THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, October 20, 1994 TAG: 9410190179
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 22 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY CRAIG PARKER, CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Medium: 71 lines
As a child, Wayne Spencer was always the first person in line at the old Chadwick Theater in downtown Suffolk when Kung Fu or Bruce Lee movies were playing.
His interest continued to grow until he not only became heavily involved with martial arts, but reared his son, Matthew, to love the sport as well. Not only do they love it, but they have both done well in Tae Kwon-Do competition.
Wayne grabbed a gold medal in the sparring division of the U.S. National championships in Atlanta this year, and Matthew captured a first in sparring and a third in form at the Virginia state championships, earning an invitation to the 1994 U.S. Junior Olympic Nationals in Chicago.
``There were competitors from faraway places like Hawaii and Alaska,'' said Wayne. ``The rules are very strict and they are very big on respect at the nationals.
``You are judged from the time you step onto the mat - even for the way you bow.''
Although Spencer was hooked on martial arts as a child, he did not begin his training until 1976 when he was stationed with the Army in Japan. He studied Aikido for 15 months and Kyodakash Karate for a year and was the only American in an all Japanese class.
After his service time, he practiced Kindui-Ryu Jiu-Jitsu at Portsmouth's Armed Forces YMCA for another year. Then he and his son, then 6, enrolled in a summer Tae Kwon-Do program at the Suffolk YMCA in 1991.
The two have been practicing and studying the sport ever since. They currently attend classes at the Korean American Tae Kwon-Do Academy where they are tutored by Woody and Gloria Crook of Smithfield.
Wayne says Tae Kwon-Do incorporates the abrupt linear movements of Japanese Karate and the fluid circular patterns of Chinese Kung Fu.
``It stresses kicking because the legs and feet are quicker and more powerful,'' he said. ``And contact or blows to the face are legal.''
Both have won numerous trophies and medals in the many tournaments they have entered. And one of the highlights has been meeting many martial arts stars such as Chuck Norris and Bill ``Superfoot'' Wallace.
Although Tae Kwon-Do will become an Olympic sport in the year 2000, Matthew's dream is being in the movies.
``I want to be like him,'' he said, holding up a card of martial arts star Jean Van Damme.
He is already in the some films - home videos that mother Lynn takes. She shoots every round of each competition so the two men in her life can review the films and study their competitor's forms and techniques.
She recalled how painstaking it was to watch Wayne during his black belt test last July. It consisted of three consecutive one-hour demonstrations - kicking and punching, forms and sparring.
During the final hour, the instructor kicked Spencer in the ribs and unknowingly broke some ribs. In spite of the injury, Spencer passed the test and even did 100 pushups afterward.
One of Spencer's goals is to open his own school and proceeds would help pay for his participation in various tourneys. The travel and lessons are quite expensive.
However, he wants to pass his skills to a younger generation.
``It's like the kids become a part of you,'' he said. ``They learn that there is a thin line between defender and attacker.
``I teach them to always avoid confrontation and learn to walk away.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MICHAEL KESTNER
Matthew and Wayne Spencer are a father and son Tae Kwon-Do team, and
both have won state and national titles. They also have met martial
arts stars such as Chuck Norris and Bill ``Superfoot'' Wallace.
by CNB