Winter 2021 Coloring Contest

Happy Holiday, everyone! To bring some extra cheer to your Winter break (or something to keep the kids busy for bit), we thought it would be fun to have a coloring contest!

We will be drawing a name from each age category (4 & 5 years olds, 6-8 year olds, 9-12 year olds and lastly, 13 years & up) and also choosing one grand prize winner for the most creative reindeer which will be voted on by the ISKC Senseis! Winners will win some ISKC Swag. Happy coloring!

To enter:

1. Download the Rising Block Reindeer drawing at the below link.

2. Color/decorate and get as creative as you’d like! Sky is the limit.

3. Take a photo of you and your drawing and post it to Instagram or Facebook and tag ISKC! ISKC’s Facebook page is HERE and our Instagram is HERE.

4. Submissions are due by 12/28 and winners announced shortly thereafter!

Karate Sisters Earn Coveted Spot on United States Karate Team

For many, the dream of representing your country while competing in a sport you love feels far-fetched. But for two Illinois Shotokan Karate Club (ISKC) athletes, their dreams have become a reality.

Skylar Lingl and Cirrus Lingl joined karate at the age of 5 and 7, respectively. Their parents wanted their daughters to learn karate so they could protect themselves as they grew up, which led them to enrolling the girls in their local Shotokan program at the Dundee Township Park District.

Their dad, Mark Lingl, remembers, "When the girls were little, they loved to wrestle. I asked them if they would like to do karate and they both yelled 'Yes!' I had taken a class with ISKC back in the 80s and wasn't even sure they were still around, but amazingly enough, they had a program at the girls' school, so I signed them up!"

From the very beginning, both girls showed a lot of natural ability in karate and developed a genuine love for the sport. The sisters' coach, Brian Mertel, says that "while they always had talent in karate, they never relied on only that. They were always willing to practice at home and rarely missed class."

After only six months in karate, both sisters began competing in local competitions. From there, their love for competing blossomed and they continued to compete locally four times per year and annually at the USA Karate Nationals, earning many medals and trophies along the way.

Now, the Lingl Sisters have been training for over fifteen years with ISKC through the Dundee Township Park District, Schaumburg Park District and Hoffman Estates Park District.

These days, 21-year-old Cirrus and 19-year-old Skylar can be found traveling the world, competing, and proudly representing their country. In fact, in January, both sisters traveled to Colorado Springs to compete in the United States Karate Senior Team Trials. The first place winner in each division earned a spot on the United States Team and will have the opportunity to travel to the Senior Pan American Championships in San Jose, Costa Rica in May and to the 2020 Senior World Karate Championships in Dubai, United Arab Emirates this November.

Cirrus and Skylar each won first-place in their divisions and will be representing Team USA at both international tournaments. Older sister Cirrus, also secured a spot to compete in France for one of the last three spots available for karate in the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.

The Lingl sisters have an exciting journey ahead and a lot of hard work to come. Back home, they will have teammates, fellow ISKC students, and family members cheering them on as they approach these big competitions later this year.

ISKC has been teaching karate to thousands of people since 1978 at more than 70 Chicagoland park districts. ISKC's classes are well-rounded, allowing students to try forms (Kata) and sparring (Kumite). Classes also include Kihon (basics), which focuses more on perfecting each technique and self-defense.

The Story of Jennifer Malloy

Photo Credit: Chicago Sun Times, 1987

At age 10, Jennifer, an ISKC student and brown belt, was diagnosed with Rabdomyo Sarcoma, an aggressive cancer of the muscles found in the neck and head. In many ways, Jennifer embodied a true-karate-ka. Despite undergoing multiple rounds of chemotherapy, radiation, and numerous surgeries, Jennifer refused to let her diagnosis stop her from training and competing. 

Jennifer loved karate and exemplified a commitment to the sport and the spirit of competition. While still undergoing treatment, Jennifer continued to work toward her goals of competing in the National Championships and earning her brown belt. 

Despite qualifying for the National Championships, her illness and treatments kept Jennifer from competing at the nationals for two years. Determined, Jennifer would not take “no” for an answer and made the brave decision to compete in the 1986 National Championships.

Just 11 days prior to the National Championships, Jennifer underwent major surgery to stop the growth of a tumor in her head and neck. Only a couple of days after the surgery, Jennifer snuck out of her hospital bed to practice her kata in an empty room and even convinced her doctors to release her from the hospital so she could compete in the National Championships. Jennifer finally achieved her dream and even earned a bronze medal in kata.  

Due to the financial burden that comes with battling cancer, the Malloy family struggled to afford one last treatment they could try to battle the cancer in Jennifer's body. In order to help, Illinois Shotokan Karate rallied its students and resources to put on the first ever Kick for Cures event, formerly known as the Jennifer Malloy Kick Against Cancer, on February 22, 1987. Together, ISKC members raised more than $30,000 to support Jennifer and her family as she underwent treatment. 

Sadly, Jennifer passed away later that year at at the age of 13 after a ferocious two-and-half year battle with cancer. Jennifer touched the lives of students and instructors, alike, and her memory continues to live on and inspire others. 

This year, our annual Kick for Cures event is being held on March 3, 2019. The Kick for Cures is a meaningful and fun way to meet other members of our club and allows us  to practice our karate together for a worthy cause. 

To reserve your spot at the 2019 Kick For Cures event, please RSVP using the form below or call the ISKC office at 847-359-0666.

If you cannot attend, we hope you can join us in spirit by donating online! Every dollar counts!