Adult Athlete Highlight - September
Jawoyn White – Black Belt
What got you started in martial arts? What keeps in involved? I was first drawn to martial arts as a young child, inspired by TV shows like Kung Fu Theater, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and The Last Dragon. However, it was when my mother introduced me to my cousin and instructor, Joshua Harper Jr., who truly ignited my passion when he introduced me to the discipline at age 10. Competing in my first tournament in Savannah, Georgia, at around 11 or 12, solidified my interest and made martial arts an integral part of my life.
Martial arts have become deeply ingrained in my identity. I love the diverse elements that can be explored and rediscovered within the disciplines. The training not only keeps me physically fit but also contributes to my spiritual and mental well-being, especially as I've gotten older. I still enjoy competing and carrying on the legacy of my teachers, Joshua Harper Jr., Bernard Frost, Michael Watts, and Victor Strong. Additionally, sharing my knowledge and experience with others, both young and old, is incredibly rewarding.
What's the most epic pre-competition meal you've ever had? I've generally adopted a lighter diet before competitions, often opting for fruit, granola bars, or energy drinks. However, in my mid-20s, I briefly experimented with a steak, egg, and cheese bagel as my pre-competition meal. While it was delicious, I quickly realized it wasn't the best choice for my performance. But it was delicious though, lol!
Imagine you're giving a pep talk to your younger self just starting out in karate. What's the one piece of advice you'd give them? Regarding all the martial arts: Enjoy the highs of training but celebrate the lows as well, take advantage of every opportunity presented especially if growing and understanding of techniques is involved. Accept the praises of your instructor(s) and embrace the criticism as they come from a place of love too. For competition: understand that your dedication will put you on par with any "named" fighter so give them your best, put fight IQ in your top 3 early not top 5 and lastly no title or championship is going to make you! Your skills and hard work will help you make your mark.