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Stone Cold Fighter

Well-rounded girl trains, works hard

By ERIC BACA
Valley Press Staff Writer

At second glance even, she appears to be simply an ordinary 9-year-old Antelope Valley kid.

Yet, when Stone dons her gi at Okinawa-Te Karate in Lancaster, she transforms into a student and fighter nearly 10 years her senior.

A casual conversation with Stone gives off a similar feeling as does watching her on the dojo floors. She's a small frame producing a big sound.

Most recently, Stone took first place in both of her kata events and also placed second in her kumate - Japanese word describing detailed movements and choreography - event at the Compete Tournament in Ontario.

"This tournament she won is really special," said Sensei Richard Triplett, instructor of Stone. "She was at a period where she was uncertain of herself. Sometimes when you train it's harder to train than the match itself."

Growing in confidence, Stone said that she worked equally hard mentally as she did physically to obtain the trophies that were almost as tall as she is.

"I told myself that at the tournament that I am not going to focus on the belt," she said. "I am not fighting a belt. I am fighting a person. But I don't put pressure on myself, and it obviously paid off."

Triplett said that while kata is less combative, it's form-driven style is more difficult than sparring, making Stone's accomplishment that much more impressive. Within her memorized piece, Stone had to demonstrate striking and blocking techniques that "resembles fighting four or five people," Triplett suggested.

"Sometimes it's harder to win in kata than it is in sparring because you have to convince five people that you are better than the other 25. In sparring, it's just you and the other individual, so you have a little control."

While her friends might be tucked away indoors with TV and video games, Stone prefers the rigors offered to her by karate. Since she was 5, Stone has spent three to four days a week at Okinawa-Te Dojo to attack her craft. There with Triplett, and fellow instructor Becky Allen, Stone has become not only a capable fighter but an example to her classmates as well.

Standing by her side throughout the tournament, Allen said that Stone's confidence and talent impressed many onlookers and judges, many who approached Allen to offer their compliments.

"She's a diamond in the rough," Triplett said. "You don't get too many students like that. She picks it up pretty good. The main thing is that she works hard at it. Kids can look at her, and adults can look at her and say, 'That's how you do it.' And that will help them. That's the way it's supposed to be."

The selflessness that karate and her parents have given her was made most evident throughout of competition. Another fighter that Stone knew had injured herself in a match and could not continue. While many offered their apologies, Stone offered the competitor one of her kumate trophy.

Stone's strong showing at the tournament is just the last of several successes she has experienced in the early part of the year. Earlier, Stone won the Little Miss Lancaster pageant, followed by her coronation as Little Miss Antelope Valley. True to herself, Stone performed a karate routine for her talent, and gave her speech while holding a kick stance.

"I felt good because I didn't think I was going to be able to memorize it, but I did," Stone said. "When I heard I won, I was excited, and I thought, "Oh gosh, this is going to be a big year."

In addition to karate, Stone takes singing and acting lessons, hoping to fulfill her dream of becoming an actress. She also takes tennis lessons and hopes to begin gymnastic and swimming lessons soon as well. Of course, she plans on undertaking each with the same fervor that has made her one of the fiercest competitors in her age and skill level.

"She is a firecracker ," Triplett said. "She has good work ethic, she works hard and doesn't complain."

A purple belt currently, Stone said that she plans on continuing with karate until she earns her black belt. She is five tests away from her blue belt, and is mastering the 100-plus moves required of kata. Upon reception of her black belt, Stone wants to teach younger students, karate and otherwise.

When I get to black belt, I don't think I will stop," she said. "When I am older, than I can make my own choices, but I don't think I will ever stop. Whatever happens, I am still happy."

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