Name: Sela Jakub-Wood.
Date of Birth: March 16, 1988.
Age: 16.
Place of Birth: Jakarta, Indonesia.
Residence: Eunice, LA.
Marital Status: Single.
Ethnic Origin: Asian.
Style: American Free Style.
School: Eunice Black Belt Academy.
Rank: Red Belt in Class / Black Belt at Tournaments.
Instructor: Eddie Thibodeaux.
Year Started Martial Arts: 1999.
Team Name: Team E-Town.
Favorite Technique: Flying Sidekick.
Sport Karate Titles: LKL Titles, 2002 & 2003 Back to Back L.K.L. COMPETITOR OF THE YEAR (10-13, 14-17), Traditional Forms, Creative Weapons, Creative Forms, Point Sparring / 2002 & 2003 BACK TO BACK S.M.A.A. COMPETITOR OF THE YEAR (10-17,12-13,14-15),Traditional Forms, Creative Weapons/Forms, Point Sparring / 2003 S.K.I.L. WORLD CHAMPION Traditional Forms, Creative Weapons, Creative Forms, Point Sparring.
Sport Karate Highlight: Competing in the World Championships even though I have to compete with my sister, which, I have to say was NOT all that fun.
Martial Arts Goal #1: One day, I want to be able to do a few of those fancy kicks.
Martial Arts Goal #2: Learn how to be a better fighter...maybe use some spinning kicks in my fighting.
Non Martial Arts Goal: One of my non martial arts goals is to attend college after graduating from high school and become an ophthalmologist.
Favorite Tournament: Any of the two day tournaments.
Favorite Karate Competitors: hmmm...definitely not my sister, Dela.
Most Admired Martial Artist: My Sensei, Eddie Thibodeaux.
Why? My most admired martial artist is my sensei, Eddie Thibodeaux, my mentor as well as my friend. Over the years, he had taught me not only the techniques of martial art, but also the true meaning of being a martial artist; he had taught me that karate is not always about the right techniques or winning at tournaments, but it is about learning discipline, dedication, and respect for yourself as well as others. He always told me that in order to be a true black belt, "You have to have the heart", meaning that it doesn't always matter what color belt you wear on your waist, but the color that you wear in your heart. He has motivated me to get this far in my career, and for that, I truly admire him.
Most Admired Person: My Mom.
Why? My mom is my most admired person because she has always inspired me to do better things with myself. For instance, when I practiced my forms, she is my best critiques because even though she knows little of the martial arts techniques, she would honestly tell me what I need to work on or what looks good and what doesn't. Often times, her high expectations of me encouraged me to give my best at everything that I do. However, she helped me not only in karate, but also in school and everything that I do in life. Like my sensei, my mom has encourage me to better myself, I owe them all of my successes in karate, school, and everything that I do.
Favorite Food: I'm not too picky, but if I have to pick, it'll have to be either pizza or chinese.
Favorite Movie: Rush Hour
Favorite Actor: Ben Affleck.
Favorite Actress: Jenifer Aniston.
Favorite Magazine: Cosmo.
Favorite Book: None at the moment.
Favorite Music: Country
Favorite Musician: Kenny Chesney.
Favorite Hobbies: Swimming.
Favorite Sports: Karate.
Brief Bio: Sela did not submit a bio on herself. Being her instructor and most importantly her friend, I feel I should write one about her. Sela is every instructor’s dream. Her work ethic in and out of karate is unbelievable and is often the first one there and last one to leave. She is officially a red belt in our school but chooses to compete as a black belt to improve her skills. She is the captain of our team (E-Town) and is one of my top student instructors. The school opened in 2000 under my instruction and I would not be able to keep it open without her help. She teaches on regular class nights and during Saturday tournament practices often putting her own studies aside to help others. She is an honor student at Eunice High School while taking honor classes preparing her for college. Her ability to set goals, reach them and often pass them assures that she will succeed in life and in karate. The only thing I would change about Sela is the fact that she is sassy to me and she often kicks and hits me. I love you Sela, keep up the hard work. Mr. Eddie.