Keely-Anne Budd is not your average Grade 10 Innisfail Junior/Senior High School student. She isn't even your average Kempo Karate student.
Just ask Grand Master Gil Lesantaise, he'll be glad to tell you.
“Keely-Anne is an amazing young lady I am pleased to be able to teach and work with. Her character is exceptional, and she lights up the room whenever she shows up,” said Lesantaise. “Every school has a social butterfly, and she is ours. She relates so well with all age levels, and we are fortunate to have her. She has achieved so much in the martial arts as well, and has represented Canada, and our dojo incredibly, winning numerous medals along the way.”
She has been studying Kempo Karate at the Black Dragon Martial Arts and Fitness Centre in Red Deer since Grade 2.
“My stepsister had been taking karate, and one day I was playing with my friends, the next day I was a karate student,” said Budd. “Since then, I have not looked back.”
Budd has rapidly progressed at the school.
“I currently have my brown belt, and help teach the younger students as an assistant instructor. I also still take lessons along with the more advanced students when we have time, and am planning to take my black belt testing when Grand Master Lesantaise deems I am ready. ”
Keeley-Anne, now 15, has made a name for herself internationally. She has competed at the world championship in Las Vegas in 2010, winning two titles, and placing second in two other disciplines. At age 14, in Vancouver, she was the sole representative in her age/discipline group, and competed against a 16-year-old male, and won gold. Her martial art prowess has garnered a significant number of international invitations, of which she has only accepted a small number.
But that is not all. She is also the newest member of the International Martial Arts Hall of Fame, and a Jim Thomas Award recipient for outstanding contributions to the martial arts and dedication to lifelong learning and community service. Grand Master Gil Lesantaise inducted Budd into the Hall of Fame, and is himself a member of the Hall.
“What is significant about the Jim Thomas Award is that there are only 15 Canadians in the International Hall of Fame who have achieved this. I can only imagine what she will accomplish in the future. We are very proud of her,” Lesantaise added.
Budd fully appreciates that martial arts studies require an extraordinary amount of commitment and discipline.
“I have had quite a few different practice schedules over the years. I have practised up to four days a week, for four hours a day, and as little as two days a week for an hour a day when I first started,” said Budd. “It has been hard work, but is easily worth it. The rewards are amazing.
“I enjoy studying Kempo Karate at the Black Dragon Centre,” she added. “It's fun, it helps me stay in shape, and most obviously, has taught me self-defence techniques. Part of my time is also spent studying and practising kick-boxing as well.”
This Grade 10 student is also active in school.
“I enjoy sports like snowboarding, and right now am waiting for basketball to start.”
She said studying Kempo Karate has changed her life.
“When I first started karate eight years ago,” she continued, “I was a shy, young Grade 2 student who had a hard time talking to anyone. Today is a different story. Studying martial arts has given me an incredible self-confidence, and in many ways, has allowed me to be a positive role model to my fellow students at school, and at the dojo.”
Would she recommend karate?
“Most certainly. I would recommend studying karate to anyone,” said Budd. “Not just for fitness either, although it is good for that. Over time, it has made me a better team player, and a better person.”
