Jake Strickland is a 12 year old 7th grader from Columbus Georgia. He started training in the martial arts when he was seven years old. He has been training in Tae Kwon Do for just over five years now. He tried soccer and basketball, but karate looked like fun to him and his parents thought the discipline would be good for him. Jake knew after the first week that karate was the sport for him. Jake trained for eight months before he entered his first local competition. He took a good look at the competition and realized that karate could be so much more than two lessons a week and trying to get the next belt level. “Some of the competitions at that tournament were amazing.” “They did tricks that I have only seen in the movies.” They had some really great discipline, ability, confidence, sportsmanship and showmanship. When they entered the ring, everyone payed attention. Jake left that day without a trophy, but a new ultimate dream began for him. That included to be the best martial artists he could be and to someday be on stage at a major martial arts competition nighttime show. He did not know how far he could go with that, but the end of his journey was not his goal. It's all the experience and character gained along the way that inspires Jake.

He has excelled in many ways through the martial arts ever since the first day he began training. Jakes last four years of training has been at Won’s Martial Arts under Young S. Won. He trains me in Traditional, Open and Musical Forms and Fighting. Jake feels very lucky and fortunate to have one instructor that has been able to train him in all the events that he competes in.

Jake usually leaves school around 3:00 p.m. gets an early dinner and goes straight to the karate school. He spends at least three hours in intense training and the rest is spent helping teach the Little Dragons. He also try to spend a little time in between on his homework. He usually stays at the karate school till like 9:00 p.m. at which time he goes home eats again and goes to bed in preparation to do it all again the next day. He also trains one day a week in tumbling to help with his open competition forms.

Mr. Won requires all members of the K.I.C.K. T.E.A.M. (Karate in Christ Kingdom) to maintain a A-B average in school. Jake says the discipline he has learned from karate keeps him more organized and keep with his school commitments.

Jake has been competing regionally in IKC and NASKA since 1999. He started competing as a intermediate belt and has now been competing as a Black Belt since June of 2000. Jake really loves the black belt division and has really come a long way. The competition is so tough in the 12-13 year old Black Belt Division. He said it really pushes me to be the very best that I can be. We are more like friends than competitors. It makes it fun to win, but easier to lose when your friends are there besides you. Jake is currently rated number one in the Boys 12-13 year old Black Belt Forms Division.

Jake recently competed at the Diamond Nationals and did an outstanding job. He also took the grand at the NBL Super Grands in Musical Weapons, 1st Place in 12-13 boys black belt traditional forms, 2nd in 12-13 boys black belt traditional weapons, 3rd in 12-13 year old black belt musicals, and 3rd in 12-13 boys black belt open.

Jake says he has no intentions of ever discontinuing his training and he hopes to compete as long as he is able to. His parents are very supportive and as long as his attitude is positive, the competition is healthy, and his grades are good, they plan to let him continue training. His parents have offered him to play other sports, but Jakes says his heart is in karate. It's become such a big part of my life.

Jake has already been training very hard for the 2003 competition season.