BROOKSVILLE - If you want to go strictly by medal color, sure, the 2002 Sunshine State Games were a little better than this year's for Rachel Campbell. But there is no arguing she's better at karate today.
Campbell went to Tallahassee last weekend for the Games as a black belt, received two
months ago after a rigorous test of physical and mental knowledge of the sport. She put it to solid use with a three-medal performance, capturing a silver in weapons, silver in forms and bronze in fighting.
Among county athletes, Brooksville's Sean Bayly also had a big weekend in karate with a silver medal in weapons and bronze in forms.
For Campbell, 15, the weekend provided valuable experience against a higher class of competition than she saw two years ago when she won three gold medals.
In the fighting portion in 2002, Campbell just had to beat one person to take gold. This time, she had multiple bouts, which proved more enjoyable even though she did not win it all.
"It was one of the best times I've ever fought," Campbell said. "I can't wait to go the next two years and compete again."
The loss that put Campbell into the bronze match was against a 6-foot opponent the 5-1 Campbell said had to be well over 18-years-old and was a good fighter.
"I'm not used to people that are so talented," said Campbell, who competes out of Bayly's Karate Club in Brooksville. "But for the first time competing as black belt, I would say it was a good time. It really made me more aware of what I needed to work on."
The forms competition is Campbell's favorite, and it showed in winning a silver medal.
Forms involve traditional maneuvers. Two athletes execute a move one after the other, with judges deciding which person was better and awarding points accordingly.
The sport's weapons contests are similar, with the emphasis on the individual. The Games involved only the staff (or bow), which Campbell enjoyed especially since there was no weight limit on the apparatus (lighter is better).
"I wouldn't say it's my best aspect of karate, however I like to work on it because that's something you would use on the street," said the rising Hernando High School sophomore. "What's the first thing you'll do when attacked? You'll grab something to defend yourself."
