Jimmy was 14 years old when he snuck into the Z-Ultimate Karate Studio in Chino Hills after his grandfather Karl Reiter paid for his haircut at the former Supercuts next door. 

Mr. Reiter found his grandson, who has Down syndrome, sitting at the desk of Sensei Jonny Brookman. “I want to become a martial artist,” the Chino teenager said.

With that, he was enrolled and began learning how to use a nunchaku, a Japanese weapon made of two sticks connected to each other at their ends by a short metal chain. He then discovered his niche in double nunchucks.

Jimmy convinced his principal at Don Lugo High School to perform his double nunchucks routine at the school’s pep rally. 

Mr. Reiter said that Jimmy went out in front of his peers and showed everyone in the school what a special needs student was capable of, with the student body cheering and applauding in support.

Jimmy was under Mr. Brookman’s wing for five years until his Sensei moved to Tennessee. Afterwards, Jimmy found the tutelage of third-degree black belt Courtney Holland for 6 years on his quest for his black belt. 

Throughout 12 years of intense training, he had to master 10 belts before attempting his four-hour long  test. 

“When Sensei Courtney Holland told me that Jimmy would be testing in November for his black belt, we bought tickets for our whole family to go watch his promotion and surprise him,”  Mr. Brookman said. 

The day of Jimmy’s test, anxiety and excitement overcame him.

A heavy rainstorm moved in, but Jimmy continued to demonstrate his entire repertoire.

Out of breath, he returned to the mat to await his results and was shocked to see his teachers Jennifer Daly and Shanette Encarnacion, along with his former Sensei Jonny Brookman cheering him on.

Minutes later, Jimmy beamed when Master E, an owner of the karate studio, awarded him a Shodan first degree black belt certificate.

Former Principal Kimberly Cabrera said she was incredibly proud of Jimmy. 

“Since I met him in 2014, karate has been an important part of his life, and he has dedicated himself to learning and overcoming obstacles he has had to face,” she said. 

“As grandparents to a special needs young man, having Jimmy treated as one of the gang, is worth its weight in gold,” Mr. Reiter said.