Jones County High School freshman Braxton Goldsmith represented Team USA at the WKC Sport Karate World Championship in Albufeira, Portugal, and won gold in Korean forms.
The world championship competition took place from Oct. 26 to Nov. 1. Goldsmith earned a coveted spot on Team USA by competing at the WKC National Tournament in Detroit, Michigan, in June, where he won against other American competitors.
Goldsmith trains at New Heights Karate Studio in Macon under Tim Conkel and Rissa Kilar, studio owners and instructors.
Conkel holds a 6th Degree Black Belt in Taekwondo, a 3rd Degree Black Belt in Tang Soo Do, and has won 43 World Championships, among many other achievements.
Kilar has a 6th Degree Black Belt in Taekwondo, has won 14 World Championships, and works as a Hollywood stunt double, appearing in television shows and movies such as Ahsoka, Logan, Daredevil, and Jungle Cruise, as well as many other notable accomplishments. Goldsmith’s karate journey started when he was six. Originally from Wisconsin, he practiced karate there for many years and became a first-degree black belt. When his family moved to Georgia, Goldsmith joined New Heights Karate Studio, where he became a second-degree black belt and an 11x Grand Champion on the regional circuit. Goldsmith became a Grand Champion by winning first place in every division.
After joining New Heights, Goldsmith began competing nationally and internationally.
Over Labor Day week, he and his family traveled to Las Vegas, Nevada, where Goldsmith competed for Overall Grands.
Goldsmith’s mother, Jackie Goldsmith, says they owe his accomplishments to New Heights Karate Studio, Conkel, and Kilar, who had recently opened an additional karate studio in downtown Macon called New Order Movement Gym.
Kilar praised Goldsmith for his accomplishments.
“Braxton has grown not only as a competitor but also as a coach and junior instructor. We are very proud and excited for him,” Kilar said.
Goldsmith worked diligently at home and his karate studio from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., attending classes and teaching to prepare for the World Championships, where six other members of New Heights Karate Studio and thirty-three other countries competed.
At the World Championship in Portugal, Goldsmith competed in every division in the 13-14 age group, including extreme weapons division, extreme forms, creative weapons, creative forms, Korean forms, in which Goldsmith placed second at last year’s World Championships, Japanese forms, and traditional weapons.
With support from his family and New Heights Karate Studio, Goldsmith was determined and expected good results at the competition.
“I feel like the only way to improve at karate is if you are doing stuff on your own time, and I feel like I am super committed. I am confident and hoping to come home with multiple titles,” Goldsmith said.
After the competition, Goldsmith victoriously walked away with gold in Korean forms.
