Local Karate Prodigies to Compete at World Championships

Provided by Shaw's National Karate Institute

Local black belt karate students Jaden Johnson and David Hyman will compete for Team USA at the 2013 NAFMA World Championships on Nov. 8 and 9 in Port of Spain, Trinidad, West Indies.

The 2013 World Championships feature competitors from 11 countries who will compete in Point Sparring, Forms, Weapons and Stick Fighting. Team USA is comprised of 20 members.

Jaden, 11, lives in Pennsauken and is a first degree black belt at Shaw’s National Karate Institute, located at 6704 North Route 130 in Pennsauken. He attends Pennsauken Intermediate School, where his favorite subjects are science and mathematics. Jaden will compete in Forms, Point Sparring and Weapons at the World Championships. He began karate at the age of 5.

“Being a student at Shaw’s National Karate Institute helps me maintain discipline, keep in shape physically and mentally, and drives me to do well academically at school,” said Jaden, who has been a recipient of academic achievement awards at school the past three years.

David, of Mount Laurel, and is a third degree black belt at National Karate Institute, located at 9 W. Main St. in Moorestown. David, 15, attends Lenape High School, where his favorite subjects are mathematics and history. He will compete in Forms, Weapons and Point Sparring. He began taking karate when he was 3.5.

“Training at National Karate Institute helps me be more disciplined, more physically fit, and has become a way of life for me,” said David. “And I have made positive friendships as well.”