Guthrie Burnett-Tison, 13, earns black belt in tae kwon do

Guthrie Burnett-Tison seems like any other 13-year-old. He likes movies and music. He likes “Lord of the Rings.” He likes to ride his bike, fish and ski. He plays the flute, piano, piccolo, violin, and is trying out the bagpipes. Well, maybe that last part isn’t like any other 13-year-old. But this may not be either: Guthrie is a first-degree black belt in tae kwon do.

Guthrie Burnett-Tison seems like any other 13-year-old. He likes movies and music. He likes “Lord of the Rings.” He likes to ride his bike, fish and ski. He plays the flute, piano, piccolo, violin, and is trying out the bagpipes.

Well, maybe that last part isn’t like any other 13-year-old. But this may not be either: Guthrie is a first-degree black belt in tae kwon do.

Guthrie, 13, has been a student at Rennick’s Tae Kwon Do Academy for five years. When he was 8 or 9, he set a goal to earn his black belt. And he did, recently earning his first degree black.

Master Michael Rennick, a sixth-degree black belt, said earning a black belt is a significant accomplishment. He couldn’t estimate how many tae kwon do students earn their black belt, but he guesses it’s about 10 percent.

Tae kwon do is a form of martial art from Korea that is more than 2,000 years old.  But people of all ages practice tae kwon do for fitness, to develop self-discipline and self-confidence, improve coordination and flexibility, and learn self-defense.

Tae kwon do also teaches courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-confidence and self-control.

Guthrie said he has gained a lot of self-discipline and improved self-esteem from tae kwon do. That’s good, because he admits he can still “get pounded on” at tournaments.

He said Master Rennick is a good teacher. “He’s inspiring, for one. He’s patient and tough but never mean.”