An unlikely combination

CNI Photos by Charles Auer

It didn’t seem like the most likely combination at first, five years ago. Peter Sorce was only 6 years old ?and he suffered from severe allergy attacks. What was this little kid doing in karate school? Five years later, the answer is plain ?because at age 11, Peter, who lives in Cudahy, has earned the rank of second degree black belt.

Peter Sorce at age 11 He is currently the top-rated 11-year-old black belt in the Midwest, and has won 70 trophies competing in tournaments around the Midwest. Peter’s mother, Colina Sorce, recalled the doubts some people felt when Peter started studying Tae-Kwon-Do at a karate school in Milwaukee. “Peter has severe asthma, and all wondered if he could even keep up with a class,” Colina Sorce said.

“Championships seemed out of the question. But Peter got stronger and better, and his perseverance and championships have surprised everyone.” She feels her son has learned more than self-confidence and self-defense during his karate studies. Besides attending karate classes four days a week, Peter plays trombone in the school band at Lincoln School, and stays on the honor roll.

His last report card boasted eight A’s and two B’s. His mother feels he acquired valuable attitudes while he was learning the kicks and blocks. “Good grades, leadership and many character-building attitudes have been learned, along with self-defense,” she said. Whether Peter learned his tendencies towards excellence by studying karate ?or whether he’s just that kind of person and would have achieved so much no matter what he attempts, is a tough question.

It’s clear, however, that Peter Sorce loves what he does. “Last year he excelled in free-fighting at the American Tae-Kwon-Do Championships in Illinois,” his mother said. “He has just won two first-place trophies in Chicago and in 1986, he went to seven tournaments in the Midwest and won 12 first-place trophies.” He’s been studying Tae-Kwon-Do nearly half his life.