TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Suncoast Pasco News

Teens off to Europe for Karate world championships

ADVERTISEMENT

BY ERIC HORCHY

THE SUNCOAST NEWS

Published: October 4, 2008

NEW PORT RICHEY - Two local athletes will make their world championship debuts Oct. 24 when they travel to Novi Mesto, Slovenia, and take on other top juniors from dojos around the globe.

Alexis Campisi, a 16-year-old junior at J.W. Mitchell High School, and David Brackett, a 17-year-old senior at Gulf High School, both students at Ingram's Pro Karate Center, will be two out of 30 AAU/USA team athletes representing their country at the World Karate Confederation Junior World Championships.

"They both have the ability to win," said John Ingram, head instructor at Ingram's Pro Karate Center, one of three coaches who will make the trip as well. "It's a very intimidating situation going over there. The kids from Europe are really tough fighters."

"If I can keep them focused and believing in themselves," Ingram added, "I know they have a chance to win."

Alex and David, both second-degree black belts, are eager for the challenges of international styles, which, Ingram said, can differ from U.S. karate.

"It's going to be nice competing against people from all over," Alex said. "I've heard there's more talent as a whole over there, so that will be fun."

"I'm excited about it. Win or lose, you always feel good, so there's not really much apprehension," David said. "If anything, it's a learning experience."

This will be David's first time stepping on the mat internationally, but Alex got a feel for it in March when she traveled for a goodwill competition in Japan.

Championship competition is comprised of two disciplines: Kata, the individual practice of form, and kumite, sparring or fighting. Alex and David say they excel at, and prefer, the challenges of taking on another opponent.

Alex, though slight in build at about 5 foot 3, said she takes advantage of her quickness against typically larger competitors - female or male.

"I can predict when someone's going to be aggressive toward me and can set up different combinations that most people wouldn't be able to counter very easily," she said, mentioning that she also fought in the 17-and 18-year-old boys' division in Japan.

While this will be the first trip they make with the AAU/USA team, both have previously qualified for the team in year's past, but didn't travel.

Expenses can hit roughly $3,500 per athlete on overseas trips, making it difficult for every qualifier to compete, Ingram said. To alleviate some of the financial burden, the training center holds multiple fundraisers with the goal of reaching at least half of the overall costs.

The next of these efforts is a car wash that will be held from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. today, Saturday, at the 7-11 at S.R. 54 and Little Road.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT