The True Karate Kid: 7-year-old Utah Boy Earns Black Belt, Now World's Youngest

Seven-year-old Tanner Gallego completes grueling examination to become world’s youngest karate black belt.

Layton, UT (PRWEB) September 8, 2006 -- Seven-year-old Tanner Gallego of Layton, Utah, is accustomed to smashing boards and making rubble of bricks to amaze his friends and family. But simply crushing raw building materials is not enough to become black belt in karate. Recently, the 80-pound schoolboy completed a grueling seven-hour examination to become the youngest black belt in the world.

Gallego’s black belt examination included, among other things, hundreds of sit-ups and push-ups, a five-mile run in less than an hour, and having to break 12, inch-thick boards in less than two minutes. At the end of the test, he had to prove his fighting skill by battling numerous contenders, including older foes with a black belt.

Mike Burke, Gallego’s sensei, or teacher, has watched in astonishment as the pint-sized Gallego advanced through the karate form known as Shin-Toshi, the oldest form of karate in America. Burke stated “It’s beyond amazing ... to have someone stand up to the grueling test, and be just 7 years old ... he’s the true Karate kid!”

The founder of the Shin-Toshi form, Sabuim Mickey Fisher was dubious when he first learned of the young Gallego’s impending examination. Realizing that achieving the rank of black belt for adults is especially challenging, Fisher was heard to say before seeing Gallego perform: “This ain’t gonna happen!”

But the especially bright Gallego boy has made a believer of his skeptics. Fisher personally supervised Gallego’s examination, and admits that Gallego is everything he expects a black belt to be. “I never thought I would see the day when someone so young would earn the rank of black belt,” Fisher stated. “He’s as much a black belt as any adult we’ve ever trained.”

To interview Tanner Gallego, or to arrange for a karate demonstration, contact American Legacy Media, Call (toll free) 1-866-233-8165 or email .

Established in 1963, Shin-Toshi incorporates multiple forms of karate, chung do kwan, shorin-ryu karate, Chinese kenpo, tang soo do, and kung-fu, and emphasizes physical and mental toughness. Founder and Sabuim Mickey Fisher can be contacted via e-mail.

Gallego’s Sensei Mike Burke can be reached at (801) 475-7426.

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