National Spotlight Helps Local Young Martial Artists

The 2011 USA Karate Nationals featured 150 kids from, Illinois and a few local kids as well.

Five local youths, Rachel Pelligino, Western Springs, 15, Katrina Sholeen, Western Springs, 19, Noah Reardon, La Grange, 12, Jonah Reardon, La Grange, 11 and Sarah Reardon, La Grange, 11, all competed in the event. 

John Reardon, father to Noah, Jonah and Sarah, has a lot to say about the event and the benefits of learning the martial arts.

"We were looking for a sports program that would challenge the kids and yet leave the weekends free for family time," he said of why they became involved in karate in the first place.

"We signed them up through the Park District when they were preschool age.  You can start at age 4 but our kids were a little older.  Since each child advances according to their own abilities, the level of challenge is really left up to the child."

He continued, "These competitions really provide a lot of incentive and challenge to become better.  We really saw their confidence and self esteem increase as a result."

The competition, which took place in Arlington Texas, is a structured test of skill at various levels.

"The ISKC local tournaments are broken into three levels of competition. Kihone (basics), Kata, and Kumite (sparring).  At the National Level, they drop Kihone competition, but add Weapons competition," explains Reardon.

Each competition is performed before a panel of three judges, except for the sparring. Each competitor is assigned a color at the start of the individual match and at the conclusion, the judge raises the color of the winner.

"The posters say you have fun, learn self defense, build confidence, discipline, coordination, agility and improve your physical fitness," said Reardon.

"It is a great sport that connects you to your body, strengthens your body and develops your spirit.  The three black stripes on the ISKC club patch stand for just that: 'Mind,' 'Body,' 'Spirit.' It is a sport that allows you to grow in your own way at your own pace.  The competitions are individual but the classes are social.  It offers benefits and challenges for every age."