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BY JOHN GORDON jtgordon@leader.net
Tuesday, February 08, 2000 Page: 17
Brown-belt tests showcase athletic prowess of Fairview Township trioJ
To many traditionalists and to naysayers, karate is not a sport. Don’t tell
that to the three Mountaintop-area students who passed their final brown-belt
test Jan. 28. at Joe Huntzinger’s Karate in Wilkes-Barre. To their parents,
trainers, friends and themselves, they are athletes in the purest sense of the
word. The Fairview Township trio consisting of 13-year-old Bradley Herron and
the brother-sister team of Amilynn, 14, and Paul Savner, 12, displayed its
athleticism during routines that included kata, sparring and self-defense
maneuvers at the Huntzinger dojo. In addition to athletic prowess, though, the
rigorous tests for the final white ring on the brown belt showcased inner
peace and desire. By day’s end, the trio would be one step closer to obtaining
the coveted black belt. Joe Huntzinger, founder of Mekuraho (way of the
invisible block) Fudo Shinkai, says traditionalists from other countries see
karate only as “a way of life.” While he agrees that karate is indeed a way
of life, he also said it is an art that has taken on many forms. American
servicemen in the 1960s brought the art to the United States, he said. “It
branched out here, and our competitive nature gave way to karate becoming
sport,” Huntzinger said. A sport by definition is any activity or experience
that gives enjoyment and requires vigorous bodily exertion. To the onlookers
at the Huntzinger dojo that Friday, the displays of skill and exertion by the
Mountaintop trio were very enjoyable, especially for the proud parents. “How
could this not be considered a sport?” Carol Savner asked. “People who don’t
think it’s a sport don’t know what goes into it.” She said the karate
students train hard and stay conditioned all year long, and she is proud of
what karate has given to her children and what Joe Huntzinger has done for
them. “It taught my children tolerance and how to walk away from kids if
they ever happen to get picked on,” Savner said. Anita Herron believes the
sport is great for self-confidence for all types of children. “Kids are all
different sizes and builds,” Herron said. Joe Huntzinger pointed to several
students training in the dojo before the brown-belt test began. “You see all
different sizes and shapes here, and I try to reach each of them and bring out
their possibilities,” Huntzinger said. The possibilities were many for the
three brown-belt hopefuls as they joined Master Huntzinger sitting on the
mats. He could be heard giving them some final words of encouragement and
advice. Nervousness was evident as the students executed a variety of moves
in self-defense drills and sparring in fighting scenarios. Paul Savner said
he was very jittery as the test began. “I went from nervous to more and more
confident as it went on,” he said. “At the end I was really relieved. I
can’t even imagine how nervous I’ll be when the black-belt test comes along,”
the Fairview Elementary pupil said. His sister, Amilynn, seemed a little more
confident. “I calmed down once I got here,” she said. “I got a lot of
energy as I was trying to do the best I could.” Her best was simply emotion
in motion as she displayed a multitude of spins, punches, kicks and chops
during a routine in which she basically moved to the music with elegant grace
and style. The rhythmic beat enhanced the enjoyment for all in the dojo, and
her performance seemed to amaze and uplift the onlookers. The way Paul and
Brad handled weapons in another test amazed the onlookers as well. Paul
twirled Nichi Bos, and Brad spun a Bo staff with precision and power as they
came closer to the final stage of the brown-belt exam. The three prospective
brown-belters needed a few breaks in between tests to catch their breath, but
it was the audience that waited with bated breath to witness the final break –
of three stacked cinder blocks simultaneously by each student. With three
swift chops, the blocks split and fell to the floor, and the day was complete,
almost. Amilynn, Paul and Brad received the third white ring, a certificate
and a proud hug from their mentor, Huntzinger. The trio then faced the
audience and sported the new additions to their brown belts as well as grins
of pride and self-achievement.