Table of Contents
- 1 Mayra’s dad: “They are OUR LITTLE GREAT HEROES. ARGENTS AND PLANTES”
- 2 Cristian De Marco’s legacy reached Antarctica
- 3 Kempo on the way to the World Cup in Portugal
- 4 * How can we, as a society, better support young athletes from disadvantaged backgrounds who are pursuing their passions, ensuring they have access to the resources and opportunities needed to thrive?
Mayra Ruth Martínez started to train a little over a year ago in Argentine Institute of Kempo Karate (IAKK)located on 12th Street between 80 and 81 in the city of La Plata where she is from. He is an orange belt and is preparing to advance to blue before the end of the year, although he already took the biggest prize in this instance, by winning the World Martial Arts Championship in the 50 to 60 kilo category. from 14 to 18 years old.
The young woman competed in the “World Cup Argentina 2024″both in Kata (choreography) and Kumite (combat), in the latter he took the gold medal with 7 points. It is worth clarifying that the fights are evaluated with a score, 10 being the maximum and Mayra reached an unusual number in only 2 minutes 30 seconds that the fight lasts.
Mayra took the gold medal in the 14 to 18 year old category of 50 to 60 kilos.
“I did only one fight because I was the only one who came out with seven points because the other girls all came out with five, so they had to fight to see who was in second and third place,” says Mayra proudly, in dialogue with LANOTICIA1.COM.
“It was good, but there were nerves because there were many Brazilians,” says the young woman and adds that “they looked very good, I have seen some who qualified.”
In this way, Mayra became world champion of Martial Arts breaking several records, not only by obtaining a high score in a single fight, he also has one of the highest lifts (height of the kick) in the gym. “That’s why His teacher said this is going to be my cock”; Ruben tellsthe teenager’s father who introduced her to the discipline.
Mayra wearing the champion medal along with other national trophies she won in the last year.
In addition to the awardskarate “has teachings and values”Mayra explains and exemplifies: “We cannot use it unless it is already mandatory to have to use it because you have no other choice.” And he highlights: “Physically it is also highly recommended, to be honest. It is very nice and you create good relationships with your colleagues and stay well”.
“I would dedicate myself to this, the truth is that it is very nice and I would love to teach and dedicate myself”. And regarding the last award he won, he expressed: “The truth is that I feel very happy, like I can’t believe it, but “Having this medal in my hands makes me feel very, very happy, honestly.”.
The international competition has been taking place in Moreno since 1990 by the Argentine Center School of Chaiu-Do-Kwan (Martial Art). Last year’s edition, which also took place at the San Francisco de Asís Sports Center in the town of La Reja, was declared of municipal interest by the Deliberative Council of Moreno.
San Francisco de Asís Sports Center in the town of La Reja. PHOTO: Facebook. Rebs – Telescopic stands
Among the recitals of the projectit is noted that The institution “organizes the largest open martial arts tournaments in the country and South America.” with a call for 1,500 competitors in each of them.”
Mayra’s dad: “They are OUR LITTLE GREAT HEROES. ARGENTS AND PLANTES”
Ruben Martinez He is the sole breadwinner and also a lover of martial arts, which is why he did not hesitate to take his little girl to the gym he already attended. “We have a champion from the city of La Plata”has in dialogue with LANOTICIA1.COMproud of his 14-year-old daughter’s achievement.
“I believe that not only is it important, but it helps them keep their minds occupied with healthy things. There is a saying among all athletes, not just those who practice martial arts, that Sport gets you off the street, gets you out of vices and helps you grow and mature in a healthy way.“.
Rubén and Mayra’s brothers celebrating the world champion’s triumph.
Mayra’s father He is 62 years old and retired from the Buenos Aires policedespite his meager income, feels that it is worth the effort he makes to cover all the expenses involved in the development of the sport. “MI manage with that and also an extra muff, because we retirees don’t earn so much money.; Contrary to everything anyone might think, the police are terrible at earning two pesos and 50 and we retirees earn less because we are not active enough to make additional payments or anything.”
“It’s not just the Dojo fee, but you also have to buy equipment, professional gloves, protectors, and all of that takes a lot of money. We who are more humble lend each other You see, but hey, when champions come out there, the sponsors jump in.”
Rubén regrets the lack of publicity about the event: “There is something that is fundamental, we have Argentine champions, we have a champion from the city of La Plata which is no small thing, we have a first and a third prize, it is notable but here it is not given much importance.”
And he adds: “But in the world yes, the United States I think that from these days They started uploading the videos because one of their contestants won the biggest prize which is the Grand Champion of Champions, a huge trophy plus a lot of money and being on the list of martial art Champions and that remains forever and is worldwide.”
“The issue is that adolescence begins to leave the streets and dedicates itself to getting into a gym for any sport,” Rubén values and highlights the effort involved because “this has to give rise because she is not the daughter of rich people.” .
“It’s not just the trip, because when you go to a Kumite and on top of that to a world one you pay, it’s not that you go and sign up and go for free,” stands out while detailing: “Physical preparation requires expenses, it is not just eating banana to be well, there are things that people out there who don’t understand sports say well, you can throw a couple of kicks and that’s it.”
Rubén also remembers with great affection Cristian De Marco, founder of the Dojo where Mayra trains and who was her first teacher and trusted her since he saw her throw her first kick. The instructor died this year during a robbery chasebut not before seeing her succeed for the first time in her first kumite. Currently, Axel, Cristian’s son, is the one who accompanied her at the World Cup in Moreno.
Mayra with Cristain De Marco.
Cristian De Marco’s legacy reached Antarctica
Cristian De Marco was deputy commissioner in different areas of the city of La Plata, and died in August of this year, at the age of 52, after suffering a fatal fall trying to stop a robbery. The agent was at his house when a stranger jumped over the wall to steal his bicycle. De Marco ran after him but couldn’t catch up with him and when he returned he suffered cardio-respiratory arrest.
Rubén knows him as a fellow member of the police force and remembers him as a great person, “A great guy, always with a smile, that’s why the kids loved him”says and adds that Mayra wanted to leave the sport when Cristian died: “The great teacher died”.
Jeremías Giménez with his teacher Cristian De Marco.
But Critian’s legacy was extended through his son Axel who continued to train the children and adolescents who attend the Argentine Kempo Karate Institute (IAKK), as well as his students. Mayra left with a goldfish, and her partner Jeremías Giménez (13), also consider, achieved third place in the IX Martial Arts Championship that took place in the Mepa micro stadium Esteban Echeverría.
Jeremías Giménez won third place in his category in Esteban Echeverría.
Jeremías began practicing martial arts invited by Mayra and excited by what he saw in movies, He is a green belt, he is preparing to promote to brown and placed third on the podium in the Kumite (points fight) competition.
Mayra and Jeremías together at the IAKK
Another pride from La Plata is the case of Mauro Esteche that, at 16 years old, He is working as a Martial Arts instructor in Antarcticaand is the only teacher teaching Kempo since the IAKK: “All coming from the same DOJO that Cristian founded”highlights Rubén.
Mauro with Cristian De Marco.
On March 22, The young man landed aboard the ARA Sea King Helicopter at Esperanza Basealong with his family and currently transmits there the teachings he learned from Cristian De Marco.
Kempo on the way to the World Cup in Portugal
Now Mayra dreams of being able to compete in the world tournament that will take place next year and carry the teachings of his first teacher that continue through his son Axel, to Portugalwhere the competition will take place. More precisely it will be competed in the city of Calda Da Reina, from April 21 to 28, 2025. The Argentine delegation is made up of 26 competitors and only two competitors per country and per category participate.
The Martial Arts World Cup in Portugal 2025.
Although it still seems just a dream to Mayranothing dampens your enthusiasm and continues preparing to achieve blue belt. In this task An IAKK alumni is helping her.selflessly and without charging him, “he is going to prepare Kata 3, which is quite difficult,” says Rubén.
This is Lucía Torreswhich in dialogue with LANOTICIA1. WITH tell how is preparing to reach the tournament in Portugal after being selected by the DNKD (National Department of Sports Kempo) and the I.K.F (International Kempo Federation) to represent the country.
Lucía Torres with Mayra Martínez.
The 22-year-old tHe also began his path hand in hand with “the Master, Director and founder of the Institute, kyoshi, Cristian Andres Demarco 8th Dan International”, she proudly notes and remembers that she started “approximately 10 years ago, around the end of 2014.”
“Unfortunately my teacher passed away on August 3 of this year, but his legacy remained intact and the institute is under the direction of her son and current director Axel Andres Demarco, 4th international dan,” proudly notes the young woman who lives in the city of La Plata.
“Currently I do not belong to the Institute, I am exploring my path as an autonomous martial artist,” he explains and gives an account of the efforts he makes to cover the expenses involved in participating in the Championship in Portugal. “With the help of family and friends we are selling raffles, pre-pizzas, sweet things, among other proposals to raise funds for my trip”.
“With the sports focus I’m training with several teachers from different disciplines to be able to prepare correctly for all the categories of this wonderful World Cup,” she says, excited about the possibility of representing the country in the maximum tournament.
* How can we, as a society, better support young athletes from disadvantaged backgrounds who are pursuing their passions, ensuring they have access to the resources and opportunities needed to thrive?
Here are some open-ended questions, divided into thematic sections, to encourage in-depth discussion about the article.
**Section 1: The Triumphs and Challenges of Young Martial Artists**
* **Mayra’s success is inspiring, but what are some of the underlying challenges faced by young athletes from humble backgrounds pursuing their passion? How can we better support them?**
* **The article highlights the importance of mentors like Cristian De Marco. How crucial is a positive and supportive environment for developing young talent in any field, not just sports?**
* **Mayra’s family sacrifices a great deal to support her dreams. What are the broader societal implications of limited access to resources for pursuing extracurricular activities or artistic endeavors?**
**Section 2: The Impact of Martial Arts:**
* **”Sport gets you off the street, gets you out of vices…” How does the article portray the potential social benefits of martial arts, and how might these benefits extend beyond physical fitness?**
* **The article mentions that Mayra’s initiation into martial arts was sparked by watching a movie. To what extent can fictional representations influence young people’s decisions and aspirations, both positively and negatively?**
* **Mayra findsサードプレイス in the Kumite competition. What are the lessons to be learned from both victory and setbacks in competitive contexts?**
**Section 3: Legacy and Continuity:**
* **Cristian De Marco’s legacy continues through his son, Axel, who now leads the Dojo. How does a mentor’s influence extend beyond their physical presence?**
* **What impact might Cristian’s untimely death have on the athletes he trained, and how might they find ways to honor his memory through their achievements?**
* **Mauro Esteche carries the teachings of Cristian De Marco all the way to Antarctica. How can individuals contribute to spreading the positive influence of a mentor or teacher beyond their immediate surroundings?**
**Section 4: Looking Ahead: The World Championship and Beyond:**
* **Mayra aspires to compete in the World Championship in Portugal. What are the personal and external obstacles she may face as she prepares for this international stage?**
* **Lucía Torres, another IAKK alumnus, is also preparing for the World Championship. How do individual journeys and collective spirit come together in supporting a national team?**
* **Beyond the competitive aspect, how can the experience of participating in an international tournament like the World Championship contribute to personal growth and understanding for young athletes?**
