Tracy Press

Seven-year-old Isaac Paz defends an almost perfect record, including several grand championships.

Seven-year-old Isaac Paz blocks a kick during a workout with instructor James Reed, his uncle. Paz has been training since he was 4 and has lost only three competitive matches. Photo by Bob Brownne/Tracy Press.

Paz, who turns 8 next week, has been working out in karate since age 4 and competing since he was 6. In that time, he has won nearly every one of his 45 matches, including those leading up to five grand championships.

Paz, who just finished second grade at Freiler School, was exposed to karate through his uncle, James Reed, who opened Reed’s Tae Kwon Do on Larch Road five years ago.

“He was 2 years old watching karate videos and kicking,” Reed said. “Once I opened my school, he was in.”

Paz’s father, Manual Paz, said his son also spends plenty of time on other interests, but he always looks forward to the workouts at the karate school.

“He has a love for karate, so I bring him here as much as I can when he’s not doing other sports,” Manuel Paz said.

Paz’s dedication helped make him the grand champion in the 7-and-under boys sparring division at the Affiliated Martial Arts Promoters Association Kickoff tournament in January at Alameda High School. His most recent award is the grand championship from the Gold Cup Circuit’s 9-and-under boys division in 2008 Ultimate International tournament in Santa Clara.

Reed said he has other students who get these awards, but Isaac has only three losses since he started competing. Two of them were to the same boy, who was one of the oldest competitors in the division when Isaac was one of the youngest.

“I haven’t seen anyone with that record at any age,” Reed said. “I’ve had good 7-year-olds, but none that win so consistently.”

The two oversized belts Paz has won are the 2007 AMAPA Champion of the Year award in 7-and-under boys sparring and the 2006 Golden State Karate Association Clash of the Warriors, both of which he earned as the top points leader in the respective leagues.

In point sparring, competitors score based on where their hands and feet make contact on their opponents.

Paz has found that he learns a lot just by watching. Before a match, he tries to see how his competitors spar so that he will know how to block their punches and kicks, and how he can get past their defenses.

“Usually, I’ll keep on doing my same moves, and when those don’t work, I’ll try my combinations,” he said.

Reed said his student’s success is based on his determination to win.

“He doesn’t think he can lose. He will figure out a way to win,” Reed said. “He’s quick and fast, and he has that winning attitude.”

• We want to hear what you have to say. To reach Sports Editor Bob Brownne, call 830-4227.

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written by Felix , June 16, 2008

I would guess that Mr. Paz knows who "Cung Li" is... He has his academy in Santa Clara and recently I read that he moves faster than Bruce Lee, and his MMA record says it all... get Isaac in touch with Cung Li, that would be the best for your son...