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Tonae’ Mayer

Nine year old Tonae’ Mayer was born at Fort Benning, Georgia, The Home of the U.S. Infantry and a  part of the tri-community area along with Columbus, Georgia and Phenix City, Alabama. She is an honor student at St. Ann’s and loves art, creative writing and gymnastics. Tonae’ started martial arts training at Won’s Martial Arts when she turned four years old and received her Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do at the age of seven. 

Tonae’ was a green belt when, in 1999, she competed in her first tournament, The International Karate Circuit (IKC) Challenge promoted by Ms. Amy Latta Won. “It was my first time competing and I really liked it, I got a 3^rd place.”   Like so many of the top competitors on the North American Sport Karate Association (NASKA) and IKC circuits, she enjoys the martial arts and competition. This is enjoyment is not diminished just because she didn’t win all the time. Instead, she committed herself to work harder and longer to meet her goal. For Tonae’ the hard work paid off when in 2000 she won a 1^st place at The Battle of Rome in Rome, Georgia. 

Today, Tonae’ is one of the top seeded competitors in the IKC and NASKA for girls 9 and under. She competes in traditional and musical division for forms and weapons as well as point sparring. Tonae’ credits Mr. Won, Jon Boyd and “most especially Ms. Amy” with helping her reach her goals. Tonae is widely known in NASKA for her great side kick and credits Ms. Amy Latta- Won with helping her develop it. 

In 2003, Tonae’ tried out for the Kicking In Christ Kingdom (KICK) Team and made it. She wanted to be a member of the KICK Team so she could “represent God and the martial arts.” As a team member she performs team demonstrations at local churches, civic events and karate tournaments. She is also a member of the 2004 KICK Team NASKA Competition unit. 

Quick to laugh and having an infectious smile, Tonae’ states, “I love being a part of the KICK Team and all the friends I make doing karate. The martial arts teach discipline and respect and loyalty.” I like “sharing my knowledge” and think “Yes, everyone should try and be a student of the martial arts.”

Photographs and story courtesy of
Reporter Roy Redfoot