Competitor Spotlight
Spotlight Archive (By Last Name)
Matt Butcher
Competitor: Matt Butcher
Rank: 3rd Degree Black Belt
Age: 19 Years Old
Team: Team Butcher
Base Style: Tae Kwon Do
School: Butcher’s Martial Arts, Springdale, AR
2006 AKA Titles: Musical Forms and Hvy Wt Sparring
Though he took his first martial arts lesson at the age of 6, on April 1st, 1993, Matt is no one’s April Fool. His mother had this comment regarding Matt’s early work ethic, “Matt lived at the TKD school... it was almost impossible to keep him away. He seemed like a little sponge. Just soaking it all up.” Matt certainly learned his lessons well, winning his first national title at the age of 8 years old, and since then he has seldom looked back.
Few AKA competitors display Matt’s unbridled enthusiasm, focus, intensity and over-the-top energy during competition. Matt (pictured above displaying his signature “flash”) is not just show, but a solid martial artist grounded in the basics. His strong basics, and rock-solid fundamentals have consistently made Matt a force to be reckoned with in traditional forms competition. The combination of his strong basics and his high flying aerial techniques made Matt nearly unstoppable in 2006, as he completely dominated the Musical Forms division.
More than just a young adult competitor, Matt is a leader and inspiration to his students. Leading by example, Matt serves as a shining light, illuminating the way for those that strive to follow in his path. He can be seen on the competition floor taking the time to mentor and offer words of encouragement to his young students.
Matt also is a successful promoter in the AKA Southern Region. Matt’s Northwest Arkansas Open held in Springdale ran so well his first year, that he was invited to sit on the Southern Region’s Promoters Board in 2007. This makes Matt the youngest promoter to join the illustrious group. With great organizational skills and wonderfully supportive parents behind him, Matt’s tournament to be held on September 8th, 2007, promises to be the model of efficiency and a real treat for all those that participate.
Without a doubt, Matt on many levels as an instructor, tournament promoter and, of course, champion is one of the rising stars in the AKA Southern Region and a competitor to keep your eyes on in 2007.