THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, August 15, 1996 TAG: 9608140106
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: THUMBS UP!
SOURCE: BY SHIRLEY BRINKLEY, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: WINDSOR LENGTH: 72 lines
``I want to be the first Miss America to compete in the Olympics. I hope they'll have karate in the Olympics by then.''
Considering Laura Beth's effervescent personality and a room full of awards and trophies won in karate tournaments, her ambitions may not be far-fetched. Since her first karate lesson two years ago, she has competed and excelled in more than 100 competitions and tournaments.
This year, Laura Beth competed in the 1996 Virginia State AAU Karate Tournament in Richmond and won gold medals in Kata (forms), Kumite (sparring) and Kobodu (weapons). This achievement clinched an opportunity for her to represent Virginia in national competition in her age group and travel to Riverside, Calif., with her parents, Gary and Teresa Askew, and sister, Shana, 17.
Planning the family vacation around the Nationals, the family flew to California and went to Disney Land.
At the 1996 AAU National Karate Tournament, Laura Beth was one of the few triple winners in competition. She was judged on form, spirit and stances and was awarded two silver medals in Kumite and Weapons and a bronze medal in Forms.
The tournament involved more than 3,000 competitors, including the Japanese-Hawaiian and the Korean national teams.
An honor student at Windsor Elementary School, Laura Beth takes piano lessons and was enrolled in gymnastics, tap and jazz classes when the Windsor School of Dance began to offer karate lessons. Although Askew thought her daughter would not like the sport, she agreed to let her sign up for classes.
The splits and high kicks that karate demands had already been mastered by Laura Beth in gymnastics class. And in only four months, her teacher decided that she was ready for competition as a white belt.
``Only a small percentage of those who take karate compete,'' Teresa Askew said. ``About a year ago, we could see that she was outgrowing her class. We did our homework to find the best instructor.''
Today, Laura Beth trains 15 to 20 hours a week at the Frank Hargrove Karate Studios in Hampton. Hargrove has achieved the highest rank in karate and is president of the U.S. Shorin-Ryu Karate Association.
``Shorin-Ryu is Okinawan karate,'' said Askew. ``It's stronger, harder and sharper. But students are taught never to provoke and it's not just about fighting. They are taught morals, values, self-control and discipline.''
Laura Beth has advanced through the ranks and is now a ``blue belt,'' which entitles her to compete in kumite. She also takes a separate class on swords.
Although she is required to wear a stern expression while performing in karate competition, Laura Beth's ready smile, talent, and successful interview with the judges helped her capture the title of 1996 Junior Miss Suffolk-Tri Counties at the recent pageant at the Bethlehem Christian Church.
Laura Beth chose to present a karate performance and won the talent competition.
During her reign, Laura Beth attends parades and the openings of new businesses. She also walked six miles in Suffolk's March of Dimes Walk-A-Thon and participated in the city's July 4 festivities.
Laura Beth attends the Victory Charisma Church in Suffolk and in her free time likes to ride her bicycle, play with her Barbie dolls and care for the family's numerous pets.
After Teresa Askew became a receptionist at the Nansemond Veterinary Clinic, several animals found a home with the Askews. They include five cats, one of which is blind; two kittens dropped at the doorstep; a three-legged Lab, ``Kanga''; love birds; two goats; two squirrels; chickens; ducks; and a pot-bellied pig named ``Pumba.''
Next summer, Laura Beth plans to attend the 1997 AAU National Karate Tournament, which will be held in a new sports arena at Disney World.
``I'm training for this,'' she said, with a smile. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by JOHN H. SHEALLY II
Laura Beth Askew has competed in more than 100 tournaments. by CNB