Solara Speaks

To My Fellow Martial Artists...

By Solara Key

Picture: Solara Key with Martial Arts Legend, World Black Belt President and CEO Grandmaster Bob Wall .

Hello Fellow Martial Artists, I am Solara Key, a member of World Black Belt, Inc., and a 13-year-old honor student at Siegel Middle School in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. In 2004, I was honored to receive my black belt in Shorin-Ryu Karate, the Japanese style of martial arts. In 2001, my parents and I were fortunate enough to be able to visit our dear friends in Japan. While there, we visited temples, a very large Buddha at Kamakura, castles, and the Samurai museum, among other things. What an extraordinary feeling it was to be where the Samurai had once ridden. Upon returning home, my friend asked me to take karate with her... Japanese style, of course! All it took was one class and I was hooked.

Even though I was shy and not flexible at all, I loved it and was determined to make it work. I could not wait to start sparring, but as I soon found out, it was not as easy as it looked. I went home frustrated a lot, but my sensei kept saying, “Solara, when you figure out that you have long legs, and you can make that work for you in the ring, you will learn how to fight.” I don’t know if it was figuring out I had long legs and how to kick with them, or being tired of getting “skunked” every time I got in the ring, but I finally got it together. I began going to tournaments. I love tournaments and the people I get to meet at them. Sometimes there will be people from all over the world.

I enjoy meeting people from other countries, and sharing in their culture. Maybe that is why I love martial arts so much. Before long, I began to win a few tournaments, then a few more. The thrill of victory was easier to take than the agony of defeat! In 2003, I won the 10-11 year old girl’s advanced fighting division at the Bluegrass National Karate Tournament in Louisville, Kentucky. That was the year my life changed... for the better.

Bob Wall congratulated me, gave me a hug and a lot of good advice. I recognized him from “Enter the Dragon,” and I was thrilled to meet him. I began to reconsider the plans for my future, and decided to change my “major” from veterinarian to acting in martial art movies, just like my mentor, Mr. Wall. I try to perfect my martial art talent in every way I can, while keeping up good grades and not neglecting the spiritual side of my life. I believe you have to give equal time to body, mind, and spirit. While perfecting my martial art skills, I am also trying to do something about my acting skills, and recently graduated from John Cassablancas School of Modeling/Acting. Even though I know that is not enough, it is a start. This summer my parents and I went to the first annual World Black Belt trade show in Los Angeles. While there, I auditioned for “The Next Martial Art Superstar.”

Remember my sensei telling me I needed to make my long legs work? Well, I accidentally kicked the table lined with a water pitcher and glasses while warming up to go into my audition!!! I did not get chosen, but I met so many wonderful people, it was worth the trip. How exciting to get to talk to Mr. Gene LeBell, Mr. Bill “Superfoot” Wallace, Mr. George Alexander, Shannon Lee, Mr. Bart Vale, Spice, Mr. Gary Lee, and of course, Mr. Bob Wall and his cast at the World Black Belt booth. It felt to me as if I were part of the Martial Arts Hall of Fame for a few days. Because of karate, I feel I have a quiet confidence in myself. I do not brag about being a black belt, and the school bully who pushed me down and bloodied my nose in second grade now goes out of his way to avoid me. My mom and dad are grateful to karate; as they feel I stand a chance to protect myself, should the need ever arise. In fact, my mom and dad were so inspired by my karate, they now both have their purple belts in Shorin-Ryu.

To all fellow martial artists striving for that black belt, never give up. Stay on a healthy eating plan, limit T.V., set your goals, and keep a positive outlook. Have respect for your family members and friends. And, to Mr. Jackie Chan and Mr. Chuck Norris... I’ll be there one day, hopefully! I’d love to hear from you...solarakey@worldblackbelt.com

This has been a Youth E-Zine Article.