Padua's Kylie Henderson to compete at National Karate Tournament

What started as a way to connect with her younger brother, Dominic, has turned into a passion for Kylie Henderson.

The Padua Franciscan High School freshman student began training in karate five years ago, and the green belt practitioner has qualified for the 2025 World Karate Confederation (WKC) National Championships, which will take place in Dearborn, Michigan this week.

“I’m pretty confident,” Henderson said. “I know what I have, I know how to fight others, so I am pretty confident.”

Henderson is not only competing for the National Championship, but also, a spot at the 2025 World Karate and Kickboxing Commission World Championships in Niagara Falls, New York in late October.

To ready herself for competitions, Henderson trains around five hours per week at the DeCore Martial Arts Dojo in Middleburg Heights. She maintains a heavy training schedule while balancing a rigorous academic schedule on an advanced mathematics track and participating in Padua’s chorale, Team Bruno and Bella and having a featured role in the spring musical.

“I always put school first,” Henderson said.

“When I’m at practice, sometimes, I’ll have 30 minutes to an hour in-between each lesson, and that’s when I’ll sit down and do my homework and focus solely on school, and then, transition back to karate.”

Recently, Henderson won a Grand Championship for her weapons kata showcase at the Professional Karate Commission’s Championships in Chicago.

Henderson has enjoyed her experiences in karate due in part to the success she has had in advancing through the belt ranks. Additionally, Henderson enjoys the competitive atmosphere on the mats, as well as the bonds created through the training and bouts.

“I like how even though you’re fighting each other, you still create so much of a close bond with people, and you create friendships that are long lasting,” Henderson said.

“My favorite part is the friendships I’ve built from being in karate, because again, how you can get in the ring even with some of your closest friends and fight them, but then, be fine as soon as you get out of the ring.”

Throughout her five years of training, Henderson has developed a “very close bond” with her instructors. From a competition standpoint, they are who “I look up to and I strive to be.”

Along with the friendships, Henderson appreciates the discipline and respect she has learned from her instructors at the DeCore Martial Arts Dojo (led by Hall of Fame Karate Practitioner James DeCore).

“The discipline part of it, it helps me focus more,” Henderson said.

“Respect is a big part for not only the opponent and their instructors, but mainly, for them as well. It shows you, ‘Yes, I can get in the ring and completely fight you and hate you in that moment, but then, we get out of the ring and we’re fine. We’re friends again. We tell each other, ‘Good fight. That was a really nice kick you threw or punch you threw.’”