For Brody Kosemba, playing multiple sports is his enjoyment.
A star in baseball, soccer and karate, the 10-year-old Rolland-Warner fifth grader recently took his karate talents to Niagara Falls, N.Y., for the 2025 WKC (World Karate Commission) World Championships, representing Team USA at the event. He was one of four boys to qualify for his 10-11 age division in seven out of the eight divisions he tried out for.
"It was pretty cool seeing all of the different countries represented there and all being together in New York," Brody said. "The competition was all super good and hard to beat.”
Brody brought home two silver medals and one bronze medals. He said he wants to qualify in 2026 with his goals to place in more divisions and to bring home gold medals.
Supported by his parents Eric and Jennifer, older sister Jadyn and niece Gianna, Brody has always had a love for sports and athleticism. He balances playing multiple sports at a time and enjoys the challenges with each.
Beginning his karate journey in September 2020 at Dragon Martial Arts in Lapeer after his mother researched a few local schools and choose to take him to Dragon, Brody has never looked back. Initially, his mom was looking for a sport he could participate in a few days per week on a year-round basis. He was hooked his very first class and couldn't wait to learn more. These days, he enjoys the challenge of continuous improvement, earning higher-level belts, and competing.
Starting competition in 2022, that sealed the deal. Brody took a second-place ranking for his age division for both Open and Weapons Forms in the Michigan Sport Karate Circuit (MSKC). He has competed in that circuit every year since striving for first-place state rankings. He achieved that goal in both 2023 and 2024.
Also in 2024, Brody earned his black belt at the age of nine.
Brody attends 2-4 karate classes a week. When he started out, it was two days a week, but once he started competing, he added a competition class to his schedule.
Overall, karate has positively affected both Brody's physical and mental health. It challenges him in both aspects. While it helps keep his body physically fit and strong, it also challenges his mind. It has helped build his confidence and self-discipline. His parents appreciate how karate is all encompassing.
His instructor, Master Dan Cousineau, not only teaches karate, but also encourages being good citizens and students. The students bring in their report cards periodically for his review. They are not allowed to be on the competition team if they are not up to par.
As karate may not have the popularity of sports like football, basketball or baseball, Brody encourages kids to take a chance and see what karate can offer.
"It is a pretty fun sport, give it a try, and I hope you have fun," said Brody. "You will get stronger, more disciplined, conditioned, and you'll learn how to defend yourself."
Looking ahead at his long-term goals, Brody said he wants to be a professional athlete, wants to get good grades and be involved in school team sports, and wants to be a world champion in karate and earn a seventh-degree black belt.
