Anushka Dogra

Only 7 years old and going into the third grade, Anushka Dogra, of Ada, has earned a black belt in Tae kwon do.

She said that she first enrolled in a Tae kwon do class when she was “four going on five. “Many start at such a young age,” said Master Thomas Young Hoon Park, who is her instructor at the Black Belt Taekwondo Academy, “but not many finish.”

There are multiple reasons for young children to quit, he said. “Many people go for a year, but it requires patience, concentration, and discipline to continue. Other kids look at the activity as only a hobby,” said Park.

Anushka, who attends Forest Hills Collins Elementary, keeps up with her studies and is "above her grade level in academics," said her father Munish Dogra. There is an extensive time commitment for the whole family. "After work I hurry home and pick her up in the drive two to three times every week," he said.

“I think it has been a very good experience for her. She really wanted to do it, persisted through and didn’t slack on her studies,” he said.

Anushka chose Tae kwon do, which she pointed out means kicking (tae), punching (kwon) and way of life (do). Although she still likes to dance, she gave up ballet lessons for the experience. “I really wanted to do it,” she said. She also likes to ride her bike, play outside, swim and “wants to do gymnastics.”

She quickly learned the techniques and built both endurance and self-discipline. Her favorite activity is sparring. “She is little, but has a powerful kick and good technique,” said Park. “She uses 100 percent of her power and in almost every spar, even with a boy, (her opponent) is scared.”

The black belt -- which comes after white, yellow, orange, green, purple, purple and white, blue, blue and white, brown, brown and white, red, red and black -- is a sign that the person is a “true professional practitioner.”

The belts repeat themselves on levels know as dans or degrees. Park holds a seventh degree black belt and Anushka has completed the first dan. Each belt level requires a test of skills and techniques but to obtain the black belt, the applicant must demonstrate all of the skills in each of the belt levels in a comprehensive three-hour examination.

Her skills have not gone unnoticed in competition either. In a recent tournament near Lansing, she brought home two gold medals.

While Anushka is considered a fierce competitor, that side is not evident at home, said her parents Munish and Hema Dogra. “In real life, she is not aggressive at all,” Munish said. “She has a calm personality.”

Earning a black belt at such a young age is a major accomplishment. Her mother tried “Goggle” to find out just how unusual it might be. “I think she may be the youngest in Michigan,” said Hema.

Anushka is still waiting for her certificate, which will come directly from Korea from the World Tae Kwon Do Federation. “I am very proud of myself that I achieved the black belt,” she said.

She is from Grand Rapids MI , USA.

John “Hunter” Fitzgerald of Great Falls, Virginia began Tae Kwon Do at the age of five at HK Lee Tae Kwon Do Academy in Herndon, Virginia.   At the age of six, Hunter became a member of the HK Lee Tae Kwon Do Demo Team.  Hunter never missed an exam and through his hard work and determination Hunter earned his 1^st Degree Black Belt at the age of seven.  When Hunter was ten, the HK Lee Demo Team earned first place in the National Demo Team Competition in Mebane, North Carolina.  Hunter continued his training in Tae Kwon Do and, once again never missing an exam, went on to earn his 4^th Degree Black Belt at the age of thirteen.  Hunter is the youngest person in the academy to earn a 4^th Degree Black Belt and is believed to be one of the youngest in the nation to earn such a high level.  In April of 2012, Hunter will assist his father, John J. Fitzgerald, in earning his 5^th Degree Black Belt.  Hunter’s mother and sister are also Black Belts (2^nd Degrees).