September 06, 2009

Who are those flying kids anyway?

The Dragon Karate Team flourishes since its Curb Cup victory.

BY ANNA WEBB -  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Copyright: © 2009 Idaho Statesman

The Dragon Karate Team flourishes since its Curb Cup victory.

If you were lucky enough to squeeze your way through the art-loving throngs at the first Curb Cup last Sunday in Downtown Boise, you might have caught the performance by the Dragon Karate Team.

The young athletes snagged a Critic's Choice Award for their high-flying feats.

The Dragons performed a number of Michael Jackson tributes. Paying homage to the pop star was their own creative choice, said their teacher, or sensei, Pon Inthathirath, even though most were born after Jackson's heyday.

"They've started inventing their own moves, which is a joy to see," he said.

The team includes boys and girls, and a range of ages, from kindergarten to college.

The youngest is Kobe Vui, 5, who might be in luck if a filmmaker were ever looking for an actor to portray the Dalai Lama as a small boy.

Senior team member, and sometimes team instructor, Skyler Irvin, 18, just started his freshman year at Boise State.

He wants to own his own karate school one day.

"I tell people karate is not something I do. It's something I am," he said.

Irvin began studying martial arts when he was 7 and "short, chubby," and unsure of himself, he said.

Martial arts' combination of calm and competitive intensity immediately attracted him.

"In sports like football, you always have one meathead who wants to hit people. In martial arts you have to have respect for others, and for yourself," Irvin said.

Typical of that respect, when the team met up at Capitol Park Saturday, they did their routines without music in deference to a nearby group of adults doing some morning tai chi.

Since the Curb Cup, the team has gotten calls from other groups eager to work with them, including local sports teams and dance troupes, said Laurel Judy, self-confessed "dojo mom."

And the team is eager to spread the word that they're available for hire.

Most of the Dragons compete in regional and national competitions, so they're always trying to raise funds.

The Dragons train at Dragon Bushido Dojo in Boise.

Sensei Inthathirath said martial arts are all about coordination, balance and flexibility - but also happiness. "Especially the first time you get to be up-side-down in the air," he said.

Anna Webb: 377-6431

Source: IdahoStatesman.com