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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Thursday, July 10, 2008

FITNESS PROFILE
Dedication kicks in

Photo gallery: Fitness profile — Nickie Shintan

By Lacy Matsumoto
Advertiser Staff Writer

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

For Nickie Shintani, tae kwon do training was not easy, but her perseverance and dedication gained her a black belt.

JOAQUIN SIOPACK | The Honolulu Advertiser

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Upstairs from a hostess bar on busy Kapi'olani Boulevard, there is a room full of dedication, endurance and intensity.

The boom box blares top-40 songs, and the room smells of fresh sweat. Kicking high, punching hard and screaming loud, the students of the Pacific Taekwondo class practice and devote this time to embrace their physical power and push their limits.

Uniformed in all-white judo gi and colored belts, each person moves with swiftness and determination. For Nickie Shintani, her black belt isn't just an accessory; it's a symbol of dedication despite any physical limitation or setback.

"Nickie was always involved in sports, but we noticed when she'd run, she'd always be last. She was very physical, so we didn't know why she was such a slow runner," says Stephanie Shintani, Nickie's mother.

The family took her to see a physician, and after several tests, found out Nickie had a spinal disorder called syringomyelia — a relatively rare condition that can lead to paralysis.

"I knew one of my legs was weaker, and sometimes I'd get discouraged because I didn't know what was wrong, but I refused to give up. I didn't even know about this problem until sixth grade, so I just lived my life — and I'll continue to live it normally," said Nickie.

As the daughter of Dr. Terry Shintani, healthy-eating advocate and author of several books, including "Hawaii Diet," Nickie's diet was always in order, and being physically active was highly encouraged.

As an active child, she practiced many kinds of dance, gymnastics, cheerleading, piano — and would eventually find her love for tae kwon do.

"We didn't want her dwelling on her condition, so we got her involved. If you keep them as a couch potato, that's all she would be," her mom said. "We got her involved in tae kwon do because she's tiny. And at Punahou, a lot of the other girls are so tall and lean. We thought that she could excel at tae kwon do because it doesn't matter about size, it's all about performance."

Training for a black belt was not easy. As one of the highest forms of rank in tae kwon do, the black belt is only received after passing rigorous training tests and is given to those who master the form.

"I had to practice sparring with three boys. And when it came to the pushups, because of my back, I really had to train. I also couldn't execute one of my kicks very well. I was really confident in my form, though, because I practiced it all the time," Nickie said proudly. Included in her black-belt testing was a brick exercise, which Nickie would need to pass by breaking three stacked bricks with her fist.

"I never got seriously hurt when I'd practice with the bricks," she said, "but the very first time I hit the bricks, my arm tingled. It was like hitting my funny bone."

With a current schedule of full-time cheerleading, tae kwon do, piano lessons, street dance, tumbling lessons and summer school classes, Nickie stays busy. "I don't give up on things, especially if I like it. I know sometimes I should let go of one of my activities, but I just can't," she said.

Her future plans? "I'd really like to get into college," she said. "I'm not sure what I want to do yet, but I know I don't want to be a doctor. It's not because of my dad, I love what he does. ... It's because I just can't handle human anatomy."

• • •

Nicole 'Nickie' Shintani

Age: 15

Profession: Student

Home: Nu'uanu

Height: 5 feet

Weight: 100 pounds

Stays in shape by: Training in tae kwon do, and cheerleading practice consists of kicks, jumps, running and stretching

Interesting fact about yourself: "I've never eaten a steak, and I hate hamburgers. I don't plan on eating it either."

Workout habits: Tae kwon do on Tuesdays, tumbling on Thursdays and Saturdays, cheerleading all week long.

My good foods/bad foods: "Good foods are brown rice, tofu and vegetables. I'm still a kid, so my bad foods is that I like pizza."

My biggest motivator: "Enjoying things. If I'm interested in it, I'll just do it."

What saves my sanity: "At the end of the year, around finals, I do stress out, but if it gets to the point where I'm totally tired, I'll lay off my activities for a week just so I can relax and get in my school work."

My next challenge: "Cheerleading — it's filling up my schedule, and so far it's been fun!"