Congratulations to Oxford’s Bryant’s Karate school for their 18 first place wins!
Bryant’s Karate, which has approximately 70 students, participated in the year-long Michigan Sport Karate Circuit (MSKC) in different cities like Grand Blanc, Grayling, Auburn Hills and Detroit.
The MSKC is new to Michigan this year and had over 100 karate schools participate in the circuit with over 1,000 competitors.
Jeff Bryant, owner of Bryant’s Karate, said his goal was to have at least 10 first place winners from his school, let alone 18.
‘Eighteen (first places) is more than Michigan has ever had at one school,? he said.
The school also won many second and third places. The students will be receiving an award at Oakland University in December.
Students at Bryant’s range from age 4 to mid-40s.
‘It just wasn’t really a kid oriented thing,? Bryant said.
Bryant is a fifth-degree black belt and has taught in Oxford for five years. He’s been practicing the art of karate for 26 years.
So what was the secret behind Bryant’s school’s many wins?
Extra practice.
He offers a free Saturday class for two hours and feels the extra practicing gave his students more expertise.
Bryant’s Karate practices karate as a fighting art, not just on form.
‘A lot of schools do back flips and more gymnastics, which is cool, but that’s not going to help them out if they ever have to defend themselves,? Bryant said.
Although the classes are physically challenging, Bryant said he jokes he’s still like ‘Mr. Miyagi from The Karate Kid? movie.
Besides learning self-defense, student Joe Brown, who is also a black belt, said karate teaches him to have self-confidence and have good self-esteem.
‘Everyone here loves you,? he said. ‘It’s more like a big family.?
Karate also teaches focus, which Bryant said helps the kids in school.
‘It seems like the higher level (belt) they get, the better they do in school.?