘C’.  This segment’s Spotlight Competitor will not only highlight this competitor’s achievements but will perhaps shed some light into what constitutes a ‘Champion’.  This segment’s Spotlight Competitor not only pushes herself to greater heights, but does so in a very humble manner – a virtue that is only exemplified by a Champion.

Following the words spoken by her peer mentor and World Champion Tressa Young: “Courage is not doing what is familiar, it is pushing ahead even though there is a chance of disappointment”.  Even at such a young age, 12 year old Emily Mussio is no stranger to facing challenges and taking risks – acknowledging that victory might be a laborious task but the end result is a gratifying sense of accomplishment.  Up until recently, Emily’s competitive career revolved heavily in the Under Black Belt divisions.  Seeking the necessary challenges to elevate her skill level, Emily sought the multiple challenges that the WKC (World Karate Council) had to offer – allowing her as an Under Black Belt to compete against the much more experienced Junior Black Belts.  Pushing herself even further from a physical standpoint, Emily concentrated her efforts into the more physically demanding areas of Creative and Extreme Forms and Weapons.  With a background stemming from competitive gymnastics and (acro) dance, Emily was able to use her creative wit, flexibility and fluid movement to choreograph and execute pumped up routines which always garner the attention of the spectators.  If one were to personify an inanimate object, one could describe Emily as a tiny stick of dynamite or according to WKC judge John Palitti, a “firecracker” – once ignited, she instantaneously explodes.  In fact, it is her intensity and ability to electrify the crowd with her enthusiasm which capture the attention of the more veteran competitors and judges. 

Emily’s arduous efforts definitely have paid off as her talents have earned her numerous notable victories in her short, yet action-packed career.  Of those victories, Emily’s first WKC Worlds in Portugal in 2010 was marked with exemplary success as she captured 2 Bronze medals and 1 Silver medal.  However, it was 2011 which served as a ground breaking year for the tiny dynamo.  At this year’s Nationals, Emily handily captured 3 Gold and 2 Silver medals.  She then kept her motor running and continued her winning streak with an unprecedented 4 Gold and 2 Silver medals at the WKC Worlds in Spain – making herself Team Canada’s Top 12 and Under competitor with the most Gold Medals and 2^nd ‘most winningest’ Junior, just behind Tressa Young.  And she is definitely in good company as Emily lists Tressa as one of her favourite competitors and aspires to be like her one day.  However, despite Emily’s numerous accolades at the Provincial, National and World level, her recollection of her first 1^st Place trophy as a mere white belt serves as her most memorable victory to date.  Not only was this the most memorable, but she also acknowledges that such humble beginnings served as being monumental to her tournament career as this was the ‘bug’ that got her to where she is today.  

With Sport Karate being a combative sport, it is usually not an activity which tops the list of many young ladies and for Emily, this was no different.  Having a very keen interest in sports in general, Emily began her athletic ventures in activities which are typical for young ladies such as dance and competitive gymnastics.  However, the amount of time and driving to pursue a career in gymnastics was just a little bit too rigorous for her parents so they started looking at other options.  One day after school with no questions asked, Emily’s mother Cathy, picked her up from school and drove her to a nearby dojo in Grand Bend and from there, as most would say, was history.  Not only did she like it, she loved it!  Since this time in 2007, Emily has been a diligent Karate student at the Grand Bend Karate Club (a franchise of Bernardo Karate) under the direction of head instructor Sensei John Dehondt and senior instructors Sensei Julia Campbell and Sensei Dan Coughlan.  In addition, Emily also makes the trek at least twice a week to train at the head Bernardo Karate dojo (Oxford location) in London to train with Shihan Mike Bernardo himself.  It is this type of dedication which separates herself from other 12 year old girls and even at such a young age, she is already setting an example that others should follow.  Aside from Karate, Emily plays ringette during the winter season – often an off season for Karate.  In addition, she continues to be involved in competitive acro dance – something that in the long run will be beneficial as such creative arts allow her to maintain an innovative mind set and at the same time, exercise her ability to be gracious in her movements. 

Besides looking up to competitors such as Tressa Young, it should come to no surprise that one of her favourite competitors and admired Martial Artists are also Bernardo Karate alumni.  On the list of Emily’s favourite competitors is Megan Mackenzie.  For those not familiar with Megan, she made waves on the NASKA World Tour in the early 2000s when she was Emily’s age and garnered herself many World Championships.  Although no longer actively competing, Emily describes Megan’s skill with the bo and commanding showmanship as her primary motivation to compete in Weapons with the bo.  For fighting, Emily lists Tammy Bernardo as one of her favourites and feels very honoured and privileged that she coached her at this year’s WKC Worlds.  “She makes fighting look easy!” is how Emily describes Bernardo’s in ring prowess and Emily is quick to acknowledge that she respects her talent and her accomplishments.  Her most admired Martial Artist is none other than Shihan Mike Bernardo.  When asked to describe what she admires most about Mike Bernardo, she notes that he teaches and provides direction in a non-condescending fashion.  For Emily, his ability to accentuate a student’s strengths and critique areas of improvement are integral factors which allow one to progress to be better competitors but most importantly, excellent Martial Artists.  Emily is definitely enamoured by the number of supporting individuals and inspirational forces she has surrounding her and credits all of them for her successes.

Having competed in a talent-laden 12 and Under group, Emily lists those hailing from Montreal’s Karate Sunfuki as her toughest opponents in Forms and Weapons.  Talented young ladies such as Stephanie Kovacs, Lawrence Venne and Stephany Mercier all field formidable competition and keep Emily on her toes to constantly come up with something innovative.  On the fighting side, Emily mentions Makayla Dennome from North Bay as her toughest sparring opponent.  In the past, they have had several see-saw battles and whether she wins or loses, the competition is so close that the point difference is only marginal.  As Emily leaves old challenges, she’s goes on another quest to seek new ones.  In 2012, she will be entering the 13 to 17 division and will be facing new talents and faces, including someone she looks up to – Tressa Young.  Being one of the youngest competitors in the age bracket next year, Emily understands the challenges it might have competing against young women who may have more experience and physical strength than herself.  But knowing Emily, adversity is her oyster and she will find a way to overcome these obstacles and come out on top.  If anything, her competitions next year will be positive learning experiences which will aspire her to continue her dedicated training regimen and serve as stepping stones for her to achieve greater heights as she matures as a competitor.

Outside of the competition arena of Martial Arts, Emily lists earning her Black Belt as her most significant achievement.  Earning her Black Belt just days before the WKC Worlds, for Emily, the Black Belt is a symbol of the culminating efforts of devoted study and timeless training.  “Ever since you start Karate, that is what you are working toward”, describes Emily.  It is commonplace for girls her age to earn (or receive) a Black Belt and stop Martial Arts but Emily understands that the Black Belt is not the end but a beginning.  With this mindset, Emily is already doing her personal groundwork to improve her Extreme Forms and also notes that she will be adding new divisions to her repertoire.  Despite the fact that she just received her 1^st Degree Black Belt, she’s already thinking ahead and is getting herself ready for her 2^nd Degree. 

Emily’s ambition and goal to be a good example to younger students and competitors is evident.  Her humility, combined with her excellent sportsmanship are definitely commendable traits of a Champion competitor.  Her desire to be an exemplary individual extends beyond the competition floor as she has hopes to perform humanitarian acts of kindness by volunteering and performing community service in Third World countries – helping those who are less fortunate than herself.  Like other responsible young ladies, Emily wants to maintain a high academic standing and would like this to carry through high school.  Already being a part cohesive group of people who are supportive of all of her endeavours, Emily wants to meet more like-minded individuals – those who think of others before themselves. 

Overall, the Martial Arts have been a holistic learning experience for Emily.  Not only has she developed an extensive skill set which have earned her numerous titles, she has also developed characteristics which both kids and adults should embrace into their own lives.  Her parents, Paul and Cathy, would like people to know that Emily loves Karate and being involved in it has made her a confident individual – in and outside of the dojo.  From the author’s perspective and personal observations, Emily’s confidence emanates with her commanding presence in the ring and her lady-like composure outside of the ring.  In fact, one can’t help notice that her poise and spoken words display maturity beyond her 12 years – something that one can attain from the discipline Martial Arts provides.  Most importantly, however, the Mussio’s point out that everyone from Grand Bend Karate and the Oxford Bernardo Karate dojo have been a second family – providing Emily with the support and encouragement to persevere and succeed in every aspect of her Martial Arts journey and competitive career.  The Mussio’s would like to extend their thanks and feel eternally blessed to be around such great individuals and for this they express their sincerest gratitude.

Megan Mackenzie’s encouraging words of “Shoot for the moon” are forever ingrained in Emily’s mind as she uses these words as her foundation to persevere and reach for her goals – regardless of how hard it might be to achieve them.  Her accomplishments, consistent effort to overcome challenges along with her humility and maturity are what makes Emily a true Champion and Canada Sport Karate Media’s Spotlight Competitor.