Brittany and Jacob Loder’s young lives revolve around punching and kicking their way to trophies, medals and championships in their parents? dojoe.
Or should it be called by its Korean name dojang.
Probably the latter, since the two Metamora residents practice the Korean martial art known as tae kwon do.
Their superior skills earned them the right and the honor to compete in the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) Junior Olympic Games being held July 24-Aug. 2 at the Rock Financial Showplace in Novi.
More than 12,000 athletes from 50 states will compete in eight age-groups in 22 sports.
‘I think the honor is comparing yourself to all the qualifiers in every state. It is the cream of the crop in tae kwon do,? said father Dr. Brian Loder. ‘It’s an honor just to be among people of that skill level.?
Compared to other forms of martial arts, tae kwon do is ‘more kick-oriented? and ‘more aggressive? as opposed to defensive, according to Brian, who’s a podiatrist with Henry Ford Hospital.
The foot doctor ? how ironic ? and his children practice an offshoot of tae kwon do called tang soo do, which Brian described as a ‘close relative.?
The high-kicking, fast-punching brother-sister duo qualified for the Junior Olympics back in May at a tournament in Midland. Both took home gold medals in sparring.
‘I like the sparring,? Jacob said with a big smile.
Brittany, 12, and Jacob, 10, are both advanced red belts who plan to earn their first-degree black belts this winter.
During the AAU nationals held July 5-6 in Wisconsin, Jacob came away with a gold medal in sparring, while Brittany earned silver and bronze medals for sparring and forms, respectively.
Forms are routines in which a martial artist combines all his or her moves into one display and is judged based on crispness, strength, focus and power.
Jacob’s been practicing tae kwon do for four years, while sister Brittany’s been at it for two years.
‘They actually teach now at our dojoe,? said mother Deborah Loder. ‘Once you become a red belt, you can teach. They’re very good teachers.?
Kids ages 4-13 learn their moves from the Loder siblings three days a week.
Eight months ago, the Loder family took ownership of a martial arts school in Grand Blanc called New World Karate.
To stay in shape, Brittany and Jacob spent three hours a day, five days a week at the dojoe plus 45 minutes at home working out on the treadmill and doing advanced kicks and punches in the family’s boxing ring located in the basement.
‘She lets them have the weekend off,? joked Brian, who referred to his wife as ‘one of the biggest driving forces for both kids.?
Jacob’s the one who got the family started in the competitive world of tae kwon do.
‘Jacob had very natural talent,? Brian said.
Over the years, Jacob’s been a three-time state champion in the Michigan Sport Karate Circuit, a onetime national AAU champion (this year) and has earned approximately 85 trophies.
‘He very rarely doesn’t take some kind of hardware away from a tournament,? Brian said beaming with pride.
Brian, who’s also an advanced red belt, soon got into to it because he wanted to help Jacob learn his forms.
Next thing you know, Brittany got involved and she’s no slouch either.
She was runner-up in the MSKC championships last year and she’s earned a myriad of her own trophies and medals.
And she’s definitely not afraid to face any boys that stand between her and victory.
‘She definitely hits harder, fights harder when she fights boys,? Brian said. ‘She’s more worried about hurting a girl than she is a boy.?
Brian noted that learning tae kwon do and competing has given both of his children more confidence and helped them come out of their shells. Even they lived in the Oxford school district, both children are home-schooled.
‘They’re not afraid to stand in front of hundreds of people and perform,? he said. ‘They’re not as shy anymore. It opened them up.?
Deborah said she’s learned some moves watching her husband and children, but she doesn’t plan to start practicing tae kwon do with them.
But Brian said the fact she doesn’t have a belt shouldn’t fool anybody.
‘Although mom doesn’t compete, she have the strongest drive of all of us,? he said. ‘She gets a game face on when they get in the ring.?
Guess the family that fights together, stays together.