ImageAll martial artists have desires, goals and a focal point to their rigorous training regimen. Whether it's learning self-defense, gaining self-confidence, getting in shape, relieving stress, developing self-control or fighting in tournaments, they seem to concentrate on an initial motive while reaping various other benefits along the way. This is no exception for 16-year-old MacKenzey McNulty, whose primary focus was on tournament fighting.

This world champion has proven herself many times in the national tournament circuit with her phenomenal kicking ability, her fierce attitude and her quick-to-the-draw movements. "My favorite aspect of the martial arts is competition, because I get to travel and meet different martial artists from all over the world," explains McNulty.

Her aggressive fighting instinct, as well as her philosophy, proves that she fears no competitor.

"It does not matter who your opponent is if you believe in yourself, stick to what your instructor has taught you and always think one step ahead of your opponent. In the end, you should prevail," she maintains.

Although competition is what steers this champion's vehicle of desire, she has recognized other important factors that have come with the martial arts territory.

"Among other things, the martial arts have taught me self-confidence," she admits. "When I was younger and was promoted to my next belt, I felt like I was one step closer to achieving my goal of becoming a black belt. The martial arts also taught me sportsmanship, perseverance and ultimately how to protect myself."

Her interest piqued by watching her older sister, Keriann McNulty, win many different world titles.

"I attended many of my sister's tournaments," she recalls. "Soon after, I signed up for karate and started to compete locally, then nationally. It was very gratifying to know that all my hard work paid off by winning a world title in girl's team fighting in 2000."
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It took McNulty years of intense training, along with repetitive traveling throughout the country competing in national karate tournaments, to get to where she is today. She became seeded to attend the NBL (National Black Belt League) Super Grands/World Games to compete for world titles. Her training consisted of going from one karate school to the next during sparring nights to compete with numerous people. Often it would be with adults, both men and women, who were frequently bigger and better than her. "I find that if you train with people who are bigger and better than yourself, you get better, and in the process learn some new techniques," she notes.

McNulty has worked with a variety of instructors throughout her martial arts journey, many of whom she trained with in Philadelphia. After moving to Bradford, Pa., she was happy to come across an American kenpo school, since her background came from a mixture of Chinese and American kenpo.

"I will never forget when my mom and dad took me shopping one day after moving to my new town and we rode by Miller's Kenpo Karate Dojo," she says. "We couldn't believe there was a kenpo school in Bradford. My mom wrote the number down in the car and the rest is history."

McNulty was young when she began her kenpo journey and enjoyed the experience she had at kenpo schools. She admired the atmosphere of learning and having fun while at the same time demonstrating respect and discipline.

She is psyched to get back into tournament fighting now that she has been settled and training for several months. She takes pleasure in competition and the excitement that comes with it.

"I would like to accomplish another world title in team fighting and would love to also get titles in point sparring and continuous fighting," she explains. She hopes the notoriety will help get her name out and assist her in doing modeling for martial art catalogs or magazines.

She is motivated by being the best she can possibly be at everything she does. "Over the years I have trained in the martial arts I have been told the saying, 'the fear of error is the death of success.' I have incorporated this saying in everyday life as well as the martial arts."
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Name: MacKenzey McNulty
Birthdate: Jan. 4, 1990
Birthplace: Philadelphia, Pa.
Current Residence: Bradford, Pa.
Height: 5-6
Weight: 116
Began Martial Arts: 1994
Styles: Tae kwon do, Chinese Kenpo and American Kenpo
Instructors: Gus Torrimaina for tae kwon do, Dennis Leibert for Chinese Kenpo and Michael Miller for American Kenpo
Rank: Black belt in Chinese/American Kenpo
Facts: "I attended and graduated from modeling and finishing school while living in Philadelphia."
10 Years From Now: "I would like to go to college and get a degree in Physical Education, and one day open my own karate studio."