Mike Parker: Karate Madness! offers magical competition
The magic takes place at the Little Union Academy of Martial Arts – but the competition will take place in the gym at Kinston High School from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 22.
This year’s Karate Madness! Open Championship marks the 20th year that Grand Master Joseph Jones and his academy have sponsored this competition that showcases all styles of martial arts.
Competitors come from North and South Carolina, as well as from Virginia and Georgia. Last year, some competitors even came from New Jersey for the competition.
Master Jones instills in his students at Little Union Academy of Martial Arts that martial arts is less about kicking and punching and more about “a way of life and embodies the life skills of respect, discipline, focus, concentration and more.”
“In the old days, the martial arts were perceived as combative and aggressive, but these days, the martial arts are used to help with life skills,” Master Jones explained. “Kids these days are committing suicide, and they don’t have awareness of themselves or others. The study of martial arts brings a sense of home and peace. Our mark is made not as much by kicking and punching, but by bringing discipline and self-respect.”
This family-friendly event provides an opportunity for children ages 5 and up and adults to display their skills, techniques, and competitive spirit in the martial arts. Master Jones, who founded the Little Union Academy of Martial Arts, created the event in 2003. Master Jones is an eighth-degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do and teaches Moo Duk Kwan and Tae Kwon Do styles in his dojo.
He brings years of experience in martial arts to his students. He started his journey in the martial arts in 1963 under the world-renown Grand Master Richard Chun in New York City. Master Jones has won numerous awards for his work, including being inducted into the American Martial Arts Alliance Hall of Fame and Joe Corley’s American Karate Battle of Atlanta Officials Hall of Fame, Inc,
In 2012, he received the Minority Business of the Year award in Kinston/Lenoir County and the Community Service Award in 2013 from Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
One mother expressed her gratitude for what Little Union has done for her children.
“I appreciate Little Union so much,” she said. “I have two children enrolled here, and it really is like a family. The values and morals they instill [at the academy] are the same that we try to exemplify at home to help develop our children’s character into honorable and humble people.”
Another parent focused on the benefits of discipline.
“Great discipline builder!” she said. “I’ve already seen my son develop his listening and learn to respect – and it’s only been two weeks!”
Master Jones said he hopes Karate Madness! will help spark local interest in the martial arts.
For more information about Little Union Academy or about the Karate Madness! Open Championship tournament, contact the academy at 252-523-5862 or by email at LittleUnionKarate@gmail.com.
Mike Parker is a columnist for the Neuse News. You can reach him at mparker16@gmail.com.
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