By Rubin E. Grant
The exuberant reaction of Grace Kingrey’s dad, Dave Kingrey, was priceless.
After failing to medal in the 2021 WUKF Karate World Championships in Romania, Grace Kingrey earned a bronze medal in the event this year, held July 3-7 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
“I was so happy,” Grace Kingrey said. “I ran over to my dad and he was smiling and said, ‘You did so amazing.’ Then, we called my mom to let her know.
“It was such a cool experience, knowing I was representing my state. I know I have to always improve my training and push myself to perform once I’m out there. I wasn’t expecting to do as well as I did.”
A few days earlier, the Vestavia Hills High School junior earned two silvers and two golds at AAU Karate Nationals, held June 28-July 2 in Fort Lauderdale.
Keith MacConkey, Kingrey’s instructor at USA Martial Arts Bluff Park Dojo, was thrilled to see her hard work pay off.
“I am really proud of Grace and all she has accomplished,” MacConkey said. “There were competitors from all the over the country and all over the world. I knew if she continued to challenge herself that she stood a good chance to do well. Her work ethic is unmatched. She’s very self-motivated, self-driven.”
Kingrey, 16, has had to learn to perform well in front of a crowd of spectators because being in the spotlight is out of character for her.
“Grace is more of a shy person,” MacConkey said. “She doesn’t like being in the spotlight. I am really proud of her for being in the spotlight and going out and performing. Not everyone can perform under pressure with people watching, but Grace is blessed to do that at a high level.”
Kingrey has been training in martial arts for 10 years. She’s a second degree black belt in karate and Taekwondo, and she trains in judo, jiu-jitsu and Iaido.
“My dad used to do Taekwondo and that interested me,” Kingrey said. “After we moved down here from Edina, Minnesota, I decided I would like to compete.
“I honestly like being able to kick, punch and move my body. It gives me confidence to perform in front of my family and others.”
MacConkey has been Kingrey’s instructor since 2015 and likes the way she goes about her business.
“She is always dedicated to training, often staying after class, and she has great attention to detail,” MacConkey said. “She takes instruction well.”
In 2021, Kingrey earned a silver medal in open kumite at the AAU Nationals in Greenville, S.C., and earned a gold medal at the AAU Junior Olympics in Houston.
Kingrey’s ultimate goal is to attend medical school and become either a dermatologist or a pediatrician, but for now she plans to continue participating in martial arts.
“I am going to compete in the Worlds next year in Scotland,” she said.
