Local Jimmy Boulet won two first-place trophies and one second-place trophy in an all cities karate tournament at Dawn Barnes Karate Kids in Santa Monica. Boulet, a sixth-grader at Malibu Middle School, earned the trophies for grappling, sparring and flag grab.
In every instance of grappling, Boulet completed the task in less than five seconds, even when competing against opponents who outweighed him. In grappling, a competitor lying on the ground underneath his opponent has to overcome the opponent by reaching his feet quickly.
Of his competitive strategy, Boulet said, “I pretend that my life is at stake and I must escape no matter what.”
Boulet has earned the rank of red belt and is part of the Black Belt Club, which will eventually lead him to earn the highest rank in karate. He has been practicing karate since 2007.