Karate Kid
Martial arts challenges come easy to Vance, reports SUJITH KRISHNAN
Karate is one of the most dynamic forms of martial art. More than physical strength, it is the synchronization of the mind and body that authenticates a good Karateka, which is why the case of Vance Pal is a revelation of sorts.
At the tender age of nine, Vance has won a host of laurels at a recent Karate competition held at the McKinnon Secondary College in Melbourne, having taken up the art less than three months ago! He clinched first place, won two Championships and also received two trophies in the Mixed Under-11 Kumite (fighting) and Mixed Under-11 Karta categories. If that wasn’t enough, Vance added two more medals to his belt – one for reaching the semi-finals in Sword Fight and another in the Summo competition. In Sword Fight, he beat a brown belt with stripes (whose next graduation is the black belt) to reach the semi finals. Vance was three points up and just a solitary point away from reaching the final, when he was dealt a blow in the eye during one of the rounds.
Being an ardent Bollywood buff, it was the action sequences in these movies that lit up the spark within Vance to engage in something adventurous, thus prompting his father to enrol him in the Kendo Karate Club. For someone to succeed in Karate at such a young age, Vance cites essential attributes such as concentration, dedication and patience as imperative, and something that comes naturally to this youngster. “But the most most challenging,” says Vance, “are the set movements in Karta (for each movement there is defence and attack along with other components), which I find confronting. Moreover, the going gets tough in competitions, it is important to pull something extra out to excel.”
Vance draws inspiration from his father, Vinny Pal, who is also a martial artist, and aspires to be just like him. “My family has been the driving force in my success, providing constant encouragement and support to me,” says this Grade 4 student who excitedly looks forward to returning home after school and practising his moves once he’s through with his homework. He trains about five times a week. A sports enthusiast with an interest in track and field events, cricket and footy to name a few, Vance enjoys going to the park to kick the ball around with friends and family and like most kids his age, he enjoys playing computer games.
Having progressed to the red belt, he is confident about securing the insurmountable black belt in due course. “I strongly believe that currently I am prepared to acquire another two belts if given the opportunity in the next graduation test,” says this confident youngster. Despite his many aspirations, Vance’s ultimate goal is to achieve the best possible results in school and make his parents proud.
With an elder brother and two elder sisters, I was curious to find out if they ever try to knock him down over petty squabbles, but Vance says it’s all in good spirit and a whole lot of fun being with them. But now that he is a champ, he manages to easily run away from his mother when he lands himself in trouble!
