Entertainment Report
Medford’s ‘Karate Kid’ aspires to be a world champion
MEDFORD, Massachusetts (WBZ) — He’s Medford’s Karate Kid, and he could become a World Grand Champion. Neil Anderson is just 9 years old, but he is challenging some of the best karate competitors on the planet.
“He always practices all of the time, and that is what makes him great,” says his Sensei Ninja Nguyen, owner of Extreme Ninja, “I told his Dad when he comes in, this kid has got talent. He should compete.”
The talented youngster battles in numerous disciplines from weapons to hand-to-hand combat. He has been winning tournaments up and down the East Coast over the last year. He even won a knife tournament having never done it before.
“They had something to the tune of 40-42 rings. This actually looked like a Karate Kid tournament,” laughs Neil Anderson Sr., talking about one of his son’s competitions in Baltimore.
“When you compete a lot, other people see, and other people like to invite him,” explains Nguyen.
All of the wins caught the attention of the karate world. He was invited to compete in the virtual World Championships. He creates videos of his form and routines, and then submits them to be judged. The winners go through a series of tournaments, and eventually the champions all face off to be crowned Grand Champion. Anderson Sr. is often the photographer for these videos, but occasionally he finds himself in the action.
“I am always a training dummy! I am a professional punching bag!” he said.
Young Neil got into the sport after watching Karate Kid. He liked seeing someone overcome a bully to win a karate tournament. As successful as Anderson has been at such a young age, he first had his doubts.
“I looked for dojos for a while, but I got scared. I ran out of a few of them,” remembers Neil, “I liked it, and just kept doing it until I overcame the fear.”
When he gets older, Neil wants to open his own dojo, so he can teach other children. He already assists in the teaching of some classes at the dojo now. He may even have his sights set higher.
“He watched the Olympics this past year, and he would love to compete as a karate athlete,” Anderson Sr. said.
Please note: This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.
The-CNN-Wire
™ & © 2023 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved.
By: Pristine Villarreal
February 21, 2023
Latest Instagram Posts
☕️ Social Time with Thalia & Jerry. What are you going to be for Halloween? 🎃
Labor Day traffic is picking up in Palm Springs. If you’re heading out, our Maria Noble Valdez has what you can expect on the roads here. Be sure to stay tuned with NBC Palm Springs and nbcpalmsprings.com for more Labor Day coverage #LaborDay #LaborDayTraffic #PalmSprings #TrafficUpdate #i10
Who makes the NBC Top 3, winner will be announced Sunday night on NBC Palm Springs, with the player who makes the number one spot winning a $250 prize from @hondaofthedesert! Comment below if it will be 1) Cael Woody with the dot under pressure, 2) Tatum Webster with the pass breakup, 3) Ivan Garza with the rushing TD, 4) Sean Meza with the toe tap, or 5) Jesus. Valenzuela with the strong hands #fypage #fridaynightlights #top3 #hondaofthedesert
Me On A Plate is back! We head over to @tacquila_ps to talk to chef David Arreguin about his love of spice, being the seventh of nine children, and his drive to always follow his passion. Check it out now on our website nbcpalmsprings.com
Nearly a year after wildfires tore through Mountain Center, the scars are still visible along the Palms to Pines Highway. Now, fire crews are working to repair those burn areas and reduce the risk of flooding, erosion and mudslides when heavy rain arrives. The work includes fire-line suppression repairs, water bars and other measures designed to slow rainwater and keep burned soil from washing away. CAL FIRE Riverside County Battalion Chief Ryan Lubin says the steep terrain, dry brush and limited access continue to create challenges for mountain communities. With El Niño conditions expected to bring periods of heavy rain, officials say preparing now could help protect homes and communities from the aftermath of wildfire. The message from firefighters: preparation can save lives. Read the full story at NBCPalmSprings.com. #MountainCenter #Highway74 #PalmsToPines #CALFIRE #Wildfire WildfireRecovery FireSafety CoachellaValley SanJacintoMountains
Gas prices in Riverside County are climbing toward $6 a gallon — and that’s more than $1 higher than this time last year. A 15-gallon fill-up now costs about $86, leaving many drivers wondering how much longer they can absorb the rising cost. On this week’s Roggin Report, Fred Roggin and the panel debate how expensive gas is changing the way people travel, work and live — and why prices are so much higher here. Watch the full conversation at NBCPalmSprings.com. #RogginReport #FredRoggin #GasPrices #RiversideCounty #CoachellaValley
As the Lindsay Clancy trial begins to close, discussions regarding postpartum mental health and postpartum care have began to draw attention to the level of care needed after childbirth. Maria Noble Valdez looked at this discussion locally with a mental health expert and mom here in Coachella Valley. #lindsayclancytrial #pospartum #mentalhealth #760 #nationalnews
EVEN PARKING HAS A VIP SECTION? A mall in Bakersfield is charging shoppers up to $10 a day for preferred parking spots closer to the entrance. So we had to ask: Would you pay for a better parking spot? And could paid parking eventually come to Valley malls? Fred Roggin and the panel weigh in on this week’s Roggin Report. Would you pay $10 for a prime parking spot? #RogginReport #FredRoggin #CoachellaValley #PalmSprings #Parking
📞 Call 760.466.0800 or visit DAPHealth.org to schedule your appointment today! Flu viruses change every year, and getting vaccinated is the best way to strengthen your immune system, lower the risk of severe illness or hospitalization, and protect your loved ones. Sponsored by: DAP Health
A wedding day they’ll never forget. 💍🌊 A couple in the Philippines refused to let monsoon flooding wash away their special day — exchanging vows while standing waist-deep in floodwaters. Talk about making a splash on your wedding day! #WeddingDay #Philippines #Flooding #Monsoon #Wedding #Love #NBCPalmSprings