Cara Wolf

During an award ceremony Sensei Jon Davis awards junior Cara Wolf her kobudo belt. “I felt very proud of myself at that moment, I worked very hard to get this belt,” Wolf said.

 At 16, junior Cara Wolf has already made her mark in both karate and kobudo, proving that hard work and focus pay off.

“I got involved in kobudo by doing karate. In karate when you reach a certain rank you get invited to join the “black belt club.” I was invited to join when I became a green, black belt. Being a part of this club helped me get exposure to sparring and weapons training and even some advanced kata. After being a part of the club for a while, I eventually joined kobudo. I worked my way up the ranks and later became eligible to test for a Jr. kobudo black belt (for those under 18) when I turned 16,” Wolf said. 

Wolf’s style is called Shorinji – Ryu. She chose this style because it gives her a well-rounded karate training experience. She’s earned trophies for kata and sparring. She also practices two to three days a week.

“The hardest challenge I’ve experienced in karate is going through the black belt preparation cycle. It demands a lot mentally and physically,” Wolf said. 

The black belt preparation cycle lasts around four months. During this time, they prepare for the test by making sure they have the known material, increasing physical fitness and studying for the written exam. It also includes turning in essays, recommendations, presenting, attending special events and participating in group performances. The test spans over three days. The test starts with the physical fitness portion, then are asked to demonstrate the requirements, spar, box and complete the written exam.

“I felt extremely proud to earn my black belt as it was a huge accomplishment for me,” Wolf said. 

“The journey of Kodudo will always be a part of who Cara is.She was trained to anticipate an opponent’s next move, to stay fit & healthy and to always be thinking one step ahead. These skills will serve her well in all that she does and I do believe will remain an important foundation to all she does throughout life,” Wolf’s mother Holly Wolf said.

Wolf is strong, quick and determined when it comes to out-thinking her opponent. She is offensive rather than just defensive which keeps her opponents on their toes, according to Holly Wolf.

“Wolf approaches challenges with a calm mindset. Rather than getting frustrated, she breaks down the technique, asks thoughtful questions and keeps working until it clicks. That kind of mindset is exactly what helps martial artists succeed long term,” Sensei Jon Davis said. 

The feedback that Wolf acquires helps her learn and grow. Her consistency and determination helps her do well in competitions and tests.

“I stay motivated by focusing on the end goal,” Wolf said. “For me this is receiving my Shodan which is an adult black belt certified through my organization rather than just my dojo.”