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= NEWS WATERLOO YOUTH KICKING THEIR WAY INTO THE RECORD BOOKS = THREE DIFFERENT = KIDS WORLD “RECORDS BROKEN : ON JULY 22 AT & WATERLOO GYM = 2 ROBERT WILLIAMS z rober records that were set at the Shamuon Generation of Martial Arts Gym in Water- loo on Saturday, July 22. Kids World Records is a database dedicated specifi- cally to youth achievement. Record attempts are docu- mented and submitted, and then reviewed before new rgia-May Hatto, 14, takes a deep breath and stares down the pad. Behind her, Master Tom Shamuon quips in: "look straight and open your ears." yuntdown from ten, and then Hatto starts kick- ing. Over the next minute, she roundhouse kicks the pad 19. roe a eee onal best by more than 20 kicks — “that's definitely the adren- alin," she said with a laugh afterwards. It's also now the Kids World Record, one of three records Up next is Navilyn Wightman, also 14, t on the makeshift pad that stands seven feet high, or a little over two metres. The cameras are set up, another countdown from he and Wightman takes off, unching herself up and pent striking the tar- get with her: foot. t's a su arking the second youth record of the day, this time for the highest. unassisted kick category. To finish off the morn- ing, it's time for Ei Wright, 13, and Kayleigh Wightman, 12, to take cen- a ee 1 Bo Blade photo Three youth world records were set in Kitchener on Saturday at the Shamuon Generation of Martial Arts Gym in Waterloo. From left: Ethan Wright, 13, Navilyn Wightman, 14, Silvana Shamuon, Georgia-May Hatto, 14, and Kayleigh Wightman, 12. tre stage. oO are after the most kicks set by a pair in ne minute, and it's an ex- ercise in precision, timing and connection with your partne! "He's one of my best friends, so we know each other so well. So, before we start, I'm just hoping that during the Dog Days of Summer! Stay cool with this fantastic deal on your daily local news, BROUGHT DIRECTLY TO You! Subscribe to the Waterloo Region Record print edition and SAVE 59% OFF WEEKEND HOME DELIVERY. per week* Journalism Take advantage of this great offer by calling 1-800-210-5210 and quoting CNWRIO9 or visit wroffer.ca/deal/CNWRI99 to secure the rate. + Trusted, Award-Winning * Local news when you need it * Complimentary Digital Access * Complimentary ePaper access we can do what we prac- tised ant synchronize properly,” said Wightman. "I'm just in my head," adds Wright. "It almost goes blank, and then I just start counting with each kick, saying to myself, ‘hit, hit hit.” After one minute, the two have amassed 176 kicks, and have also set their own record. four are now Kids word Record holders, and it isn't even lunchtime yet. "World record holder? Yeah, it sounds ‘etty good," said Navilyn Wight- man. The four martial artists have grown up together in the gym, often training be- tween five and six days a week. They have built a strong bond, and it's something Master Shamuon takes great pride in fostering. "Whether it's martial arts or it's a different sport, the point is that you' training kids to work hard at something, and when you get to see a day like to- day, it's a special moment," he said. Shamuon knows how far he can push them — his children have all gone on to national and international success in the discipline. WATERLOO REGION REC His daughter, Silvana Shamuon, has now turned those years of practice into online success, with one million Instagram follow- ers and over 250,000 You- Tube subscribers. She holds two Guinness World Records in the mar- tial arts space and was driver behind Saturday's event for the youth records. it was undeniably a proud moment for her, she said, but it was alsoateach- ing moment for the others in the ro "This could beany one of our students as long as you want to make it happen for ," she said to the enough t [Oo bein ol Teetenta ry school. “Ifyou train enough, you will be up here one day. I'm not going to say you can be, you will be if you want to make it happen for your- self." ORD waterloochronicle.ca