Junior mass communications major Jenna Grochow is traveling down to Orlando, Florida this weekend, Nov. 3-5, to compete in the World Championship for Karate and Kickboxing. This will be her second time competing at the World Championship and representing Team USA. Her first time representing the United States was at the competition in Dublin, Ireland in 2016.

There are many different categories to compete in, but they all fall under the form or fighting section. Grochow will be competing in the form section. She will be competing in four events; traditional, empty hand (both Japanese and Korean versions), traditional weapons non-bladed and creative.

Grochow started her karate career when she was six years old, because her father found an advertisement for the opening of Dojo Karate in her hometown of Waconia, Minnesota. Grochow has spent the last fourteen years competing in tournaments against other karate studios but has gotten more serious about her competitions in the last five years.

The 2018 World Championship is a week-long competition in Orlando, but the week isn’t just about the competition. There are opportunities for those competing to explore Orlando.

“I’ve never been to Florida, so I can’t wait to see a new place, and visit Harry Potter World,” Grochow said.

She is also looking forward to having some time off from the stress of college life to compete in her favorite sport.

Though there are many exciting activities in Orlando, Grochow said she a is also nervous to be competing for the United States again. When she was in Dublin, she made it to the final round to compete for either a bronze, silver or gold medal. After the final round, she found out that she was only one point away from getting the bronze medal.

This year she hopes to get her one point back and win the bronze medal. Grochow has spent more time this year training to get better at karate so she can win back her lost point from last year and redeem herself.

Regardless of her score at the end of the week of competition, Grochow said that she values that her competitors believe in good sportsmanship and are very supportive of everyone at the competition. Not many people compete in karate and kickboxing, which makes it that much more unique in her opinion.

“It’s hard to pick one favorite part about karate, but I would have to say the environment,” Grochow said. “Everyone is so talented, and it is amazing to witness what people can do.”

Grochow’s life isn’t only consumed with karate, she has some favorite go-to activities in Winona. She enjoys going to the local coffee shops with her friends, but they go to different shops occasionally for a variety. If Grochow and her friends are looking for a night in, she said that they usually watch movies, relax and just hang out. She also enjoys roller blading around the lakes in town.

“I spend a lot of time editing videos and working at KQAL for my mass communications major,” Grochow said.

She is also minoring in dance, so her time is partly consumed with the production of Dancescape that premieres in February.

Grochow will be traveling down to Orlando, Florida at the end of the week.