Spring Break
World class Ju-Jitsu
K.C. Vetter
Issue date: 9/6/06 Section: News
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Kaleb Keeran, a Western exercise science alumnus and Justin Wachendorf, junior physical education major, won the 2006 national championship adult duo division for the second consecutive year.
"The boys also got the Best Technique Award which is very distinguished," said Ed Kuras, owner of Shotokan Karate in Macomb. "Usually it's only given for free sparring but they got it for duo."
"The award was presented by the president of the U.S. Ju-Jitsu Federation," Kuras added. "It's a very big deal."
When Keeran and Wachtendorf perform parts of their routine, it is almost too painful to watch for those who are not familiar with the sport.
"There's a certain way to fall so you don't hurt yourself," Wachtendorf said after taking several falls from Keeran. "I've never had any serious injuries."
The fact the guys are two-time national champions does not mean they have been competing since they were young.
"I started karate at 18," said, Keeran, now 26. "I was a law enforcement major (at the time) and my dad wasn't going to let me become a police officer unless I had a background in self-defense."
"I don't think starting earlier would've helped me," Keeran added.
However, Keeran is no stranger to competing at the world level.
At age 18, he was a world champion power lifter.
A two-time duo national champion, Keeran also has a national championship in the brown belt division.
"I'm definitely the egotistical one out of the two of us," Keeran said. "I'll tell everyone. I mean how often do you meet a world champion?"
Wachtendorf started practicing karate only three years ago.
"It sounded like an interesting class," Wachtendorf said.
Keeran and Wachtendorf have been working together for at least two years.
Wachendorf said his goals are simple. "We're going to world so obviously we want to win," he said.
The boys are not the only ones making their way to the top.
Ginny Hooser, freshman pre-veterinarian major, already has several national championships under her belt and recently placed second, qualifying her for the junior U.S. team.
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