Karate kid makes big mark at nationals

Karate kid Adam Lucantonio stands about 140cm high and goes up against male competitors almost twice his size.

Karate kid Adam Lucantonio stands about 140cm high and goes up against male competitors almost twice his size.

But being smaller than most hasn’t hindered Adam’s path to success, with the 12-year-old South Penrith boy taking out the International Sport Karate Association’s Koshiki division in his age group at the 2015 National Championships.

Adam Lucantonio,12, says he can hold his own.

“I think I am pretty tough, I can hold my own,” he said.

“I can move around a lot more than some of the bigger guys and that also gives me an advantage because I can take them down ... I can get to their legs and sweep them (to the ground) a lot easier.”

His mother, Simone, said Adam, who earned his brown belt late last year, started karate in 2014 at Pollet’s Martial Arts Centre in Penrith, where he also takes jiu-jitsu and muay thai classes.

“(Adam) started more for discipline than anything, and to get him into a routine and meet new people,” Mrs Lucantonio said.

Adam Lucantonio,12, is a koshiki champion.

Adam will now face off against black belts in the 12-13 years division. He told the Press he is inspired by two of his instructors and also values advice given by director and head instructor (Hanshi) Ian Pollet.

“He says to never give up and inspires us to be the best we can be,” Adam said.

The rising star, who is nominated for the Junior Sports Star Award, is training hard ahead of the Sydney City Open to be held in Liverpool in May.

Adam is a tough competitor.

Rebel is the major sponsor of the Junior Sports Star awards, with Fox Sports Pulse and Simonds Homes. Nominate now online.