Over time, the practice of karate will allow 12 year-old Valley East resident Zack Savoie to become increasingly self-aware - but that will take time.
Competing at his very first tournament earlier this fall in Timmins, the grade 7 student at Ecole St Thérèse was likely more surprised than anyone when he captured gold in his kata and bronze in kumite (sparring).
"I really did not know how well I did because I only tend to see it from my eyes, not like those around me," said Savoie, one of four athletes who represented Hanmer Wado Kai at an event that was hosted by P.O.P. Wado Kai in Timmins.
"I didn't know if I did that good, but it turns out that I did."
Now an orange belt and working diligently this winter on mastering the katas that will allow him to jump to green belt, Savoie first started in the sport some three years ago, holding close the pre-conceived notions that so many kids have regarding the martial arts.
"I thought it was going to be like in the movies, but it was totally different," noted the elder of two boys in the family who was joined on the podium in Timmins by clubmates Kaleb Plante (bronze - kata) and Alex Savoie (bronze - kata).
"It wasn't as fast. We start slow and then progress in small steps. You have to start with the basics: the basic punches and the three different blocks. If you don't learn them, you won't learn katas."
Though his results might suggest otherwise, Zack actually favours kumite to kata, with his focus in that area now largely targetted on a need for quicker punches.
As for the success he enjoyed with his kata, Savoie acknowledged that during his performance, his mind might wander, at times - or might not.
"When I do my kata, I either think of nothing or I think of the next two or three moves, thinking of ways to "perfectionize" the moves," he said. "I might focus on hip movements, getting my hips up, or making sure the turn is right."
With more competitions planned for later this winter, it sure sounds like the development of a sense of self-awareness has already begun for Zack Savoie.
