Two North Texans Set to Kick-Off Karate’s Olympic Debut – NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth
Karate is making its Olympic debut and two North Texans are ready to fight their way to the top.
Tom Scott will face Japan at 3 a.m. CST on Friday.
Brian Irr takes on Canada at midnight CST on Saturday.
They make up half of the US karate delegation and both happen to train in the same Plano Dojo, the Academy of Classical Karate.
Classes for all ages continue in the dojo, but it was far from normal.
“You can feel a certain vibration and energy all over campus,” said Bryan Nixon, a sensei.
It feels like Christmas in the dojo.
The halls are decked out with everything to do with Olympic Games, cards are covered with signatures and no one can wait to see them at a competition.
“It’s crazy, the two best US fighters in the world come from this dojo. It’s crazy, they’re here and I’m friends with both of them, it’s crazy, “said 13-year-old Alexander Nixon.
Irr is a native of New York City who moved to North Texas to train at the Academy of Classical Karate.
Scott grew up in Richardson, is a 15-time national champion and a six-time Pan American champion.
He met his wife Morgan while at TCU.
“I’m so, so proud. If anyone knows how hard work and dedication pay off, it is them. I get goose bumps talking about it because I’m so proud of him, ”said Morgan Scott.
Scott and Irr compete in kumite, a part of karate.
Points are awarded for punches and kicks on the body and head.
With karate struggling to stay in the Olympics in the future, it would be really historic to bring hardware home.
“Good luck you two. Let’s get this gold! ”Said Alexander Nixon.
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