Black belt success for schoolgirl who started training age four

Saturday 19 February 2022

A 12-year-old student, who has been training in American Kenpo Karate since she was just four years old, has received her black belt.

Hayden Abel started training in the martial art eight years ago, after being signed up by her parents, who believed it would benefit her fitness, confidence, listening skills and self-esteem.

“They thought it would be a good idea for me to be able to defend and protect myself as I got older,” she explained. 

“They also liked the idea of me committing longer term to achieving my black belt with the hard work, discipline and commitment it would take.

“My mum says she wanted me to do it as a life skill, learning respect for healthy authority figures and gain emotional balance. She says it good for my health and self-respect!" 

Pictured: Hayden during one of her earliest training sessions.

Hayden currently trains twice a week, on Tuesdays and Sundays with Ivor Bouhaire American Kenpo Karate’s team at Fort Regent. 

“Ivor and his wife Jacqui are excellent instructors,” Hayden said.

Her favourite parts of training classes are the bag work and practicing on other people.

“I also like helping train the younger students,” she said.

Pictured: Hayden trains with Ivor Bouhaire American Kenpo Karate’s team at Fort Regent.

Hayden is the only one in her family who trains in martial arts, although her father did taekwondo up to his brown belt when he was younger after which he started working and stopped training. 

When asked what her family thinks about her training in martial arts, Hayden says they love it.

“They are very proud of this achievement,” she said. “When I was much smaller I used to practice on my dad until one day I accidentally gave him a bloody nose, I stopped practicing on him after that.”

Pictured: Hayden received her black belt last week.

Commenting on Hayden recently receiving her black belt, her mum Donna said: “We were over the moon for Hayden to receive her black belt.

"She’s still too young to recognise the achievement it is and how her hard works and commitment lead to this success.

“We are reassured that in the future if she was ever in a situation where she had to protect herself she now has the skills and confidence to so do.” 

Currently in Year 8 at Jersey College for Girls, Hayden is enjoying her classes in sciences and drama.  “I also like Spanish and Design technology,” she said.

While American Kenpo Karaté is her main hobby, she also goes to the gym and loves spending time with friends and family.

With more girls joining martial arts, she has encouraged others to take the leap.

“It’s good to know when you are out having fun with friends that you can protect yourself if something bad was to happen,” she said. It’s also fun and interesting.”