Post by Okwes on Jul 15, 2006 21:49:17 GMT -5
Chickasaw athelete wows the competition
Underwood a specialist in Tae Kwon Do
DENVER CO
Rick Abasta 7/12/2006
www.nativetimes.com/index.asp?action=displayarticle&article_id=80\
01
<http://www.nativetimes.com/index.asp?action=displayarticle&article_id=8\
001>
Tae Kwon Do is one of the most popular martial arts in the world today.
For the 2006 North American Indigenous Games, athletes competed in the
Tae Kwon Do event, in accordance with rules from the World Tae Kwon Do
Federation.
For one competitor, figuring out the rules and point system was the
biggest challenge on his way to earning a gold medal in the men's
black belt division. JD Underwood, 23, of the Chickasaw Nation fought
through these challenges to win the gold.
"I didn't know what to expect, it was my first time fighting the
WTF. Totally different rules," Underwood said. "I've been in
martial arts for 13 years. I trained for this for the last six months.
"I love the competition. I like the fact that I can get into the
ring and actually hit somebody," he said.
For his training, Underwood spent a lot of time in the gym, lifting
weights and running, while hitting the bags brought balance to his
training regimen. "My most powerful weapon for these Games is
probably my spinning hook kick. Like I said, there are different
rules," he said.
With his other competitions, where hand strikes are allowed, Underwood
is known for his back fist strikes. "For these games, I couldn't
strike to the head. It's kind of tough," he said.
Underwood's coach for the Games is Matt Clark, from the Chickasaw
Nation Martial Arts. He said Clark has trained him for over five years
now and the duo enjoy a healthy working relationship that almost borders
on a familial foundation.
"I've had the advantage of knowing JD since he started out at
the age of 13," Clark said. "I refer to him as my number one
instructor, my number one man and quite often, as my own son.
"He's a very competitive young man, but very disciplined,
though," he said.
Clark explained that discipline is perhaps one of the greatest
attributes of martial arts. "It teaches discipline to the kids, so
they learn to commit to something, whether it's basketball, baseball
or whatever," he said.
Underwood's discipline in the martial arts arena has garnered many
awards: five state championships, two national championships and a world
title with the Native American Martial Arts Association.
Underwood attributes his success to remaining fearless in taking on
older and more experienced fighters. "I always wanted to fight
someone harder, or a higher rank than me," he said. "I felt like
fighting adults when I was only 12."
Underwood is a first degree black belt and said he tested and earned his
belt. The toughest part of the sport is staying in shape he said, along
with the unknown factor that comes with stepping into the ring with
strangers.
"I've never seen these people here and I don't know what to
expect, but I have to go in there and do what I do," he said. A
proud member of the Chickasaw Nation, Underwood is equally proud of
calling Oklahoma "home."
"The Chickasaw Nation sponsored the Chickasaw athletes and coaches.
And we had kids from other tribes that we sponsored as well,"
Underwood said.
The Chickasaw Nation's decision to teach kids martial arts has
helped the community tackle obesity and diabetes, he added.
Clark said, "In our program, we have about 1,700 kids. As far as I
know, the Chickasaw Nation is the only tribe that has an actual
tribal-sponsored martial arts program." Tribal members, Native
Americans and employees can take the classes for free.
People outside the program are able to attend the classes too, at a
minimal price, as the facilities are open to the general public as well.
Clark is qualified for his job as martial arts instructor.
"I have a fifth degree black belt in Shotokan Karate, a fifth degree
in Kito Ryu Jiu-Jitsu, a fifth degree in Tae Kwon Do and a second degree
in Kodokan Judo," Clark said. If that's enough, he also holds a
teacher's degree in Tai Chi and Yoga.
Working for the Chickasaw Nation meant sharing his knowledge with the
kids, Clark said. He knew the challenges of dealing with bullies.
"38 years ago, I decided I wanted to be able to get from English
class to math class without getting my butt whipped," he said.
"I've tried to teach all the kids that it's self defense,
not fighting."
Team Oklahoma won 18 medals in the Tae Kwon Do event: eight gold, five
silvers and five bronze. Underwood's gold increased their count to
19 medals.
"When you think of the amount of medals we have won with only 11
students it makes me proud. I'm very proud of all of my kids,"
he said.
Underwood's message to all the other kids out there is clear and
simple: "Discipline yourself in whatever it is that you choose to do
and make a goal. Don't make it too high that you can't achieve
it, or too low that anyone can do it.
"Strive, strive, strive and do the best you can do. In our program,
we have a motto: I'm not a failure if I try," he said.
Underwood a specialist in Tae Kwon Do
DENVER CO
Rick Abasta 7/12/2006
www.nativetimes.com/index.asp?action=displayarticle&article_id=80\
01
<http://www.nativetimes.com/index.asp?action=displayarticle&article_id=8\
001>
Tae Kwon Do is one of the most popular martial arts in the world today.
For the 2006 North American Indigenous Games, athletes competed in the
Tae Kwon Do event, in accordance with rules from the World Tae Kwon Do
Federation.
For one competitor, figuring out the rules and point system was the
biggest challenge on his way to earning a gold medal in the men's
black belt division. JD Underwood, 23, of the Chickasaw Nation fought
through these challenges to win the gold.
"I didn't know what to expect, it was my first time fighting the
WTF. Totally different rules," Underwood said. "I've been in
martial arts for 13 years. I trained for this for the last six months.
"I love the competition. I like the fact that I can get into the
ring and actually hit somebody," he said.
For his training, Underwood spent a lot of time in the gym, lifting
weights and running, while hitting the bags brought balance to his
training regimen. "My most powerful weapon for these Games is
probably my spinning hook kick. Like I said, there are different
rules," he said.
With his other competitions, where hand strikes are allowed, Underwood
is known for his back fist strikes. "For these games, I couldn't
strike to the head. It's kind of tough," he said.
Underwood's coach for the Games is Matt Clark, from the Chickasaw
Nation Martial Arts. He said Clark has trained him for over five years
now and the duo enjoy a healthy working relationship that almost borders
on a familial foundation.
"I've had the advantage of knowing JD since he started out at
the age of 13," Clark said. "I refer to him as my number one
instructor, my number one man and quite often, as my own son.
"He's a very competitive young man, but very disciplined,
though," he said.
Clark explained that discipline is perhaps one of the greatest
attributes of martial arts. "It teaches discipline to the kids, so
they learn to commit to something, whether it's basketball, baseball
or whatever," he said.
Underwood's discipline in the martial arts arena has garnered many
awards: five state championships, two national championships and a world
title with the Native American Martial Arts Association.
Underwood attributes his success to remaining fearless in taking on
older and more experienced fighters. "I always wanted to fight
someone harder, or a higher rank than me," he said. "I felt like
fighting adults when I was only 12."
Underwood is a first degree black belt and said he tested and earned his
belt. The toughest part of the sport is staying in shape he said, along
with the unknown factor that comes with stepping into the ring with
strangers.
"I've never seen these people here and I don't know what to
expect, but I have to go in there and do what I do," he said. A
proud member of the Chickasaw Nation, Underwood is equally proud of
calling Oklahoma "home."
"The Chickasaw Nation sponsored the Chickasaw athletes and coaches.
And we had kids from other tribes that we sponsored as well,"
Underwood said.
The Chickasaw Nation's decision to teach kids martial arts has
helped the community tackle obesity and diabetes, he added.
Clark said, "In our program, we have about 1,700 kids. As far as I
know, the Chickasaw Nation is the only tribe that has an actual
tribal-sponsored martial arts program." Tribal members, Native
Americans and employees can take the classes for free.
People outside the program are able to attend the classes too, at a
minimal price, as the facilities are open to the general public as well.
Clark is qualified for his job as martial arts instructor.
"I have a fifth degree black belt in Shotokan Karate, a fifth degree
in Kito Ryu Jiu-Jitsu, a fifth degree in Tae Kwon Do and a second degree
in Kodokan Judo," Clark said. If that's enough, he also holds a
teacher's degree in Tai Chi and Yoga.
Working for the Chickasaw Nation meant sharing his knowledge with the
kids, Clark said. He knew the challenges of dealing with bullies.
"38 years ago, I decided I wanted to be able to get from English
class to math class without getting my butt whipped," he said.
"I've tried to teach all the kids that it's self defense,
not fighting."
Team Oklahoma won 18 medals in the Tae Kwon Do event: eight gold, five
silvers and five bronze. Underwood's gold increased their count to
19 medals.
"When you think of the amount of medals we have won with only 11
students it makes me proud. I'm very proud of all of my kids,"
he said.
Underwood's message to all the other kids out there is clear and
simple: "Discipline yourself in whatever it is that you choose to do
and make a goal. Don't make it too high that you can't achieve
it, or too low that anyone can do it.
"Strive, strive, strive and do the best you can do. In our program,
we have a motto: I'm not a failure if I try," he said.