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Cole Eckert 

EVERY JOURNEY BEGINS WITH THE FIRST STEP.  This idea is the foundation of everything that Second Degree Black Belt Cole Eckert uses for his motivation to become the Nation’s top competitor. 

Cole Eckert has been doing Karate most of his young life.  He began when he was 4 years old, now 9; young Eckert has achieved much success in his Martial Arts career.  When he first began karate he could not be kept out of a Dojo.  He would spend countless hours practicing and with every step would practice a hand combination or kick.  That has never stopped.  He spends more time in a Dojo than anywhere else.  Cole has always been extremely focused and driven to succeed.  Cole earned his black belt at age 6 and quickly became noticed by many.  He has competed in over 80 tournaments across the US and Canada and has made a name for himself as one of the best martial artists today. 

In January 2004, Cole tried out for and made Sidekick International, a National team based in Reston, Virginia.  John Chung, a 7-time World Forms and Fighting Champion and coach of Sidekick International demands high-quality training from his team members.  After making Sidekick, Eckert began to train with Sensei Chris Brewster from Team AKA out of Chicago, Illinois.  This training group is overseen by Sensei John Sharkey Jr. and has developed many world champions and famous Hollywood actors.  With the countries top trainers and competitors backing young Eckert, his future path is well defined.  By August of 2004, he found himself in his first nighttime stage performance in South Carolina.  To compete in a nighttime event, at an event like this one, a competitor must beat 17 year and younger competitors in two days of eliminations.    By October, Cole won his first World Title in Forms at the AKA Grand National Tournament in Chicago, Illinois.  Young Eckert’s success has not stopped there.  He has grown stronger and more competitive and is motivated by those older competitors that draw the crowd. 

When Cole is not traveling to one of his 4 circuits tournaments, he trains locally at The Edge in Stillwater, MN under the direct instruction of Mr. Nathan Thorn, who not only supports Cole’s desire to be the best but also walks a similar path of competition.  Both Eckert and Thorn are currently competing nationally and finding success together.  Mr. Thorn has been instrumental in helping Cole become a higher-level martial artist.  Upon entering any ring for competition, Cole reminds himself of what Mr. Thorn has taught him:  “Once you win the first Grand Championship, the rest will be easier”.  Eckert won his first NCKA Overall Grand Championship in Eau Claire, WI at the beginning of April and has gone on to win 3 in a row.  This is rare in the competition arena and unheard of for a 9 year old who must take out the “big boys” to be an overall grand champion.  At the last NCKA tournament for the 2004-2005 season, Cole was honored with the number 1 seed in Creative Forms, Creative Weapons, Musical Forms, Traditional Forms, and Traditional Weapons for all 17 years and under boys. 

Cole’s success has continued to grow as he now draws the crowd himself.  He is currently NASKA ranked No.1 in Creative Forms, Creative Weapons and Traditional Weapons, No 2 in Traditional Forms and No 3 in Musical Forms.  He recently won 4 WSKF World titles in Creative Forms, Traditional Forms, Musical, and Creative Weapons in New Orleans, LA, making him a 5-time Forms World Champion. 

Cole will continue to pursue many other titles throughout this year as he travels 3 National circuits of competition.  To be able to compete at this level, Cole will train for 12+ hours a day at least 6-8 days a month, while maintaining a regular class schedule at The Edge and doing gymnastics and acting classes for performance enhancement.  He will train with his Chicago based training team every weekend he isn’t competing and attend a month long karate boot camp this summer.  He will participate in 2-3 tournaments a month and instructs private lessons for upcoming martial artists who are interested in competition. 

Besides Karate, Cole plays La Crosse, Baseball and Golf.  He loves to ski and swim, but always finds time for the love of his life… Karate.  He is an excellent student at Stonebridge Elementary in Stillwater, MN.  Cole has dreams of sharing his experiences with all those who have a common interest and someday hopes to find a career that uses the skills he has developed both physically and mentally in his journey to be the best Martial Artist.  For Mr. Eckert it is not just Karate, it’s a way of life.  He is inspired by many who train him, those who compete against him, and lives by his karate oath of dedication:  

When I train or compete, I will always enter the ring with poise and confidence.  I must remember I am a Black Belt of only one day.  I present myself to the judges with many things on my mind.  It is I, whom has trained harder.  It is I, whom is more focused and dedicated, than those who compete against me.  My enthusiasm for all I do, will define the champion in me.  My commitment will prove my respect for leadership, and allow me to be a leader.  Integrity will build the champion.  Perseverance and passion will fuel the successful competitor that I want to be.  I am on a journey, where being focused is the only path I know.  I am a Black Belt of only one day.