Jayden kicks out bullies
HAVING beaten the bullies, nine-year-old karate brown belt Jayden Ryan is set to take on the state’s best at the Queensland titles in October.
After unsuccessful attempts to stop people bullying him, Jayden started karate as a way to gain confidence and overcome his ordeal.
Father Craig Ryan, who had done martial arts in his youth, encouraged Jayden to pursue the sport after seeing the negative effect bullying was having on his son.
“He was coming home very, very quiet,” Ryan said.
“Finding out that your son is spending lunchtimes in the library because he was too scared to go outside and be bullied, was hard to hear.”
That all turned around once the karate started along with younger brother, seven-year- old Kaelem, who has also qualified for the state titles.
Training twice a week at Gold Coast Goju Karate, the pair has never failed to place in five tournaments so far.
In the boys’ first national tournament, in Sydney last month, Jayden had a first and a second and Kaelem two firsts.
After being a nervous beginner, Jayden has excelled and dad couldn’t be prouder. “It’s phenomenal to see the confidence he has gained,” he said.
Karate is on the rise, with it set to debut as an Olympic sport at Tokyo 2020.
Sensei Nick Naudy said there were positive benefits of training in traditional and sports karate, including how to deal with confrontation.
“You learn to evaluate the situation and remain calm. It gives you the confidence to be able to negotiate out of any problem,” he said.