Posted on Sun, Oct. 25, 2009

e-mail	print	RSS	reprint
AIM	Digg it	del.icio.us	Facebook

Haysville teen gets opportunity to compete internationally

BY BROOKS SEELEY

Eagle correspondent

Martial arts has taken Walker Hinkle around the United States — Detroit, Kansas City, Chicago, New Orleans. Now, the 15-year-old gets to travel to Dublin, Ireland, to compete in the World Kickboxing Council Martial Arts Championships Nov. 1-4.

Hinkle, from Haysville, is one of about 100 U.S. competitors ranging from youths to adults that will participate in the event, which is expected to include 5,000 competitors from 43 countries.

"It's such an accomplishment just because it doesn't happen a lot because a lot of people don't get the opportunity to go," Hinkle said. "I'm so excited, I can't wait."

Hinkle got his start in martial arts in 2002 with encouragement from his parents, Tom and Dorcie.

"We wanted him to have that discipline and be able to protect himself if needed," Tom said.

Seven years later, Walker has 25 regional titles, 12 national titles and two world champion titles. He just got his adult black belt last week.

"The excitement level sends chills down my spine," Tom said. "We're extremely proud of him for everything he's done. This has kept him out of trouble and he has a good head on his shoulders. This did us well."

Walker knows that adding to that collection of titles won't be easy in Ireland.

"I take that they are going to be some of the best in the world and I use it to help me succeed," Hinkle said. "I've got to step up a lot. These are some of the greatest competitors in the world."

Hinkle trains out of Elite Martial Arts in Derby. His instructor, Jerry Lemmons, also qualified for the national team, but isn't able to attend.

"He's earned it," Lemmons said. "He's got a great personality. He's willing to give back. He's willing to help kids and he's got a lot of talent. He'll represent us well there."

Hinkle will compete in three divisions: traditional weapons, continuous sparring and point sparring. He will use a bow staff in traditional weapons but really enjoys the sparring.

"I think that's what I'm best at... so I feel like I have a really good opportunity in that," Hinkle said. "Fighting has helped me in so many ways and taught me so many more things."

Whatever happens in Dublin, Walker knows that just getting this opportunity is an experience to remember.

"Just knowing that I've competed with people that are in a way higher level than me, I just feel great about it," Hinkle said. "I just want to get over there and see how they compete and see how I do."

     Showing: Oldest first Newest first Most-recommended first Least-recommended first

@Nyx.AuthorDisplayName@ wrote on @Nyx.PostedAtTime@:

@Nyx.CommentBody@

@Nyx.Recommender@ @Nyx.AbuseReporter@