Three Orillia athletes dominated the competition at the 2024 World Amateur Kickboxing Organizations National Championships in Niagara Falls last weekend.
McKenna "Tiger Girl" Van Allen, Dustin Cronk, and Noah Redmond earned their ticket to the competition by training almost daily for the last year.
Coached by Nic Langman, owner of Black Lotus Academy of Martial Arts and Fitness, and Kai Clement, Van Allen won the under 60-kilogram woman’s K1 division and the under 55-kilogram woman’s kick light division.
"Her trajectory as an athlete, as a student of martial arts, and as a competitor has been really incredible to watch," Langman said. "It's definitely a testament to her work ethic and her commitment to her training."
Van Allen, 22, says fighting in two different divisions wasn't a challenge for her.
"I can go for a while," she said. "I was actually excited that I got to fight twice. Every time I finish fighting, I'm disappointed that it's over."
Two of Van Allen's fights were ten minutes apart, making her triumph even more impressive.
The Twin Lakes Secondary School graduate hopes her victories on the weekend will open the door for bigger opportunities.
"I really want to fight in ONE Championship," she said, noting it's the world's largest professional martial arts organization.
Van Allen thanks Langman and her coaches for all her success.
"I just do what he tells me to do," she said. "He puts in so many hours of holding pads and teaching us and then we just do what we are told, and the outcome is good."
Cronk won the under 67-kilogram senior open men's division.
"It's definitely the busiest division," Langman said. "There are always a lot of tough guys in the tournament."
Langman credits Cronk for sticking to his strategies and listening to his coaches in his championship match.
"He fought his game instead of getting sucked into the other guy’s game," he said. "He had a super strong opponent from a very good club, but he rose to the occasion and showed a lot of skill and maturity."
Cronk, 24, says winning on the weekend helps to build his confidence.
"This is something I do want to pursue long-term," he said. "I'd like to eventually make a career out of it."
The Orillia Secondary School graduate says he's on the right path to achieving his dreams of fighting on the world stage.
"I have to stay busy and active," he said. "It's a huge passion for me because growing up I was a huge MMA fan."
Noah Redmond, a Parry Sound native, won the 85-kilogram senior open men's division in a unanimous decision.
"It was a great fight," Langman said. "He followed the game plan and put so much pressure on his opponent that he wore him down."
Redmond, 20, says he had fun competing at the tournament.
"It was good to see all my teammates win," he said. "Winning is enjoyable for me because it means I'm improving."
Redmond hopes the in-ring experience will prepare him for a future MMA fight.
"I am going to be the UFC welterweight champion," he said confidently.
All three Orillia athletes defeated opponents on the weekend who they had previously lost to at other competitions.
"I always believe that what we do is the best and it works," Langman said. "They proved it in a sanctioned Canadian national tournament that is as legit as it will ever get."
To have all three Black Lotus students win at the event is a bold statement for the local dojo, Langman says.
"We aren't boasters, and we behave very well in victory and defeat," Langman said. "That to me displays a lot more than the gold on the belt."
