SOMEONE YOU SHOULD KNOW
A Black Belt & a Smile
By Vicki Forrester
Featured in Central Florida Lifestyle magazine, March 2008.
After an early interest in martial arts, Marc Canonizado has become an expert in forms, weapons and fighting - and will soon compete at the Martial Arts Olympics in Russia.
YOU might say Marc Canonizado of Waterford Lakes was born with martial arts in his blood. He's been competing for more than 14 years. At age 3, he took an interest in martial arts by watching his father train. A black belt in tae kwon do, his father, William, succumbed to the constant pleading and enrolled his son at a local Orlando martial arts school. Canonizado was soon hooked; the telltale sign was his broad smile.
He began training at age 5 and was awarded a black belt when he was 8. From his early beginning in the sport to becoming the top rated adult competitor he is today, Canonizado will have a chance to prove himself one more time when he goes to St. Petersburg, Russia, in April to compete at the Martial Arts Olympics, also known as the East-West Open.
Award-Winning Aerial Skills
Canonizado was selected to represent the United States at the Martial Arts Olympics by the International Marital Arts College, Interstate Federation USA. He will be competing in the forms and weapons category and will also give a demonstration of his talent during the opening ceremonies.
With aerial skills that defy gravity, coupled with expertise that earned him the reputation and nickname Mr. Precision, Canonizado has achieved many notable accomplishments such as being an eight-time North American Sport Karate Association (NASKA) and International Sport Karate Association (ISKA) Weapons and Forms Champion, and three-time NASKA All-Around Youth Black Belt (top ranked in forms, weapons and fighting). He also has more than five SportMartialArts.com Viewer's Choice Awards including best adult forms, best adult weapons and best overall adult competitor in 2006.
Straight Up
Canonizado has proudly represented the United States, earning numerous grand champion wins around the world, and has won some of the most competitive tournaments in the country. He is also a proud member of world-renowned team Straight-Up, one of the top competitive teams in the sport karate world, under the direction of Joe Greenhalgh, Sr.
In addition to tae kwon do, Canonizado has trained in capoeira, kung fu and even gymnastics at Broadway Gymnastics in Orlando under the guidance of Olympic Gold Medalist Scott Johnson. He is also an expert in weapons (Kamas, nun chucks, bo staff, sword and escrima sticks).
When he isn't traveling the world to compete, conduct a seminar or perform a demonstration, Canonizado is lead instructor and co-owner of the Florida Sports Martial Arts Academy (FloridaSportsMartialArts.com). No stranger to the mass media, he has many television, video and print credits to his name, including being featured in the ISKA championships on ESPN/ESPN2 and the Sunshine Network, and at the 2003 Battle of Atlanta on CNN. And, like many other martial artists, he shares the secrets to his success in instructional videos.
On His Way to Olympic Champ
Canonizado has a broad range of talents and interests that include dance (break-dancing, hip-hop, Latin and jazz), basketball, football, tennis, baseball, swimming, soccer, rollerblading, biking and volleyball. You might wonder where he finds the time-and if his energy can be bottled.
He's not a flashy fellow, however. He is low-key and has a down-to-earth attitude that makes everyone around him comfortable. He performs well because he loves what he does, and his skill is a result of his love for the art. People often want him to win because he's a regular, nice guy. Be sure to look for news of Canonizado at the Martial Arts Olympics East-West Open. He's always the one wearing the trademark smile.
For sponsorship information and details on the event, visit imacusa.net.
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