Chris Welbon Karate Clubs of Plant City had a successful showing at the 2017 AAU Karate Nationals in Raleigh, North Carolina, from June 27 through July 1. One of the competition team members, Devan Jefferson, took home a gold medal in kata (form) and a silver in sanbon kumite (three-point sparring) in the Male 9-year-old Beginner division. The medals were the cherry on top of Jefferson’s first year of competition. He is also a football player and a gymnast.
Know someone who deserves an Athlete of the Week feature? Email Justin Kline at jkline@plantcityobserver.com by the Friday before the next issue.
How long have you been doing karate?
Four years.
What first got you into it?
My mom wanted me to get self-discipline and start paying more attention. They (Chris Welbon Karate Clubs) came to my daycare at Plant City Learning Center, then I started doing karate.
What do you like about your teachers?
That they taught me a lot and they taught me how to do karate, and that they’re really helpful.
Is this your first year competing?
This was my first year in competition.
How would you say you did?
I think I did pretty good, and I trained really hard to achieve my goal.
Where have you improved the most?
I think I got better at kata.
What’s your favorite thing about competing?
Trying hard, and trying to win a medal.
What’s your favorite moment from one of the tournaments you’ve competed in this year?
Whenever I kicked the opponent in the head. It was the last two tournaments.
You got a gold and a silver at AAU Nationals. How happy were you at the end of the tournament?
I was really happy and I felt like I tried as hard as I could.
What’s the most important thing you’ve learned about karate since coming here?
To listen, and not to use karate outside of the dojo.
Do you play any other sports?
I do football and gymnastics.
What’s your favorite sport?
Football.
If you could have any superpower, what would you pick?
To be invisible.
What would you buy with a billion dollars?
A car.
If you could give advice to someone coming to learn here for the first time, what would you tell them?
To practice more and listen.
What sport have you never played, but would like to try?
Lacrosse.
What’s your goal for the next year of competitive karate?
To get better.