Whiz Kid: St. Michael Elementary Student is One Fierce Karate Kid

There are certain things you don’t want to meet in a dark alley – a pack of hungry wolves, an angry mob or 8-year-old Spencer VanDenBroeke.

Why fear a carrot topped second grade boy, with a winsome smile and impeccable manners? Because he is also a martial arts phenom who is within kicking distance of black belt and is the reigning  Diamond Nationals WORLD KARATE CHAMPION in forms.

He is one fierce karate kid. That’s why!

The road to karate black belt will vary from student to student and school to school so all journeys are not the same. As for Spencer, he’s elected to take a rigorous route, pushing himself to the highest level of expertise he can with each belt and level he masters. While many are just starting karate classes at his age, he has only about 18 months left to reach the prestigious title of karate black belt.

This did not come easily. It has taken three years and approximately four times a week at the karate studio to master the forms and skills necessary to advance to each level.

“Most kids wash out by this age. It’s too much time and work and they lose interest and move on to other activities.” Lee VanDenBroeke, Spencer’s father, explains. “It’s a huge commitment, but Spencer loves it and he does well – so it’s worth it.”

Spencer trains at Dojo Karate in Rogers, under the direction of Stephen Hilgart. One of the elements that appeals to Spencer’s parents Lynn and Lee VanDenBroeke – owners of Goin’ Postal in Albertville – is that Dojo only promotes the students when they master all areas of their life. Students may not advance rank without confirmation from their academic teachers that their grades, attendance and attitude at school are exemplary. To progress the ranks, a student must earn so many colored stripes on their belts, both for mastery of karate, as well as “mastery of self”.

“Spencer really excels in karate – he performs with a professionalism and strength that is truly amazing!” shares Spencer’s St. Michael Elementary School principal, Sheila Bichler. “He recently performed at our ‘Reach For the Stars’ event at school and it was truly an impressive presentation – especially for such a young man.”

Spencer explains another requirement for black belt is sparring (contact fighting wearing protective gear). To earn his recent belt of brown, he had to spar against four adult black belts at once – for 10 minutes. The adults were subbed in and out but Spencer had to go it alone against the group.

“I had a lake of sweat in my chin guard!” Spencer proudly tells us, “It was intense!”

Last fall Spencer earned the title World Champion in forms, and brought home a trophy significantly taller than him. This honor was not expected Spencer explains.

“I thought to myself, if I win third I would be so happy. Then I thought well if I win second I will be amazed. I didn’t even think of what I might think if I won first,” he said

In his free time, Spencer enjoys Cub Scouts in St. Michael-Albertville’s Pack 767 and spending time with his proud parents, his dog and his cat.

“What I love to do is rough around with my dad in the family room. I like to wrestle him to the ground and I like it when he does this thing where he kind of… throws me across the room with his legs. It’s really fun!”