Shaw wins taekwondo championship
Rector grad now looking for Olympic trainer to fulfill dream

Dalton Shaw (right) takes a defensive stance in his second round match at the ATA World Championship Tournament in Little Rock. (photo provided) [Click to enlarge]

Shaw's crowning victory came Friday when he competed for the title at the Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock.

His win is truly a dream come true -- and he is thrilled that his latest accomplishment is now recognized around the globe.

"It's amazing," said the 18-year-old Shaw. "It's a dream come true. Achieving a goal that I set for myself when I first started doing tournaments four years ago is one of the biggest accomplishments I've had."

Shaw, along with nine other participants who make up the top 10 ranked fighters in his division, took part in the tournament to determine the "best of the best." Shaw competed in three matches during the event. Matches are decided on a point system for successful strikes, with winners being the first to score five points.

Shaw advanced through the first round with a 5-0 victory, but the difficulty increased from there, as the top fighters began to ascend. In the second round, Shaw faced an opponent from Brazil who posed a unique challenge.

"His style was a little different," Shaw said. "He used a lot more aerial attacks. So I had to do the same, which isn't something I usually do."

Shaw's adjustments paid off, as he advanced with a 5-3 victory.

In his third match of the day, Shaw, who entered the tournament ranked second in the world, faced off against the top ranked competitor. At the end of the two-minute struggle, both fighters were tied at 2-2. A no time limit sudden-death round was held to determine the winner.

By using the skills he has honed through intense training, Shaw was able to spot a flaw and take advantage.

"It took me a little while to figure out how to go against him," Shaw said. "He guarded himself a little better than everyone else. I found out I could throw him off-balance. I threw a kick to his left side, which he was guarding, but it knocked him off-balance and he fell back some. Then I threw a kick over his left shoulder for the point and the win."

Shaw was cheered on by his parents, Buddy and Betty Shaw of Rector, and his girlfriend, Bethany Sisneros, who made the trip with him.

While he was facing some of the best competitors in the world, Shaw said he did his best to treat it like one of the many other tournaments in which he's taken part.

"I tried not to let too much go through my mind," he said. "Between the rounds, I would listen to my Ipod and just focus and chill. I went about everything like it was just another tournament."

With the win, Shaw adds a major title to his already impressive collection of awards and recognition in the sport. He is the ATA 2009 World Champion, ATA 2009 National Champion and three-time ATA State Champion.

"It feels good to see all my hard work pay off. I've been training for years for this."

Shaw recently earned his second degree black belt. He now will face even tougher competition.

"The people I will be going up against have four or five years of experience on me. That's okay, though, because I like the challenge. It's the only way you get better at something."

When next year's tournament season begins, Shaw will once more have to earn his spot in the world rankings.

"Each season it starts over. You've got to be ready and go out there and prove yourself all over again."

The young man now has hopes of representing America as part of the taekwondo team at the 2012 Olympics.

"I'm training at home right now, but we've made contact with two Olympic trainers -- one from California and one from Texas. I'm hoping to talk to them and find out what other types of training I need to start doing in order to make it to the Olympics."

Shaw says he has had a lot of help in becoming the champion, and person, he is today.

"I've worked really hard, but I wouldn't be who I am today without my parents. They've never let me quit at anything in my life. They always support me and help me do the best I can. My trainers, Alan Smith, Theresa Anderson and Jimmy Atchley, have been a big help to me. I can't thank everyone enough for all their help. I couldn't have done it on my own."

Shaw is a 2009 graduate of Rector High School and will attend Arkansas State University in the fall.