Young Martial Artist Jake Strickland from Columbus, Georgia impresses the heck out of me every time I see him compete. Another instructor from my school and I saw him compete at the 2000 Southern Open and were in awe of the fact that, not only was he awesome at forms (we couldn't get over the fact that we were seeing a ten-year-old landing 720's), but he was equally good at sparring, earning our respect for sparring against and beating a kid that had a foot and sixty pounds on him. Jake began competing as a black belt in the middle of 2000, placing at the upper end of his divisions, but he's really shined in 2001, his first full year as a black belt. Jake has beautiful basics (especially his side kick) and awesome tricks, not to mention captivating intensity. My friends who I subject to watching tournament videos get chills watching Jake because of how intense he is, and it's even more affecting in person. He's basically on top now, and keeps on improving.
Last update: 28 November 2001 |
Galleries 2001 IKC Challenge 2001 Alexander Championships 2001 Southern Open |