Michael Bonner Hopes to Medal at the World Championships in Portugal in May

Many would be surprised to know that the freshman class has their own Karate Kid—an internationally accomplished one at that. Michael Bonner discovered his interest in karate at a young age. When he was just eight years old, he joined a friend at a local karate class at the Mac Albus Karate School near his home in Nanuet, New York. He was instantly hooked.

What began as a fun activity outside of school soon became a significant part of his life. Bonner is currently a second-degree black belt with experience at the international level, marking him as a highly accomplished karate student.

Specializing in Shukokai Kata, one of the many styles of karate, Bonner is mentored by his sensei Mac Albus who trains Bonner in both mental and physical proficiency. Anyone unfamiliar with karate would appreciate the physical skills necessary to master the art.

“In karate, it is important to have good balance and coordination, but the most important physical skills can be developed by strengthening core and leg muscles. It is also important to understand how different tensions in the body can work against each other to create speed and strength,” explains Bonner.

Training, therefore, is a fundamental necessity for topnotch performers. While preparing for competitions back in New York, Bonner trains seven days a week for two to three hours each day. Here at Boston College, he stays in shape with daily visits to the Plex where he runs and lifts to maintain his strength while also practicing his Kata routines.

Staying in shape is essential to avoid debilitating injuries. Bonner reports that injuries are fairly common, particularly ankle sprains and head trauma with enough force to result in a concussion. Preparation for such injuries requires protective gear including a Gi—the white karate uniform—covered with padded chest protection. Leg protection consists of foot and shin protection that is comparable to soccer shin guards.

Needless to say, Bonner’s physical abilities began to grow exponentially. As his involvement in karate became more intense, he began to aspire to compete on the national and international levels.

In 2006, his sensei recommended him as a strong candidate to compete in the Karate World Championships in Finland where he led the United States team to the bronze medal victory. Two years later, he attended his second World Championship in Switzerland.

Despite his strong record, he admits he did not anticipate his passion for karate to bring him to his current level of international recognition.

“When I started I didn’t realize that there were national or international karate competitions, and I never planned for karate to become such a big part of my life.”

The knowledge that he has taken from his experiences at the two World Championships has been a rewarding gain for the young karate star. By observing and competing amongst the best of the best, he was able to learn a lot from the more experienced fighters who he hopes to emulate one day. He looks forward to continuing his international competitions as a member of the United States team in the future.

He is a student in the Carroll School of Management with a concentration in Finance and Marketing. We wish him luck in the 2010 World Championships in Portugal this May.