by Times-Picayune

Alec, whose Thai mother is Somjit Chamran from Buriram, Thailand, and his American father is Robert Demarco, has traveled back and forth between Africa and Thailand until he was 2 years old. Before his third birthday, Alec and his parents moved back to Ohio where he was born. They moved to New Orleans two years ago.

During his many trips to Thailand, Alec spent time at his uncle's kick boxing gym where he played with other 3-year-olds who were training. His father said Alec would mimic the exercises and insisted on having his own workout gloves.

He became interested in martial arts by watching movies starring Jackie Chan and Jet Li. His father registered him at the Liu Institute International in 2007.

"When Alec began training at the Liu Institute International at the age 5, he was already able to do complete splits and had been lifting weights -- light weights and high repetition -- for months," Robert Demarco said. "People noticed his talent and ability to focus immediately."

Alec is now a blue sash martial arts student, which signifies the beginning of advanced kung-fu studies. He enjoys learning the martial arts and said he thinks it helps him with his school studies.

"When I can't remember things, I close my eyes and deep breathe," Alec said. "It helps me to remember. Martial arts training is hard but I know that I have to do it if I want to make myself strong. I don't like getting up early but my dad says it's important. He helps me train and we had a lot of fun.

"Winning the gold and silver medals are sweet. I was so excited that I ran to my father and jumped up and down. He was very proud of me."

Alec's other interests include raising fighting fish, taking care of a pair of lovebirds, target shooting with his air pistol, riding his bike on the levee, and his all time favorite, playing "Star Wars" on his Xbox 360.

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Todd Huddleston, a local multi-award winning martial artist, who was trained in Korea, recently went to Malaysia for two weeks of advanced study of martial arts.

Under master Chi Sup Han, Huddleston studied master level forms, proper breathing techniques and advanced level of self-defense.

During the two weeks of training, Huddleston, Han and other students from Han's School in Bitulu gave a martial arts demonstration for the Bintulu Tai Chi's Tang Soo Do Association in November. Huddleston was awarded a Tang Soo Do Certificate of Achievement at the event.

Among other titles, Huddleston is a certified master of tang soo do by World Tang Soo Do Union at Song Tang City, Korea, and is a certified master of tae kwon do and kirk ki, which he won in Seoul, South Korea.

Huddleston served as tae kwon do master instructor at Yonsei University in Seoul from 1992 to 1999. Among other awards, he was Ambassador's Cup tae kwon do gold medalist, in 1992, 1993, 1995, and 1996. And Huddleston received the "Martial Arts Spirit Award for Perserverance" by educational funding company International Convention in 2006.

Huddleston, together with his wife, Kim Song Suk, founded Yonsei Martial Arts Academy in Metairie. Suk is also a martial artist who was 1992 Korean National Champion in tae kwon do.

"Our students will benefit from what I have learned because I have a understanding of all techniques and can teach effectively," Huddleston said.

For information, call 504.885.8353.

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Members of the Asian/Pacific-American communities in the New Orleans area are invited to e-mail news items to Tina Soong at tsoongtotherim@aol.com

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