MUSCATINE, Iowa–For siblings Brayde and Kennidi Smith, having superior Taekwondo skills seems to run in the family. At only 12 and 10 years old, respectively, the duo have already earned multiple Taekwondo championships. Their success continued the weekend of June 24 and 25, with Brayde claiming the national championship for weapons in Nunchucks (his third national title overall) and Kennidi taking the national championship for forms (her third consecutive title in forms and fifth national championship overall).

Locally, Brayde and Kennidi take classes at Riverbend Tae Kwon Do Academy. Despite their youth (Brayde has done Taekwondo for eight years and Kennidi for about five), both have progressed rapidly. Brayde has a second-degree black belt, and Kennidi has her temporary black belt. The two travel to national Taekwondo contests throughout the year, testing their skills against martial artists from all over.

Last month, the Smiths went to Plano, Texas, for the United Taekwondo Alliance Nationals. Throughout the weekend, they demonstrated their prowess in several competitions, including weapons, board breaking, and forms. Both did well in their events, with Brayde earning second place in board breaking. Together, they claimed second place in team forms, where they did their forms in sync.

In addition to continuing their martial arts training, Brayde and Kennidi help teach Taekwondo to martial artists at Riverbend training for belts lower than theirs. As Brayde explained, earning higher-level belts involves, “helping and teaching the different color belts and seeing how they do.” Both kids enjoy working with other students and learning from each other, as Brayde currently serves as Kennidi’s weapons instructor.

Brayde and Kennidi Smith with their Taekwondo championship medals. Photo courtesy of Randy Smith.

Though getting into Taekwondo may sound intimidating, Brayde and Kennidi encourage other kids, and grownups, to try it if it interests them. Both noted that it provides good exercise and that sparing provides a fun physical experience, and that the self-paced nature of belt progression makes it accessible to everyone, no matter their prior training or skill level.

“It’s fun, and you get two weeks to try it and see if you like it, so there’s no downsides,” observed Brayde.

“There are a lot of friendly people, and you can make good friends,” added Kennidi.

While Brayde and Kennidi may have only just earned their most recent national championships, they do not plan to rest on their laurels. After competing in a regional Taekwondo contest this summer, they plan to travel to Reno, Nevada, this September for another national competition.