Wednesday, August 11, 2004

Karate kids like to compete

Goju Ryu students are amoung nation's best

T.S. Last News-Bulletin Sports Editor; tlast@news-bulletin.com

Belen Training in the martial arts can be what you want it to be.

There are those who learn karate simply as a form of self-defense. Others take up the martial arts to exercise their bodies and mind and bring greater balance to their lives. And there are others who may do it for those reasons, but also because they like the thrill of competition.

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"If you're going to compete, it makes you want to work harder," said Cindy Long, who owns and operates Belen Goju Ryu Karate School along with her husband Richard and has competed at the international level. "If you're going to compete, you find yourself really having to practice more and spend more time training."

Several of the Longs' young students have made that commitment and were among the top competitors at United States Karate Alliance events this year. By placing at USKA tournaments throughout the year, they garnered enough points to earn them high national rankings.

Belen Goju Ryu even produced one national champion. Thirteen-year-old Victoria Morgan ranked first in the 12-13 advanced division for boys and girls kata. She also placed second in kumite and fifth in weapons.

But Morgan wasn't always the competitor she is today.

"When she started, she cried during every class," Cindy Long said. "Then, we'd go to tournaments, and she cried. But here she is now — first in the nation."

"Now, I'm not the one that cries. I make them cry," said Morgan, a black belt from Los Lunas who started her martial arts training before she was in kindergarten.

Morgan is now one of the most decorated Belen Goju Ryu students, having compiled a truckload of trophies over the years.

"The last time I counted there were 130, and that was sometime last year," she said. But none are nicer than the gold cup which has "National Champion" engraved under her name.

Morgan said she competes for fun, but that's not the only reason she trains. "It's nice to know that if someone attacks you on the street that you'll be able to protect yourself," she said.

The martial arts teach self-defense and more, say the students.

"It helps me in everything," said Amanda Garcia, a 19-year-old black belt who ranked in the top eight in women's kata, kumite and weapons. "It helps me stay focused in school and at work."

Garcia was one of two students who represented Belen Goju Ryu at the world championships in New Orleans last month. There, she placed third in weapons and shared first-place in team fighting.

Caitlyn Lucero also attended the world championships. The 12-year-old green belt from Los Chavez finished fourth in her division in both kata and fighting.

Lucero especially likes competing in the events that involve contact. "Sparring is probably my favorite because you get to hit other people," she said.

Justin Beyerl has tried many sports in his 15 years. He plays football, soccer, tennis and participates in track and field, in addition to karate training.

"I enjoy martial arts the most," said Beyerl, who ranked sixth in boys 14-15 intermediate kumite and eighth in kata. "I like the physical part and the intensity."

Beyerl added that his three years of training have made him more disciplined. "It taught me not to want to miss practice," he said.

Others, like Courtney Gular, said her years of training have increased her confidence.

The self-assured 13-year-old, who ranked third in 12-13 advanced girls kumite, already wears a black belt around her waist. The high-achiever is also a member of advanced band and Sea Cadets.

All the competitors are committed to their martial arts training.

Garcia said she's been training most of her life and doesn't foresee ever stopping. "It's definitely a lifetime thing," she said. "I have so much to learn. Even though I've been doing it for so long, I feel I'm barely beginning."

Cindy Long, who has been training for 20 years and was recently promoted to fifth degree black belt, said there's no end to what can be learned through martial arts.

"The more you learn, the more you realize how much there is to learn," she said. "That's the beauty of it. It never gets boring."

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