Competitor Spotlight
Spotlight Archive (By Last Name)
Jordan Kreiser
Competitor: Jordan Kreiser
Rank: 4th Kyu (Gup) Brown Belt
Age: 12 Years Old
Team: Team Illuzion (Juniors)
Base Style: Tang Soo Do
School: Yowell Karate, Jacksonville, Arkansas
2006 AKA Titles: Traditional Forms and Sparring
If asked, Jordan is quick to give you her theory of Martial Arts training, “Martial arts teaches you strength, discipline, and how to defend yourself. These areas teach you how to succeed. Applying them makes you successful.” All of this from a young woman, wise well beyond her 12 years.
When asked about what led to her success this year, helping her to win two National titles, Jordan responded, “Practice and understanding. The best way to do well in the martial arts is to listen to what you are being taught, practice the moves in your head and then practice them physically, repeating as often as necessary. Mr. Yowell says repetition is important and I think so!”
She had this to say about being an AKA Champion and perhaps role model. “Well, it is sort of like we higher belts are responsible for making sure the lower ranks are O.K., learning, and doing what they are supposed to. Just being a higher rank means that you already are a role model, and have to look after them (lower ranking students) and help them learn about martial arts.” Jordan does not just talk the talk when talking about looking after her fellow class mates, she walks the walk. Early in the 2006 season, Jordan had won two first place trophies while another beginner and fellow student had won nothing. Moreover, this was Jordan’s fellow student’s first tournament ever, and the student was rather disappointed. Without any prodding, Jordan put her arm around the other young girl and let her know that if she did her best, she was an undisputed winner, no matter what the score said. To prove it, Jordan gave her classmate one of her hard-earned trophies. Jordan, in the eyes of her classmates, is a champion that leads by example.