Maple Grove Students to Compete at World Karate Championships
At Dojo Karate school in Maple Grove, the word of the day is discipline. It’s discipline that started at a young age.
“They started anywhere from when they were this age, 3 and 4 years old on up,” said John Morse, owner of Dojo Karate.
Here, the smallest of details are practiced over and over. When you ask the students what they learn from karate, you’ll hear a similar refrain.
“It gives you a better attitude, better discipline,” said 13-year-old Joseph Morrissette, who got into karate after trying baseball and soccer.
“Focus and discipline,” said eighth-grader Trevor Hubbard, who started training five years ago.
“I like it because it helps me learn discipline and respect,” said sixth-grader Trevor McGuire, who started at a young age.
“He won a karate lesson when he was 3 and a half when we took him. He was the goofiest kid out there. I still love watching that video of him,” said Shari McGuire, Trevor’s mom. “Over time, he just loved it and got more and more into it.”
Training Leads to World Championships
For these three Maple Grove Middle school students, those early years turned into something at first they never imagined, a chance to compete at the WKC World Championships in Ireland.
“You’re looking at the best competition in the world,” said Morse. “So to be able to go to one of these tournaments, and to take a first place that’s a pretty big deal.”
The students are excited. As for the parents…
“It will most definitely be more nerve-wracking for me,” said Stephanie Hubbard, Trevor Hubbard’s mom. “When he gets into the competition ring, he really focuses, relaxes and performs at his very best. It’s his mom whose heart is going 200 miles per hour.”
For these students, it’s a valuable experience that they will be able to look back on and provides valuable lessons for life later on.
“It’s a life experience just to go and compete,” said Morse.
The Maple Grove Middle School students leave for Ireland on Friday. Competition starts Monday.
