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Inspirational Martial Arts Stories from 2006

Earlier tales of true fighters, winners and survivors!

Here are some of the many inspirational martial arts stories from 2006 - past stories speaking of human greatness, spirit, dignity, humbleness, victory, trust, fullfilment, honesty, achievement, vision, loyalty, truth, spirituality and sharing. All the things that true, or deeper levels of martial arts is all about.

Side note: Before you read on, make sure you have a serious look at all the free stuff inside 'The Martial Arts Vault'!

If you don find what you're looking for amongst these inspirational martial arts stories from 2006, you might want to have a look at the year of 2005 (which also includes earlier years, spanning back to 2003).

Since I am 100% confident that there are an abundance of such stories out there, we're always open for more! If you happen to know about someone or something that you feel more people should know about - please don't hesitate, we'd love to add your inspirational martial arts stories from 2006 (and of course newer or older still)!

Here are the 2006 stories, news and reports about people and events that have amased, moved and inspired me as well as many others.

Karate Helps Reading Girl:

From: http://wfmz.com/view/?id=42313
(December 29, 2006):

She's looks sweet, but this Reading teen packs a punch. 14-year-old Marilyn Sanchez has been taking classes at the American Martial Arts Studio in Reading since October.

Marilyn has Cerebal Palsy, but her instructors say it doesn't hold her back.

"She started standing out right away in the beginning; advancing at a rather quick rate."

Read the rest here (pdf document). Open in new window here.

Karate spirit - Dojo recognizes two with Down syndrome:

From: http://www.sungazette.com/news/articles.asp?articleID=13109
(December 29 , 2006):

“Anyone and everyone can achieve their goals once they’re dedicated and committed, regardless of obstacles.”

With those words, karate instructor Anthony Dew, a 10th degree international grand master, on Wednesday recognized five athletes for their hard work under his training in martial arts.

Missy Brower, 27, of Cogan Station and Roger Turner, 32, of Nisbet, who both have Down syndrome, were praised by Dew for their commitment as they received self defense certificates and demonstrated the skills they have acquired on the path to obtaining the coveted prize of black belt themselves.

Read the rest here (pdf document). Open in new window here.

Blackbelt Ethan is an inspiration:

From: http://www.stockportexpress.co.uk
(December 27, 2006):

UK -- Teenage black belt Ethan Ward should be an inspiration to all parents with autistic children - according to his karate instructor.

The 15-year-old, who has Asperger Syndrome, successfully completed his black belt grading in Karate last week.

And his sensei John Robertson has been so impressed with the Ethan’s determination to succeed that he recently awarded the Bridgehall teenager the club's Outstanding Achievement Award.

Read the rest here (pdf document). Open in new window here.

With pride and honor:

From: http://www.journal-news.net/Living/articles.asp?articleID=5672
(December 16, 2006):

Jane Couser's son, Ryan, 20, had been involved with Special Olympics for years. And although he had enjoyed playing basketball, volleyball and track, he had fallen into a routine. "He was just really getting tired of it," she says.

Couser then thought of Master Timothy Clyde of Clyde's Karate in Inwood. She had taken a women's self-defense class with Clyde and wondered if Soo Bahk Do, a traditional Korean martial art, could help her son.

"I said, 'I want to know if you could teach my son karate,'" she says watching as Ryan and two other students work with Clyde in the room next door. "He said, 'Sure, bring him in.'"

Today, Ryan is one of five active students with a physician diagnosed physical or mental disability who take classes at Clyde's Karate. The main objective is to work with each student so he or she can be included in Clyde's mainstream karate classes, depending on each student's abilities.

Read the rest here (pdf document). Open in new window here.

Student doesn't allow blindness to keep her from trying new things:

From: http://www.heraldonline.com/109/story/10165.html
(December 11, 2006):

Nancy VanderBrink wanted to join Winthrop University's Chinese Martial Arts Club but knew her parents wouldn't approve.

VanderBrink has retina problems as a result of being born three months premature. Cataracts complicated the matter. She already is legally blind and if she were to receive a hit in the head, she might go completely blind. Parents worry about things like that.

The martial arts club has never had a member with a disability before. While contemplating the idea, revelation struck VanderBrink. "My logic is I'm going to lose (my vision) anyway," she said. "I might as well enjoy it while I got it."

She signed up.

Read the rest here (pdf document). Open in new window here.

Visakhapatnam teenaged girl practices Karate with one hand!:

From: http://www.dailyindia.com
(December 7, 2006):

Visakhapatnam, India -- Watching the 12-year-old Nadipalli Akshita practice various Karate steps with the ease of any national Champion is a sight that hardly anyone would like to give a miss. But for this single-handed teenaged girl, it's just another day of life devoted to martial arts.

Akshita, during the last six-year association with the awe-inspiring game, requiring an extremely tough practice routine, has vanquished hundreds of opponents in various bouts.

She has won her matches despite being a one-handed player.

Read the rest here (pdf document). Open in new window here.

Weimar girl says she'll walk on her own 'one day':

From: http://www.colfaxrecord.com
(November 1, 2006):

When Hope Adrian was first diagnosed with spastic deplegia (stiff legs) Cerebral Palsy, she was too young to understand her condition.The complications caused damage to Hope's brain when she was born and resulted in the neurological disorder, which she knows all too well today.

"I am able to keep my balance when I walk, the only difference is that I am not able to stop quickly - I have to grab onto something," Hope said. "I can get up on my own too, it just takes a little more effort for me."

Though she doesn't have complete control of her legs, Hope doesn't let it slow her down too much.She is active during recess at school and participates in soccer, karate, gymnastics and Girl Scouts.

Read the rest here (pdf document). Open in new window here.

Challenge of black belt:

From: signonsandiego.com/news/metro/20061028-9999-7m28tae.html
(October 28, 2006):

After tae kwon do master Anthony Hong met his newest pupil, he was up all night, trying to figure out how he would teach the boy.

The Korean martial art is known for its high and fast kicks. But Hong's student, Colin Waltari, couldn't kick. Tae kwon do fighters use their arms to block and punch. But Colin's arms were busy holding onto his crutches.

Hong had taught a blind man before, but never someone with the physical challenges that Colin had with cerebral palsy. Hong knew he'd have to be creative.

Read the rest here (pdf document). Open in new window here.

99 year old champions tai chi:

From: http://wusa9.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=52865
(October 16, 2006):

Kathryn Thames, one of the most faithful students, is 99 years old.

All the students are between the ages of 69 and 99, but they say if you just bring them their Tai Chi, they'll be happy.

Kathryn Thames she says she is not done yet, not by a long shot.

"I believe I was put here for some reason and I've been here 99 years so there must be some reason I'm still here. So I keep working at it to see what that is," said Thames.

Read the rest here (pdf document). Open in new window here.

Love and praise at United Cerebral Palsy breakfast:

From: http://www.hudsonreporter.com
(October 8, 2006):

Even though the 30-year-old Bayonne resident is confined to a wheelchair, he participates in an activity he always wanted to do, namely studying karate.

"I was a big Bruce Lee fan as a kid and I always wanted to do karate since I was a little boy," Burns said. "I've been going to UCP [United Cerebral Palsy center, located on Kennedy Boulevard in North Bergen] for 26 years now. I asked UCP if they could help me out, see if there was someone who could teach me karate."

Last year, Burns was introduced to Sensei David Tirelli of the Tiger Schulman Karate School in Hackensack.

Last Wednesday morning, Burns, who has been given the name of "Killer Closkey" by Tirelli, got to display some of the techniques he has learned over the past year.

Read the rest here (pdf document). Open in new window here.

He learns confidence through martial arts:

From: http://www.tribstar.com/local/local_story_272153447.html
(September 29, 2006):

Jimmy Hudson was a quiet, reserved boy who spent the past two years being bullied and picked on by classmates.

Now, the confident 9-year-old stands up for himself and looks forward to going to school every day.

Hudson began to change while taking summer classes in tae kwon do, a self-defense system similar to karate.

“He’s more likable, he speaks up, he expresses himself,” Cheryl Hudson said about her son.

Read the rest here (pdf document). Open in new window here.

Not a doubt that this boy embodies karate spirit:

From: http://dailynews.com/ci_4351020
(September 16, 2006):

Fear and doubt never had a chance. Not from the minute Sam Flores laid eyes on 8-year-old Cole Massie wrapping both arms around a handrail at the Glendale YMCA and inching his way up the last 16 steps to make it to his karate class on time.

Those steps were supposed to be Flores' way out of this dilemma - the fear and doubt he was feeling.

The fifth-degree black belt sensei - a master karate teacher - feared no man. But he had come to fear this little boy with cerebral palsy who wanted so badly to learn karate.

For hours, Cole would sit in his wheelchair in his room watching pirate movies on TV and practicing karate moves to help the good guys win, says his mother, Michelle Massie. For his 9th birthday, he wanted only one thing, he told her. Real karate lessons.

Read the rest here (pdf document). Open in new window here.

A teen who sees with sounds:

From: cbsnews.com/stories/2006/09/06/eveningnews/main1977730.shtml
(September 6, 2006):

14-year-old Ben Underwood from Sacramento, California is a freshman like all the rest — well not exactly like all the rest. In his first week at school, a lot of people at the school haven't guessed that Ben has a secret.

You probably couldn't figure it out watching him in combat at karate class … or hitting his mark in a pillow fight … or zipping down the street on his roller blades. But in class, you'll notice that Ben takes his notes in Braille. He says he lost his sight two weeks before his third birthday.

Ben had cancer in both eyes. But he discovered a way to beat his blindness. When he was about 6, he started "clicking," and quickly realized that the sound he made with his tongue bounced off things around him, giving him an idea what was there.

Read the rest here (pdf document). Open in new window here.

Bullied no more:

From: http://www.miami.com
(September 3, 2006):

Ever since he started school, Mark Hunt pretty much knew what he could expect each day. There was the routine of class work, lunch and recess. But Mark, now an eighth-grader, knew most days also would include something much more sinister: relentless bullying at the hands of his classmates.

To help him learn how to defend himself, his parents enrolled him in group tae kwon do classes in Weston. Mark immediately took to the program's discipline and camaraderie.

While the initial goal was to teach him how to hit back, Mark and his family soon discovered that martial arts training espouses the opposite approach.

''Tae kwon do taught me not to act on my first impulse, which is to fight back, but instead to think things through and do what's right,'' he said.

Last year, after seven years of hard work, Mark was awarded the coveted black belt, the 10th-highest level of skill. His new self-confidence and refusal to react to confrontations wore his tormentors down. Finally, he could enjoy going to school.

Read the rest here (pdf document). Open in new window here.

Seasoned black belt:

From: burbankleader.com/articles/2006/08/16/sports/blr-blackbelt16.txt
(August 16, 2006):

Was the longtime Burbank resident who retired seven years ago, a quitter? Truthfully, he didn't know. But he desperately wanted to prove he wasn't.It just so happened the very thing he was looking for was only a few blocks away from his home.

After everything he had tried, Steve Urbanovich, who will turn 73 in October, figured he would give martial arts a try. What could it hurt?

Taekwondo became his passion, and it was exactly what he was looking for. Seven years after taking up the sport, Urbanovich has worked his way up to a second-degree black belt.

Read the rest here (pdf document). Open in new window here.

Taekwondo puts kick in man's life:

From: torontosun.com/News/OtherNews/2006/08/13/1752005-sun.html
(August 11, 2006):

Phillip Sherman gets quite a kick out of taekwondo.

In fact, over the past 13 years of slow but steady training, Sherman, 32, has given, and tried to block, quite a few during regular practice sessions.

Defensive kicking is the mainstay of taekwondo, the martial art that retired teacher Julia Sherman chose for her son -- who has Down syndrome -- to help him develop strength, discipline, respect, pride and independence.

Read the rest here (pdf document). Open in new window here.

Coping with hemophilia:

From: news10now.com/content/top_stories/default.asp?ArID=75805
(August 11, 2006):

Bill Ryan has met a lot of impressive people in his role as a Syracuse common councilor, but when it comes to heroes, he looks no further than his own home and his son.

“Billy was born with severe factor 8 hemophilia, diagnosed days after birth. As a small child, he had to wear pads on his knees and elbows and a helmet because if he hit his head, there could be catastrophic consequences,” Bill Ryan said.

Advances in medicine helped. Billy could do more, and Bill and Jennifer Ryan allowed heir son to do just that.

Billy Ryan went on to be an athlete, even earning a second degree belt in karate. With an infusion three times a week of a factor that helps suppress his hemophilia, he has never limited his physical activity.

Read the rest here (pdf document). Open in new window here.

Wheelchair won't keep Rapid City man from making a difference:

From: http://www.zwire.com
(August 4, 2006):

Rapid City - Don Sitters was left paralyzed from the waist down at the age of 13, but despite the obstacles he has faced during his life he has always overcome them to achieve success.

He has been involved in martial arts for some 20 years and has won many awards and championships, but when he moved to Rapid City in 2004 it had been two years since he last practiced martial arts, and he was ready to pick it up once again.

Much to his excitement, he found out that Sanano Karate Club was just three minutes away from his home. Though he was a bit concerned that he might not be accepted due to his disability, he was overjoyed when he was welcomed and put through the paces just like any other student.

Read the rest here (pdf document). Open in new window here.

Black belt proves age is just a number:

From: http://www.venturacountystar.com
(July 31, 2006):

At 76, Ann Zacher didn't question her ability to break boards with her bare hands during her tae kwon do black belt test in February.

Nor did she question her ability to take up tae kwon do five years ago, at age 71. Or, for that matter, to singly raise three young children 40 years ago, after her divorce, on wages earned as a typist for the County of Ventura.

"I believe in positive thinking," Zacher said. "You can handle so much if you just realize how much strength we have, it's just the idea of always accepting you can do things."

Read the rest here (pdf document). Open in new window here.

Disability doesn't halt judo progress:

From: http://www.siouxcityjournal.com
(July 31, 2006):

At a judo class on Sioux City's north side, Darcie Boyok looks just like everyone else.

She does her warm-up stretches just like the other students. She's right there with her classmates when, in one quick movement, they drop from a standing position to roll onto their backs on the floor and then back up into a standing position.

Boyok even looks like the other students as she springs across the room doing a series of front-falling rolls. But now suddenly there is a difference.

Listening you hear a classmate on the other side of the room calling, "This way, Darcie. This way, Darcie."

The classmate is calling to Boyok because Boyok is blind.

Read the rest here (pdf document). Open in new window here.

Inspirational ... Angi defies the odds once again:

From: leedstoday.net/ViewArticle2.aspx?SectionID=39&ArticleID=1655928
(July 27, 2006):

Angi Marsden, 42, had to give up her dream of becoming a professional dancer when she discovered she had FSH Muscular Dystrophy, which causes weakening of the muscles, at the age of 18.

However, despite having to use a wheelchair or a walking stick to get around, she has managed to juggle a full-time job at Leeds Metropolitan University with being a mother of three, attending martial arts classes and becoming a green belt in karate.

Now Angi is set to take over as leader of the Swarcliffe branch of Slimming World, having joined five months ago and lost a stone.

Read the rest here (pdf document). Open in new window here.

Karate man defies odds:

From: http://www.senews.com.au/story/19955
(July 27, 2006):

Australia -- A Cranbourne man defied the odds to become a karate black belt after a devastating accident left him in a wheelchair.

Matt Charles will now take over the Seishin Dojo karate school in Cranbourne despite being told he would never walk unaided.

The 32-year-old was crushed by a concrete retaining wall at his workplace 10 years ago and three discs in his spine were squashed.

Read the rest here (pdf document). Open in new window here.

Getting his kicks:

From: http://www.independenttribune.com
(July 22, 2006):

Before you hear about the 70-year-old man who recently earned a black belt in karate, you should know this: John T. Harris, 70, is built like a linebacker.

But you should also know this: Four years ago, he couldn’t even bathe himself.

A fall from a tree at the end of 2000 left his back broken in two places and left Harris unable to care for himself. His body became covered in blood clots.

RRead the rest here (pdf document). Open in new window here.

Blind fighter teaches mixed martial arts:

From: http://www.wkyt.com/Global/story.asp?S=5184486
(July 22, 2006):

In an interview, nothing seems unusual about Jason Keaton. The 28-year-old mixed martial artist is 5-foot-11 and 190 pounds of mostly muscle on a wiry frame.

He has