Man with Down syndrome earns black belt in karate

From the Post-Bulletin in Rochester, Minn.:

Despite a runny nose and a barking cough, Bruce Stolp (pictured) joined his fellow karate students. The young man's face furrowed in concentration as he balanced on one foot and extended into a side kick.

For 10 years, Stolp has been a regular at Rochester's National Karate, coming three times a week for practice. His goal from the beginning has been simple: To earn his black belt. But in the beginning, the odds seemed stacked against him.

Stolp has Down syndrome, a genetic disorder that can result in intellectual and physical disabilities. When Stolp first told his parents, Neil and Peggy Stolp, that he wanted to earn his black belt, his parents cautioned him not to set his sights too high, worrying he would end up disappointed. But Bruce would not be deterred.

"When he would talk about reaching black belt, he would tell me 'Dad, I'm almost getting there.' He would just never give up," Neil said.

This month, Bruce reached his long-cherished goal. The 31-year-old traveled to the Twin Cities to test for his black belt and proved he was worthy. At that moment, Bruce said he thought, "Man, I did it."

Defying expectations is nothing new for Bruce. When he was born, his parents said doctors told them to not even bring their son home, saying he would never be able to live independently. But the Stolps ignored that advice, making sure to enroll their son in early education. When some questioned whether Bruce would ever be able to hear or speak, his parents remained confident, getting him hearing aids. Today, Bruce works as a janitor at Resurrection Lutheran Church, lives in Rochester and has a girlfriend.

As parents, Peggy Stolp of Oronoco said, "You are proud of all your kids. But (Bruce) has hit so many goals people would say he'd never hit."

National Karate instructor Bruce Nelson said he remembers when Bruce first came to his school 10 years ago, wanting to earn his black belt. He warned him it would be tough work. But Bruce proved up to the challenge, religiously attending classes and practicing.

There were plenty of frustrations along the way. Often, his fellow students would move ahead faster. And on one occasion, Bruce broke his foot while at practice, but Nelson said Bruce's determination never wavered.

"He never quit in 10 years and I respect him immensely for that," Nelson said.

Beyond earning his black belt, Bruce has proved himself to be skilled at karate form -- taking first and second place in national competitions held in the Twin Cities. When the big day arrived for him to test for his black belt, showing off his punches and round-house kicks before a crowd, his parents said their son earned a standing ovation.

But just because Bruce has reached his goal does not mean he is done. When asked whether the newly-minted, first-degree black belt planned to keep going, Bruce's answer was firm -- "Yes, I do."