8-Year-Old Tang Soo Do Academy Student Wins National Karate Championship

Harry Haines, 8, a student of Liciaga Christian Karate Academy on Lakehurst Road, competed in the Atlantic City Karate Nationals, and won two titles.

"He went down there to have fun and he came back a winner," Harry's mother, Anna Visco said. The purple belt martial artist won third place in Board Breaking and Sparring (also known as free fighting).

Peter Liciaga, chief instructor and founder of the school, said he does not promote competition for his students, but Harry's experience may make him reconsider.

"We are really proud of Harry. He went to the Nationals, and displayed his leadership skills and also demonstrated respect for the other competitors," Liciaga said.

Harry has done a complete "360" in school since he began studying karate two years ago with Liciaga, Visco said. "He has always been a good kid, he just had so much energy," Visco said.

There has been a dramatic change in her son's behavior and ability to focus, which is a product of the unique training he has recieved at Liciaga's school, according to Visco. "Harry has learned self-discipline, respect, and also has learned how to work towards goals," Visco said.

The physical self-defense skills Harry has learned with Liciaga, Visco said, is just a foundation for the development of something more important: values, both moral and spiritual.

Liciaga said Harry has displayed powerful self-control, improved focus, and fearless self-confidence.

"Harry has come a long way. He has set a precedence to his school, and he has inspired other students to want to compete," Liciaga said.

According to Liciaga, if Harry continues at this pace, he will quickly become a black belt martial artist. Harry is a member of the school's Leadership Club, which meets several times per week and focuses on developing life skills. The leadership lessons are taught with coordinating bible verses, to provide a moral basis for philosophical foundations.

"When I first came to this area, I noticed that the youth in the community could truly benefit from a program of this type," Liciaga said.

Every person will meet many challenges in life, Liciaga said, and the youth especially need to be instructed to overcome these obstacles. His students are developing into future leaders of their community and only their actions define who they are.

"That transformation starts with me," Harry said.

Harry said he intends to continue competing in tournaments, and will take on the challenge again at the NJ State Championship next month. Harry and another of Liciaga's students, Kaitlyn Turner, 8, of Tabernacle, will represent the school at the tournament. Kaitlyn also competed in the Atlantic City Karate Nationals in July.

"Both Harry and Kaitlyn showed respect as leadership members, as well as courtesy and reservation at the tournament. I can't tell you enough how proud I am of both of them," Liciaga said.

Harry said he has begun to define his goals, using the leadership skills he has learned at the academy.

"I want to continue learning martial arts, and someday I want to be an instructor, just like Mr. Liciaga," Harry said.