Joyce Beauchamp
Special to the Tribune
Powell’s Martial Arts Academy packs a lot of punch in terms of personal satisfaction and skills development, and the results are showing on the national stage. Though quiet, mild-mannered and seemingly self-effacing, Grand Master Justin Powell is a world medalist and lifelong student of martial arts, bringing his local students not just physical skill but mental strength as well – and it’s turning out to be a winning formula.
Powell began his martial arts training at the age of 1, being the special student of his father, Grand Master Gary Powell. According to the Academy’s website, Justin earned his first black belt at the age of 12. Today, the student has become the master and he applies as much philosophy as technique to his teachings. Powell says training brings benefits way beyond just the physical.
“Martial arts is much more than kicks, blocks and punches. It’s a way of life,” he explains. “For example, the five tenets of Tae Kwon Do are courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control and indomitable spirit. We teach these five tenets right on the floor, alongside the physical instruction, by being courteous with each other, for example, and persevering until we have mastered the move.” He adds that the practice brings confidence and focus. “I’ve had ADHD-diagnosed students who found that martial arts gave them the ability to focus on a task and apply that focus to all aspects of life,” he describes.
Powell indicates that one of his top students is now an instructor. At the age of 15, Alley Cox has a second-degree black belt for under-18s. At the World Karate Commission’s (WKC’s) National competition held in Gatineau, Quebec the weekend of May 17 this year, Cox placed 4th in Canada in Kata, a set of 50 prearranged movements, some hard-fast, some soft-slow. Cox also competed in the weapons division, a very intense division in the martial arts skill set. “Alley has the right focus and determination to excel in this skill,” Powell beams proudly.
Another student adding to the reputation of the local school is Mikael Taillefer. He also attended the WKC’s National Competition in Gatineau, winning third place for all of Canada in Kata, with the same set of 50 movements as his instructor, Alley Cox. Mikael’s father, another student working out at Powell’s dojang on Queen Street in downtown Sturgeon Falls, smiles as Powell relates his accomplishments to The Tribune.
Having done exceedingly well at the national event, Cox, Taillefer and Powell himself earned black Team Canada uniforms as they gear up to compete at the international level at the WKC Worlds, which will take place in Niagara Falls, New York from October 25 to 31, 2025 (see wkccanada.com). Teams from eighteen countries will compete for world titles. Powell’s personal goal is to win gold in continuous sparring, which is kickboxing, in the under 85 kilogram, age 42 and over veterans division. “In 2023 I won silver. I’m hoping for gold this time,” he says.
