CKA Instructor Finished 3^rd in World Championships!

CKA athlete and instructor, Jon McDaniel (18 years old), put Columbia on the world stage when he took a bronze medal at this year's World Shito-Ryu Karate Championships held in Beijing, China. The following interview was done upon his return.

Jon, how long have you been doing karate?

I started practicing karate at the age of 7 and it has been apart of my daily life for the past 11 years. As a young child, I did not like to play the typical sports such as baseball or football. So, instead I signed up for after school karate classes. I began karate over in St. Louis under Sensei Jeff Bedard, where I worked with other Senseis such as Nick Reeder and Sally David. In 2004, Sensei Bedard relocated and Sensei Reeder decided to open up his own school in Columbia. Thanks to Sensei Reeder's decision to open CKA, I am still practicing karate to this very day.

How did you earn a spot on the US Team?

For the past two years, it has been a major goal of mine to earn a spot on the U.S. National Karate Team. In order to earn a spot I had to place in the top 3 at the U.S. National Karate Championships held in Ft. Lauderdale, FL earlier this year. At that tournament I took a bronze medal in my kata (forms) division and now I have the opportunity to travel around the world and represent the U.S. in the most elite karate competitions.

We understand you had a busy summer...

I was fortunate enough to go on two international trips during the months of August and September. I attended the 6th World Shito-Ryu Karate Championships held in Beijing, China and I also attended the Jr. Pan American Championships in San Salvador, El Salvador.

How did it feel representing your country?

I have never felt so proud. When it came time for the competition I felt very prepared, but anxious. When I stepped out onto the mat I just kept thinking to myself that it is just another karate tournament. I just wanted to go out on the mat and do my very best and by the end of the day I was very pleased with how I did. I earned myself a bronze medal in the 18 year old advanced kata (forms) division. I was in shock even after my competition was over. I could not believe that I had just won a bronze medal at my first world karate championship.
The medal ceremony was held at the end of the night and all of the countries stood there and watched the athletes stand up on the podium to receive their medal. When it was my turn to stand up on the podium I had thought about how far I had come and all of the people that helped me reach that point. As I stood up on the podium I was so proud of myself. I knew I had made my dojo and the U.S. very proud.

Did you celebrate when you returned home?

Nope -- When I returned home from China, I had 3 days to repack myself and leave again for the Jr. Pan Am's in El Salvador. I traveled to El Salvador with the U.S. National Karate team a week before the tournament to train. When it came time for the competition, I did my best. However, this competition did not go as well for me as I had hoped. I placed in the top 15 out of the 42 athletes that were in my division. But, we had a good team and overall the U.S. took 2nd in the Jr. Pan American Championships.

What was the best part?

I got to meet many different people from around the U.S. and many other countries that share the same passion for karate as I do. I made many new friends from my trips. That was definitely the best part. Walking on the Great Wall was cool too.

Any advice for kids wanting to take up karate?

I think most schools portray that once you reach black belt, that's it - you're done. But from what I've learned from Sensei Reeder and through my experiences at CKA, the black belt is just the beginning. So make sure there are also athletic opportunities available through the school you join, because you never know... it could end up taking you around the world!