In the Clinch Vol.1

“In the Clinch”
By Coach Woodward

Welcome to ‘In the Clinch’, an up close, behind the scenes look at the Elite Fighting Team (E.F.T.) of Team Intense Martial Arts. With Master Catalasan’s permission and support we will bring you inside the inner workings of the E.F.T. As we begin our descent on final approach to the Junior Olympics in Orlando, Florida. We invite you to join us in what will most certainly be an exciting and memorable adventure.

With the Junior Olympics a mere seven weeks away there’s much work to do and little time to do it. We hope you enjoy this blog as we attempt to make you feel part of our family. Without your support and encouragement none of this would be possible. During the next seven weeks we will be profiling all 11 members of the E.F.T. We encourage you to share this blog with family, friends, co-workers and anyone else who might benefit or partner with us in doing what we can to give these dedicated athletes the support they need to accomplish all they’ve set out to do.

As no one fighter is more important than the other, we will post the profiles in chronological order from youngest future champion to oldest. That being said, please enjoy being ‘In the Clinch’ with Seth ‘Comet’ Okerlund.

On May 6, 2010 I had the privilege of sitting down with Seth and getting to know him a little better. At the time of our chat Seth was currently a 5th gup (blue stripe). I asked Seth what rank he was and he told me he’s a blue stripe, “But I’m gonna be a blue belt” (Note: Belt presentation was less than 24 hours away at the time of our interview). Seth quickly tried to correct himself, realizing his blue belt aspirations rested in the hands of Guro. I laughed as I noticed Seth become a little nervous about his answer. Not because he was afraid he hadn’t passed his test, but because he knew that assuming his blue belt was in the bag might be seen as disrespectful. For those of you who haven’t met Seth, trust me, this kid is anything but disrespectful.

Seth, who is now 10 years old, has been training with TIMA (Team Intense Martial Arts) since he was 4 years old. Seth currently studies Tae Kwon Do, Kali/Eskrima and Muay Thai with TIMA. Seth plans to obtain the rank of black belt in all three martial arts. Asked which discipline he favors Seth demonstrated his intelligence with a very politically correct answer, “I like em all the same.” Seth did say he considered Muay Thai to be the hardest of the three because “Guro doesn’t give us breaks.” Once again, Seth realized he may have committed another verbal blunder and asked that I not include it in the interview. Obviously, he has no editorial powers here. As it turns out, Guro got wind of Seths’ feelings about the difficulty of Muay Thai because the very next day, we all received a water break, courtesy of Seth.

Seth said one of the things he enjoys most about TIMA is all the friends he has made during his time with us. Seth listed a few of his friends as Mr. William Garcia, Patrick, Trinity, Sarina, Justin, Ismael and Sara Lee. Seth told me Sara has adopted him as her little brother.

Those of us who’ve watched Comet train on the E.F.T. for the last four years know his endurance to be unsurpassed. I’ve personally watched him run five miles without breaking a sweat. Actually, he never seems to tire. However, there is a discipline Seth finds objectionable.
His kryptonite is ‘Plank Push-ups’, “I don’t like that one.” According to Seth, his worst injury in TKD was when he was back kicked in the face while fighting in Detroit, Michigan at the 2008 Junior Olympics. Those of us who were present will never forget that moment. Seth lay on the mat letting out a blood curdling scream that made the hair on your neck stand up. As my background investigation of Seth unfolded this event popped up again and again as you will see.

Seth told me his most memorable moment in the ring was this years’ 2010 State Championship. His first fight was a back and forth battle for the ages. Seth won by one point in an incredible match-up of two skilled fighters.

Seth’s favorite fighter is Mr. Garcia. He’s also Seths’ favorite sparring partner, “He challenges me. I like that he doesn’t take it easy on me”. What a testament to Seth’s work ethic and Mr. Garcias’ skill as an instructor. (Note: To those not familiar with Mr. Garcia he’s a 21 year old black belt)

Here are some fun facts about Seth you may not have known:
Favorite Movie: Avatar
Favorite Toy: Legos
Favorite Food: Spaghetti
Hero: Ironman
Seth is also an avid off road motorcycle rider.

Seth shared a few of his opinions (when prompted by the writer) about TIMA.
Smartest member: Sara Lee
Fastest Fighter: Seth Okerlund (“Me”)
Favorite thing about TIMA: “Everything”

Seth listed the three most influential people in his life as his mom, dad and Guro. Though I’m not one to inject my opinion where it hasn’t been sought, I think he said dad because Coach Okerlund was sitting next to him. Guro was a no brainer.

If you want to see a cool scar ask Seth to show you the one on his elbow. Seth was playing kickball and running on the blacktop when he slipped on some sand. Seth said it was bleeding, “but I think paper cuts hurt more.”

In my experience as an investigator I’ve discovered if you really want to learn about someone you have to ask those who know them best. That being said I interviewed several of Seth’s team mates to find out what they thought of Comet. Please enjoy what they had to say about Comet.

Coach Steve Okerlund seemed like a logical place to start seeing as he was seated across from me. Coach O said Seth’s time with TIMA has had a big influence on his confidence level in many aspects of his life. A more telling statement (in my opinion) was Coach O saying, “He’s done it for so long it’s normal. The hard work has become part of who he is.” Coach O said his most memorable moment was the 2008 Junior Olympics in Detroit. Coach said not just when Seth was back kicked in the face, but all the activities and sense of family that was born out of that trip.

Coach O’s message to his son was: Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:31.

Ismael described Seth the fighter as; awesome angles, comet fast and coachable. He described Seth the person as random, spontaneous and smart. Ismael’s favorite memory of Seth was when he taught Comet the ‘Quadratic Formula’ in less than 2 minutes.

Not surprisingly, Trinity, Patrick and Coach Kaihewalu all described Seth as smart and quick. Coach K said Seth the person is “very respectful”. Coach K’s favorite memory of Seth also came at the 2008 Jr. Olympics in Detroit following his injury from an errant back kick to the face. “When I think of Seth I think of Detroit. There’s no quit in him.”

Seth’s favorite sparring partner and arch rival William Garcia described Seth the person as; “a good goofy”, “he’s not spastic” and “smart”. Not surprisingly Mr. Garcia also described Seth the fighter as both smart and quick. I’m sensing a pattern here. Looks like Comet is an appropriate nickname. Mr. Garcia’s favorite memory of Seth came at this year’s State Championships. He described the first round fight as “a piece of artwork”.

Guro was not at a loss when asked for her thoughts on Seth. She described him as intelligent, fast and powerful in the ring. Guro said, “he’s small but mighty.” Guro’s favorite memory of Seth also came in 2008 in Detroit. Following a vicious back kick to his face and a trip to the medic Guro told Seth it was ok if he didn’t want to complete the tournament. However, quitting isn’t in Seth’s nature. He looked her in the eye and said “I want to finish.” Guro said “there was a determination in his eyes.”

I’ve known Seth for many years now and I don’t think I can add to what has already been said. He’s a phenomenal young man with a tremendous future ahead of him. I hope you have enjoyed being ‘In the Clinch’ with this amazing young man. If so, please give him a call, email or card to let him know you’re behind him as Orlando beckons. In spite of his amazing courage he shared a level of nervousness at what awaits him in Orlando. I know it will serve to keep him sharp. If you would like to partner with Seth and the rest of TIMA please post words of encouragement. If you desire to donate time, talents or treasure we humbly thank you. Please check back in a few days for our next installment. As soon as I figure out who’s the second youngest member of this unique and formidable group of fighters.

For the Team,
Coach Woodward