Logan Stacey, a student at Summit on the Park’s American Okinawan Karate Academy (A.O.K.A. Canton), will compete in the 2018 World Karate Commission World Championships in Dublin Ireland this October 29 through November 2, 2018.
This 17-year-old student qualified for the WKC Championships in June and will leave for the world championships in Dublin on Friday, October 26. Stacey, a Canton resident and senior at Plymouth High School, began training at the age of 7 at A.O.K.A Canton, held inside the Summit on the Park, located at 4600 Summit Parkway, Canton, MI, 48188.
Now, 10 years later, Stacey has earned the rank of first-degree black belt and is preparing to compete in five different categories at the WKC Championships. Stacey credits the family atmosphere during class for making his karate career so special.
“Being at the Summit on the Park provides more community to the class since it is a recreational center,” Stacey said. “My favorite thing about doing karate is that family it provides you. It’s a group of people I trust and love in addition to my own immediate family.”
A.O.K.A Canton inside the Summit on the Park is led by Sensei Dennis Koss and offers year-round classes for youth and adults in the practice of Isshinryu karate, which focuses on the mastery of natural body movements.
Stacey, who is also taking classes at Michigan Institute of Aviation Technology to someday become a pilot, has spent countless hours at the Summit on the Park, sparring, learning and perfecting his craft. Most importantly, Stacey believes being a student at A.O.K.A Canton has also taught him numerous life skills.
“You not only have to have the skill, but also the heart to get where you want in life. But with now qualifying and actually going to World’s at the end of the month, it’s also important to be aware of your mistakes so that you can learn from them,” Stacey said. “Going forward, with everything I learned about discipline, I can now apply that in many areas of my life to achieve future goals.”
According to Sensei Dennis Koss, Stacey has matured into a committed karate practitioner. “Logan possesses the types of skills that are needed to succeed in martial arts: patience, perseverance, and hours of dedicated practice,” said Sensei Dennis Koss. “The body, mind, and spirit must be developed simultaneously, and Logan remains dedicated to his quest to harness the power of wholeness that will serve him well throughout his entire life.”
Shannon Stacey, Logan’s mother, thanked the instructors at A.O.K.A Canton and the role the Summit on the Park played in Logan’s development.
“Each sensei works outside of the dojo and yet continues to make the time for the classes and their students to ensure that each is able to learn and develop their skills,” she said. “I cannot say how thankful I am for them, the dojo, and the support from the Summit on the Park.”
The A.O.K.A Canton Facebook page, www.facebook.com/AOKA-Canton-291085999293/, has more information about Logan Stacey’s journey and will have updates on Logan Stacey’s results at the WKC World Championships in Dublin, Ireland.
For additional information on A.O.K.A Canton classes that are held inside the Summit on the Park, please call 734/394-5460 or visit our website at www.summitonthepark.org.