THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, July 3, 1994 TAG: 9407020161
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 23 EDITION: FINAL
LENGTH: Short : 47 lines
Six-year-old Derrick Franklin proudly clutched the 5-foot high trophy.
``It's a lot bigger than I am,'' said the 3-foot, 8-inch Franklin, who weighs in at just under 60 pounds.
Franklin won the handsome award by placing first in fighting in his age group at the fifth annual Busch Gardens Martial Arts Tournament at Hampton University.
He was one of several winners entered from the Authenic School of Karate.
Antonio Monday was first among 13-15 junior black belt contestants in both kata and fighting.
Green belt Tony Johnson, 6, was third in fighting and purple belt Jonathan Johnson, 7, also was third in fighting.
Heavyweight Dexter Steverson, a blue belt, was fourth in men's fighting.
Jennifer Westfall placed first in sparring in the girls 13-14 division for brown belts. A two-sport athlete at Western Branch High School, she also is a cheerleader.
In a short span of about two years, Franklin has progressed to where he soon hopes to secure a purple belt. The green belt holder, who will not turn seven until August 25, practices nearly every day.
``I practice for an hour or an hour and a half all week. Saturday, too,'' he said.
``I started because my mom thought it would be good for me. Now I love it. It's hard work but I'm proud of what I have been able to do. There's just something about it that I really like.
``Getting the purple belt is what I want most of all now,'' said the Simonsdale Elementary School student.
The Authenic School of Karate, now directed by Willie Hunter Jr., is located on Portsmouth Boulevard. It outgrew former sites on High Street and Airline Blvd.
The school began under Willie Hunter Sr. at the Armed Services YMCA on King Street in 1979. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by PAUL AIKEN
A trio of students from the Authenic School of Karate won trophies.
Pictured from left are: Jonathan Johnson, 7, Jeff Hunter and Tony
Johnson, 6.
by CNB