MARTIAL ARTS STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

Photos courtesy of Thomas Hopkins Photography.

Jake Strickland hails from
Columbus, GA and is on his way to making a big name for himself in the martial arts world as well as Hollywood.

DOB: 12/20/1989
8th Grader at Calvary Christian School, Columbus, GA
Family: Dad, Ed; Mom, Lisa; two brothers, Syde(8) and Jett (4)

He has been a Member of K.I.C.K. Team since 1998

Jake currently holds a second degree black belt. His instructors are Master Young Won, Mike Chat, Jonathan Boyd, and Steven Torres. Jake trains at Won's Martial Arts in Columbus, Georgia. He trains 6-7 days per week for 3-4 hours per day.

Martial Arts Accomplishments

Media Appearances:
2001 ISKA World Championships shown on ESPN
2002 ISKA World Championships shown on ESPN
2003 ISKA World Championships shown on ESPN
XMA Discovery Channel Documentary
Regis and Kelly Live May 2004

Jake has a strong background in gymnastics. He enjoys skateboarding, video games, swimming, riding four wheelers, motorcycles, and jumping on the trampoline.

www.jakestrickland.com

JAKE STRICKLAND

Asante’ Rashid Lee is an audacious 10 year old Brown Belt. He began his martial arts training at the age of 7, under the excellent instruction of his father Nathaniel Lee – a Black Belt in Tae Kwon-Do and a certified Muay Thai instructor.

Today, Asante’ a.k.a. the “Silver Dragon” represents Kyoshi, Lacy Green Jr. and the Universal Elite Fighting System. He anxiously started training with Kyoshi, Green in 2001 at the Thunder Zone Dojo located in Fayetteville, NC. A short time later he became a dominant member of “Team War Angel” competing on the Martial Arts Tournament Tour (M.A.T.T.).

Under the instruction of his father and Kyoshi, Green, Asante’ won numerous 1^{st place trophies, the 2002 M.A.T.T. championship in
novice traditional Kata and 1st runner-up in sparring all during his
first year of competition.}

^{During 2003 the “Silver Dragon” added several notable
accomplishments to his Forming list as he once again became the M.A.T.T.
champion in intermediate Kata and 1st runner-up in sparring. He also
displayed his diversity & determination by getting a 3rd place
finish in traditional weapons.
Asante’ spends at
least 4-5 days per week training at home with his competition coach at
the Lee Family Dojo…not to mention the long hours he spends at the
Thunder Zone.

Asante’ not only
excels in martial arts but also in school, where he is an academically
gifted honor roll student at Sherwood Park Elementary.

When he’s not in school or training he enjoys doing what most boys
enjoy; like playing games on his Play Station 2 and being outside with
his friends.
Asante’s goals for his
bright future are to earn his Black Belt by his 11th birthday, January
25, 2005 and to become the NBL Junior Black Belt champion in Kata and
Sparring

http://home.nc.rr.com/asante
ASANTE ON KKO}

Ricky Morris is the most amazing 6 year old “under belt”, thus far. Studying a little over a year in martial arts, Ricky’s been tearing up the competition in 2003! He won 14 trophies this year taking home 3 first place trophies and a Grand Champion trophy at the Florida State Tae Kwon Do Championship in Tampa in November.

Ricky studies Tae Kwon Do under Master Gina Anacleto, chief instructor and owner of WKC Tae Kwon Do Center in Lake Worth, Florida.

In 2003 he started competing in Tae Kwon Do tournaments in Tampa and Vero Beach placing first in traditional forms, sparring, and breaking. He then went on the U.S. Open in Orlando and placed 5^th in traditional forms. “This is where Ricky seen some amazing martial artist,” says Mom. “He sees what hard work and dedication can achieve.”

One of his idols is Lauren Kearney of Team Paul Mitchell. Seeing her perform at the U.S. Open, Ricky immediately wanted to study the Bo Staff and be just like her. A few weeks after the tournament, Ricky became one of her students. She introduced him to the Bo Staff teaching him basic strikes and movements. Impressed with his discipline and eager ability to learn, Lauren prepared him for the Pan American Games in Miami. He placed 7^th in Weapons, (not bad for only 8 weeks of training!) 3^rd in Sparring, and 4^th in Traditional Forms. Impressed with his use of the Bo, Master Gina allowed Ricky to be a part of the Demo Team at WKC.

“2004 should be an interesting year for Ricky,” Dad says. “We will try and introduce him to a few more NASKA Tournaments this year. He’s already starting to train for this year’s U.S. Open. He’s very excited and can’t wait!”

What does Ricky have to say? Just ask him…

“I love having fun. I love meeting new people at tournaments. My dream is to someday be on Team Paul Mitchell. I know I can do it!”

He is our choice for February 2004.

RICKY ON KKO

National Millennium Martial Arts Award Winner 2000

Sports Personality of the Year 1995

Many Times World Champion

Know throughout many part of the World as

"Ambassador of Martial Arts"

"Bronze Medallist" World Championships 2001

Rhydian Tolcher-James
"Ambassador of Martial Arts"

  Former World Champion
British Champion - English Champion - Welsh Champion
Freestyle and Full Contact.

Rhydian Tolcher-James started training in Karate at the young age of 4 years. He trained for two years before being entered into the European Karate Championships in Holland in 1992. He amazed everyone and took the championship beating a German opponent into 2nd place. The Vale of Glamorgan were waiting to congratulate him on his return holding the European Cup, the Youngest ever to achieve that level of martial arts.

At the age of 7 he achieved his first Black Belt (Red Mongkon in Muay Thai). The former Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand came across to honour his Grade and to present him with a plaque for his dedication and achievement That of "Youngest Member of the Palace Guard" in Thailand. The event was published in Combat Magazine January 1996.

Also at the age of 7 he attained his first Black Belt in Freestyle Karate. Rhydian trained everynight proving his dedication to martial arts. He trained firstly in Karate and went onto his Thai-Boxing Class almost everynight of the week. This young boy was a very dedicated martial artist.

Rhydian achieved his 1st Degree Black Belt in Tae-Kwondo at the age of 9 years. In 1994 he won the Grand Championship for the World United Martial Arts, and the Grand Champion of the Welsh Contact Karate Association, plus many other achievement along the way including European Martial Arts Champion. He achieved World Kickboxing Champion in 1996, 1997, and 1998, after which he decided to concentrate on football, where his ability has been noticed, and represents a number of different football clubs.

Rhydian with Former Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand

Rhydian with Former Deputy Prime Minister of Thail

Receiving his Award "Warrior Status"

Rhydian with Former Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand
General Tianchai Sirosompan and Mr. Kwan Robcop Director General of Physical Education of Thailand

He is now a 3rd Degree Black Belt in both Karate and Kickboxing. and 1st Degree Black Belt in Thai Boxingand Tae-Kwondo. Also a an Instructor within the Welsh Academy of Martial Arts.

Owing to his dedication and outstanding achievements since he has trained in martial arts, an author by the name of David Mitchell heard of him, and approached him to appear in a book entitled "Young Martial Art Enthusiast". This was such an honour for Rhydian and Lynne his mother. Lynne was asked to provide two students to accompany Rhydian during the photoshoot which was held in Convent Garden, London. One of which appears right on the front of the book in the Black and Red Uniform. Rhydian appears both in the inside page and under the chapter Thaiboxing and Freestyle.

He is now known throughout many parts of the World, as an Ambassador of Martial Arts.

He won Sports Personality of the Year Award in 1995 for his outstanding achievements. This young man is a credit to his chosen sport, and encourages youngsters to follow in his footsteps.

Although he doesn`t take part in martial art tournaments at the moment he is a dedicated footballer, and member of a professional club, his love is still martial arts. Hopefully one day he will return the the fighting scene.

The Year 2000 was an important year once again for Rhydian as he won the "National Martial Arts Award" for his outstanding achievements. He also won the "National Student Creditation Award" for 2000. which was presented by Mr. Paul Griffin of the British National Martial Arts Associaton and Silvio Simac Tae-Kwondo World Champion

Pictured on the left Rhydian with his 6ft Trophy for Grand World United Martial Arts Champion 1996 together with his presentation from the Former Deputy Prime Minsiter of Thailand, His Sword for his Black Belt in Muay Thai - Welsh Contact Karate Grand Champion Cup 1996 - European Title Cup 1992 - European Martial Arts Trophy 1996- World Kickboxing Trophy 1997- Shield for "Sports Personality of the Year" 1995 and many other achievements along the way

RHYDIAN ON KKO