Old and young alike compete at martial arts tournament Saturday

Don Jacobs, 72, maneuvered around a few kicks from his opponent Randy Brooks, 58. Jacobs went in for the punch and earned a point during a sparring match.

Jacobs, who spent some time boxing during his 27 years in the Air Force, said he prefers the punch.

"Sometimes it's too hard to get my leg that high," he said.

Jacobs and Brooks competed at the Moo Sul Kwan Summer Nationals martial arts tournament at the Arena Building on Saturday. Taekwondo students as young as 5 competed in different categories, including free sparring, form, weapons and breaking.

More than 150 students from a dozen martial arts schools competed throughout the day, said Ralph Hendrickson of Lee H. Park Martial Arts in Cape Girardeau. Hendrickson said there are usually two competitions in Cape Girardeau each year. The summer competition started in 1973 and is held every year.

Xander Caballerd, with Khourie's Black Belts school, performs his form for judges at a martial arts tournament Saturday at the A.C. Brase Arena building. (Elizabeth Dodd)

While younger martial arts students walked away with trophies nearly as tall as they were, black belts prepared to square off in later matchups.

Jacobs, who is approaching his 73rd birthday, said he played sports all his life, including competitive softball up until his 50s. He started learning Taekwondo when he was 69 after some encouragement from his granddaughter.

He trains two nights per week in addition to his five-day gym regimen. Since he had a stroke in 2002, he said his balance has suffered. He continues the training to benefit his health.

"It keeps me a whole lot more flexible and a whole lot more limber," said Jacobs, who has an intermediate-level blue belt.

Hendrickson said Jacobs effectively competes against 17- and 18-year-olds during class.

"The fact that he's 73 means he's a little older and a lot smarter than us," said Hendrickson, an instructor who has studied martial arts since 1973.

Jacobs said likes the challenge of beating "the kids," which he defines as anyone younger than 50.

Brooks, of Sparta, Ill., said he started training about a year and a half ago. Taekwondo helped him lose 40 pounds and improve his health after quitting a 30-year smoking habit, he said.

"You got to start sometime," he said.

Older students compete for better health and camaraderie but younger students use tournaments as an opportunity to gain experience outside the classroom. Barbara Khourie brought ten of her students who study at Khourie's Black Belts of the Faith in Mounds, Ill. Because styles differ and students are not used to their competitors' styles, tournaments give them a chance to use their skills.

"It's a real good learning experience to learn how to defend themselves," she said.

abusch@semissourian.com

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