TRIP OF A LIFETIME
Knuths, 15, headed to France with Myers as Southside Martial Arts representatives
Messenger photo by Britt Kudla Nalayna Knuths, age 14, poses with her coach, Nik Myers of Southside Martial Arts in Fort Dodge. Knuths is a student at Southeast Valley. She will be traveling with Myers to the International Combat Organization World Championships next month in France.
Submitted photo Nalayna Knuths, age 14, poses with her qualifying championship belt and medals. Knuths, a student at Southeast Valley, will be traveling to the International Combat Organization World Championships next month in France next month.
Messenger photo by Britt Kudla Nalayna Knuths, age 14, poses with her coach, Nik Myers of Southside Martial Arts in Fort Dodge. Knuths is a student at Southeast Valley. She will be traveling with Myers to the International Combat Organization World Championships next month in France.
Submitted photo Nalayna Knuths, age 14, poses with her qualifying championship belt and medals. Knuths, a student at Southeast Valley, will be traveling to the International Combat Organization World Championships next month in France next month.
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Nik Myers saw something special in Nalayna Knuths almost immediately.
She had faced bouts of adversity. Struggle. Pain.
Yet Myers – the owner of Southside Martial Arts in Fort Dodge – also witnessed perseverance from Knuths. Hope. Determination.
The 15-year-old Knuths, a freshman at Southeast Valley High School, began her jujitsu journey as a raw prospect and a novice student under Myers about 18 months ago. Now, the duo is preparing for the trip of a lifetime: Knuths qualified for the International Combat Organization World Championships next month in Thonon-Les-Bains, France. Myers is also on board after being selected as a coach for Team USA.
"This means a lot to everyone at Southside," Myers said. "Nalayna has been through a lot in her young life. Yet all of the adults – especially some of the women – have really stepped up as mentors for her.
"It's been amazing watching her grow over the last year and a half. And it really does take a village to get her this far."
Knuths earned her spot in the international martial arts event by capturing a gold medal at a Submission Challenge Tournament in Des Moines this past summer. She will be entered in the ICO's Gi and No-Gi submission only brackets, as well as the Gi and No-Gi points competition.
"Nalayna's adopted parents, Roger and Barb Knuths of Moorland, have put a lot of trust in us at Southside, and we've been able to provide a safe, happy and structured environment for her to thrive in. She's a fierce competitor, yet very kind.
"Nalayna has learned how to take her anger and channel it into something pretty amazing to watch."
Nalayna, Roger and Barb will be joined by Nalayna's younger brother, Bentley, on the trip. Myers is coaching the Jiu Jitsu, Kickboxing, Muay Thai and MMA squads.
"It's a huge honor for me," Myers said. "I have to give a lot of credit to our nonprofit, C3 – Creating a Community of Champions (in Fort Dodge) – for helping us get this far."
Myers called Knuths' ascension in one calendar year "incredible."
"I've watched her grow in a pretty short period of time into a confident young lady," Myers said. "I'm proud of not only her, but our whole (Team USA)."
Knuths and Myers were in Chicago last month to train. They leave on Oct. 12. The world championships are Oct. 14-18.
"Through C3, we've hosted a 5K, had self-defense seminars, reached out to community leaders and raised a decent amount of money to help everyone with the costs," Myers said. "(The Fort Dodge area) is a great community, and they're typically eager to help a good cause."
Myers added that fundraising efforts for the trip - which includes not only the event itself but the flights, hotels and expenses both to and from France - will continue in the weeks to come under C3.
For more information, visit the C3 Facebook page or contact Myers at Southside Martial Arts (515-571-1352). Myers and Keenan Schuur will also be taking messages via Facebook Messenger.