Judo student, 15, realizing potential through raw energy, talent, hard work
By Randall P. Lieberman
Special to Neighborhood Post
Wednesday, July 12, 2006

Karyna Martinez of Boca Raton has grown up with a fascination for Asian culture, primarily Japanese animation art and all forms of self-defense and fighting.
After studying aikido for a few months and kung fu for two years, Martinez, now 15, took up judo three years ago at the urging of a friend from school. She joined the Tomodachi Judo Club and has become one of the club's hardest-working and most enthusiastic members.

"I liked kung fu, but it isn't as competitive as judo," Martinez said. "In kung fu, you concentrate on the self, the inner chi, like yoga. Judo is more of a sport. I figured if I was going to do it, I might as well compete. Now, I love it. It's my life."
"Judo is in Karyna's heart and soul," said Tomodachi club president Mike Szrejter. "She's one of a core group of 10 to 20 students we have that want to enter every single tournament. She's not being pushed by her parents. She's pushing herself."
Szrejter thinks if Martinez keeps up her work that she could compete one day in the Olympics. In order to get better, Martinez, who will be a sophomore at Boca Raton High in the fall, would like to go to Tokyo to study at The Kodokan Institute, the world headquarters of judo.
"That my sensei [teacher] thinks I can go to the Olympics is a very good compliment," Martinez said. "Not a lot of people can say that."
While excited about their daughter's potential success in judo, Libuse and Mario Martinez think the sport has helped her mature.
"I'm a very lucky mom," Libuse said. "Karyna is just a great kid. She has patience and determination and thinks about the repercussions of her actions. A lot of that comes from judo."
Added Mario: "Karyna has really flourished in judo. From her very first tournament, people have said she has a talent for it. She still has the desire to compete. Her fighting style is evolving from raw energy to a technique which is more refined."
At the Sunshine State Games in Miami in mid-June, Martinez faced a stern test when she met Veronica Prado, 16, of North Lauderdale. Prado is a nationally ranked competitor who has already won a Senior National championship and has competed on a Senior Pan American Championship team.
Martinez lost to Prado twice, but held her own against her more experienced opponent, who is four belts ahead of her in rank (Prado is a black belt; Martinez is a blue belt).
"I was amazed. I stood there and actually gave her a run for her money," Martinez said. "If you want to learn, you've got to fight more experienced people."
Szrejter was very pleased with Martinez's performance against Prado.
"I'm very, very proud of her," he said. "Karyna held her own. When one of the matches was over with, I thought she had the opportunity to win. That's the type of world-class person she'll be facing on the road to the Olympics."
Martinez will likely get a chance to face Prado again when Tomodachi hosts the 37th annual U.S. Judo Association Junior Nationals at Florida Atlantic University on Saturday and Sunday. The event will be held at FAU's main gymnasium.
This is the second time the club has hosted the event. Tomodachi also hosted the Junior Nationals in Boca Raton in 2002.
"I'm very high up the ladder in the USJA and I'm very proud to be a part of it," said Szrejter, who has been on the USJA board of directors since 1999 and is a former president and vice president of the organization. "We are very well-known for putting on tournaments properly. We will probably have 15 to 20 club members competing, but 50 or more people running the tournament.
"All the money we raise will help our students in some way," Szrejter said. "None of our teachers or coaches receive any payments. We would love to have people come out and see what the sport of judo is about."

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