By Chris Piccirillo, Courier Senior
Sports Writer:
For the past six
years, Mitchell Stenquist has worked tirelessly at learning the traditional
karate style of Tang Soo Do, a Korean martial art that emphasizes both
self-respect and respect for others.
Mitchell, a
sixth-grade student at North Haven Middle School, has trained regularly at the Institute of Martial Arts
in Wallingford
with Masters Lyne Landry and Harry Needham, who were so impressed with
Mitchell’s skill level and desire to learn that they recommended him to test
for first-degree black belt, a rare distinction for an 11-year old.
Mitchell says that
achieving black-belt status has been a big goal of his as he’s progressed
through the other belts in recent years and last month, Mitchell achieved that
goal as he successfully tested for the belt at the Boys and Girls Club of
Greater Waterbury and was presented with it by Grandmaster Robert Cheezic.
“It feels awesome to
get my black belt because I’ve worked really hard at it and all the hard work has
paid off,” says Mitchell, who is the youngest current black belt at his school.
“I was nervous before the test because I knew it would be hard, but I was also
confident because I felt I knew my stuff well. Then after I got it, I felt like
I could do anything and Master Cheezic came up to me and said, ‘Welcome to the
inner circle.’ That was a great moment for me.”
In order to attain
his black belt, Mitchell had to execute in three separate aspects of Tang Soo
Do, starting with his performance in traditional forms. After that, he had to
break boards using his fists, feet, and an open hand. Then came Mitchell’s
favorite part of the test as he had to perform in weapons by using his kamas,
which resemble a small sickle.
Master Landry feels
that Mitchell is equally adept at all three of these aspects and says that type
of balance, along with his dedication and maturity, are the reasons why she and
Master Needham recommended Mitchell for the black-belt test.
“Mitchell is pretty
balanced with everything and works hard in each aspect,” says Landry, a
sixth-degree black belt. “He’s a very smart and dedicated kid who truly enjoys
learning as much as he can and always gives back to his fellow students at the
school, which he understands is one of the most important things in martial
arts. I’m extremely proud of Mitchell. It’s quite an accomplishment for someone
his age to earn his black belt, but Mitchell always gives 100 percent and it
shows.”
Mitchell thanks
Landry and Needham for helping him prepare for
the black-belt test and also extends thanks to Sensei Mike Ferreira, with whom
Mitchell studies Extreme Martial Arts—a combination of choreographed patterns,
acrobatics, and gymnastics—at 100% Martial Arts in Glastonbury.
In fact, just two
days after earning his black belt, Mitchell placed first for weapons using his
kamas at the Assembly of the Fighting Arts Champion Tournament in North Branford. Mitchell performed a 30-second routine
and was then called to stand with the other handful of competitors, after which
the judges announced that he was the winner.
“I gave it my all.
My kicks were high and I yelled really loud,” says Mitchell, whose younger
brother, Hunter, is a seven-year old green belt. “It’s fun competing in
tournaments because I like performing in front of people and I get to see where
I’m at. Even if I don’t get first place, I love to watch everyone else and see
who does win.”
Mitchell, who also
thanks his parents, James and Teresa, says that his next goal with Tang Soo Do
is to attain his second-degree black belt, which will likely take two to three
years. He says his longer-term goals are to earn his third-degree black belt
and then eventually become a master black belt.
Mitchell also says
that he’d one day like to follow in the footsteps of those who have helped him
improve his martial arts skills by opening his own school.
“I don’t like it
when I see kids being bullied and I’d like to help put a stop to that by
teaching them to be able to defend themselves,” Mitchell says. “Martial arts
have also helped me become more disciplined and that’s something else I’d like
to teach kids one day.”
Pictured: Mitchell
Stenquist, a sixth-grader at North
Haven Middle School,
recently earned his first-degree black belt in traditional karate.
Photo
courtesy of James Stenquist