Email   Print   Share By Daniel Cernero, Sentinel Sports Editor

Facebook Digg Delicious June 14, 2012 | Sports

Students of Sensei Christina Fletcher pose with their medals from the State tournament. Courtesy photo

Elliott Allen, Diego Rodriguez and David Rodriguez practice a kick during Kouma Village’s karate class. Daniel Cernero, Sentinel Sports Editor

Sensei Christina Fletcher and her daughter and student, Aristine, 6, demonstrate a technique in front of the Kouma Village karate class. Daniel Cernero, Sentinel Sports Editor

David Rodriguez, 9, practices a Shotokan Karate drill during Kouma Village’s karate class. Daniel Cernero, Sentinel Sports Editor

Simone Nielsen braces herself while being kicked by Elliott Allen at Kouma Village’s karate class. Daniel Cernero, Sentinel Sports Editor

Fort Hood’s Shotokan Karate program will make it’s first-ever trip to a national karate tournament when it travels to the 2012 USA National Karate Championships in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., from July 12-15.

Five students – Aristine Fletcher, Aidan Caple, Simone Poveda, Anisha Deida and Abixael Deida – all of whom competed in the Texas State Championship in San Antonio last month, plan to travel to the tournament.

Christina Fletcher, the sensei for Fort Hood’s karate program, which holds its classes at the Kouma Village Child Development Center, said she expects her kids to be practicing three times a week leading up to the tournament. Many times, she holds complimentary classes on Saturdays in anticipation of the bigger tournaments.

One of her students, Aidan, 9, has been with Fletcher for a little more than year. In that time, Aidan has achieved a blue belt. His father, Justin Caple, said he’s been very impressed with Aidan’s progression.

“Aidan was diagnosed with Inattentive ADHD a few months ago,” he said. “The doctors have told us to really embrace things he shows interest in because it will help him focus better, both in the sport and in life. The fact that he is so focused on his Shotokan makes my wife, Tracy, and I feel a bit more at ease knowing he has something he can feel good about.”

Aidan has gone from someone fumbling through the movements, always a few seconds behind everyone, to now having a good grasp of the basics while training for a national competition.

“Aidan is now focused more than ever at the notion he is a state champion and has a chance to be one of the best in the nation,” Justin said of his son.

As the five students make the journey to Florida, they’ll be displaying all that they’ve learned in the martial art while representing the Great Place,

Justin said the opportunity is huge for his Family, the class and the program as a whole.

“We are having to foot the bill for all the costs related with this trip,” he said. “We don’t have boosters like some of the other karate teams in the area, and it is very stressful trying to figure out the logistics.”

However, he pointed out the flip side, adding, “The chance to go (to Nationals) for my son and the rest of the team will draw some much needed to the programs that Fort Hood provides, and will hopefully help them grow.” It would be awesome to have a Nationals medal here at Fort Hood.

Fletcher added, “The significance of competing at Nationals and representing Fort Hood is to further their karate skills and to have our school recognized as National Champions.”

In order to travel to Nationals, the team is looking to raise around $2,000, Fletcher said. The money raised will go toward the travel and lodging, as some team members will not be able to go if they can’t raise that money. Also, the typical registration cost for one team member is $170, which includes the USA Karate membership and two divisions in the tournament.

“However, getting to the tournament is the most expensive part,” Justin said.

For those interested in learning more about the team, call Fletcher at 338-0212 or the SKIES Unlimited officer at 287-4592 or visit the website at https://fundrazr.com/campaigns/bJsZa.