At only eight years old, Squamish's Maddix McReynolds has his eyes on earning a black belt.
But first, he's flying to Halifax with some of his teammates to grade and compete in taekwondo.
For McReynolds — who began ninja training at four, then taekwondo at five — the opportunity arises from plenty of practice. In the last month, to prepare for the competition, he's been training between four and seven days a week. It's a routine he usually keeps up for 90 minutes, five days a week throughout the year.
Reached between matches at a competition — where McReynolds earned gold in fighting and sparring, and silver in forms — coach Carl Fortin told The Chief eight years old is considered young to earn a black belt in taekwondo.
Fortin leads the competition team for Squamish Martial Arts and has three other Squamish teammates competing in Halifax this year. McReynolds will be the youngest.
"He's training at an adult level," Fortin said. "The curriculum is the same for a child as it is for an adult. The only difference is there is a designation, so they would be getting a junior black belt. But they have the same requirements which include, obviously, the physical skills."
Fortin estimates that McReynolds has been to more than 20 competitions since he was five, and regularly takes home medals (although McReynolds says his focus is not on the medals, but on enjoying himself and doing his best).
"He's definitely ahead of the curve… He's got a lot of experience under his belt for a young man," Fortis said.
"The tenants of taekwondo are an important component, so those are courtesy, integrity, self-control and indomitable spirit... It comes down to training etiquette and character more so than skill, I would say."
Since he has a full training schedule (and school), The Chief interviewed McReynolds and his mom via email.
Of taekwondo, McReynolds said, "I liked the moves when I first sat in and watched a class. I really like my coach, teammates, and find the push rewarding. I love sparring, and board breaking."
When asked if people are surprised to hear the eight-year-old is already going for his black belt, he says, "Oh yes, for sure."
His mom Ashley credits his coaches and teammates for helping him progress so well in the last three years.
"He likes the intensity of the push, and the drive he gets from his coaches, with that comes a lot of encouragement from each of his teammates and his coaches," she said.
In November, McReynolds will travel to the other side of the country to find out what he's made of.
"I hope to do the best I can and get my black belt," McReynolds said.
"When they earn a black belt, they also earn the responsibility that comes with it," Fortin said. "Now they have peers looking up to them for guidance. So that will be the next level in his training — is being a good role model to his juniors."
