Kaptivating Karate Kids

Tools

By Nick Krupke

Story Published: Jun 20, 2007 at 7:18 PM PDT

Baseball has tee-ball, swimming has tadpoles and at Eastgate Kenpo in Springfield, karate has "The Little Dragons"

As the doors swing open at Eastgate Kenpo karate, a drove of Little Dragons pours into the dojo.

They check in... throw on the robe... cinch up the belt... slip on the gloves... and strap on the head gear, because today, is sparring day.

The Dragons' day begins with instruction from the highly respected Jennifer Nolte.

On comes conditioning... and the good 'ol sit-up... where they even hold down your feet!

After some cardio circles... and painful push-ups... the Little Dragons are ready for the goods... "Sparring."

Now this is the only sanctioned time and place for little boys to hit little girls... and for little girls to whallup on the boys. And the little dragons savor every moment of it.

Perhaps even better, is socking the older helpers... a virtual no-holds barred of practical self defense.

With class time running down, the day concludes with the Little Dragons reciting student credes.

Most Popular

Current Weather

Icon
Current Temp 58.0 °F
Overcast
Video
More Weather

Upload directly from your mobile device.

Learn how

YouNews

This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.

On Demand

Resources and info you need to prepare for the switch to DTV.

Stay Connected

POLL: Spell check and writing test

Should Oregon allow public school students taking a statewide writing test to use spell check?
Learn more and share your thoughts

  • Yes, writing is about more than spelling
  • No, especially if spelling will be used to evaluate the tests
  • Undecided
  • Who cares?