Ranch teen wins martial arts tourney

Thirteen-year-old Tiffany Butz is constantly striving to improve her skills every time she steps onto the mat at Ming Wu Martial Arts in Lakewood Ranch.

Since joining the school 18 months ago, the Lakewood Ranch freshman has been focused on working her way up the ranks with the dream of one day earning her black belt. Now, with a red belt (one step below) already around her waist — Butz is well on her way to attaining that goal.

Butz began taking martial arts one-and-one-half years ago after her older brother, Vincent, 15, became interested in the art form.

“My brother did it, and he made me promise to try it out for fun,” said Butz, whose younger sister, Victoria, 9, and mother, Arlene, also practice martial arts. “I did, and I loved it.”

Since then, Butz has continued to perfect her skills and advanced through the ranks. Last year, Butz captured first place in the 12-13 age division of the Sarasota Martial Arts Challenge at The Out-of-Door Academy and the U.S. Open Martial Arts Challenge tournament in Orlando.

On July 1-2, Butz returned to the U.S. Open Martial Arts Challenge, where she won first place in Creative Forms in the 12-13 age division for the second year.

“The U.S. Open has more than 4,000 competitors there,” Butz said of her favorite competition. “You get to meet people from all over the world, including many different countries, which is really cool.”

In addition to competing, Butz also serves as an assistant instructor to the younger kids.

“I am in a group that works with the younger kids every Thursday,” Butz said. “I absolutely love working with the kids. They’re so sweet.”

Butz will now spend the next few weeks enjoying the rest of her summer vacation before heading to Lakewood in the fall, where she’ll be a member of the Mustangs cheerleading squad.

But no matter how busy she may be, Butz will always have time for martial arts. Butz already is looking ahead to her next competition, which will be held in December in Orlando, and the day when she’ll finally receive her coveted black belt.

“I don’t know how far martial arts will take me,” Butz said. “I know I will get to black belt because I am currently a red belt, which is only a step below black belt. I also want to get sponsored, which would be really cool. I hope to continue for as long as I can depending on how things work out.”

And if a career in martial arts doesn’t work out, Butz already has a backup plan in place.

“I hope to become a heart surgeon when I grow up,” Butz said.