May Take 5
Back in black (belt)
It was around age one or two, just after she got the walking thing down, when KELSEY CARR started kickboxing. Her dad’s prodigy, she was a model student who by the age of twelve was teaching underprivileged kids the skill at her dad’s gym outside Philadelphia. Carr, a certified, first-degree black belt in martial arts, made her way to Wilmington last year to be near her sister and the beach. She’s now kick’n it and taking names. Carr teaches a weekly kickboxing class called Wilmington Warriors at Terra Sol Sanctuary.
AFTER A YEAR IN TOWN, WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE RESTAURANT IN WILMINGTON SO FAR?
“Indochine.”
IF SOMEONE WERE TO COME UP BEHIND YOU AND TRY TO STEAL YOUR PURSE, WHAT WOULD HAPPEN TO THAT PERSON?
“Well, I hope I would be able to keep my purse! Actually, in martial arts, you always to try to avoid getting into a physical confrontation if possible. But, if given no other option, and you are forced to defend yourself, I would say a quick, swift kick to the groin so they drop their hands down, then a jab across the face.”
DID KIDS EVER TRY TO FIGHT YOU GROWING UP?
“I never had to defend myself, luckily. Kickboxing always came with my image with everyone who knew me. My dad was on the USA boxing team, he’s a fourth-degree black belt, so …”
WHO’S YOUR ROLE MODEL?
“My sister Kristy (owner of Eco Chic Blossoms). She’s one of the most empowered and hard-working women I know, and I look up to her perseverance and selflessness.”
WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR NEW STUDENTS WANTING TO LEARN HOW TO KICKBOX?
“Get the basics first. If you have a strong base, that’s what’s really going to benefit you in the long run. For example, you can’t do a jumping front snap if you don’t have down a front snap kick.”
To view more of photographer Chris Brehmer's work, go to www.chrisbrehmerphotography.com.
