WINSLOW — Remembering that martial arts begins and ends with respect, Abigail Dudley, 12, of Winslow carries the martial arts creed with her in everything she does.
The multi-award winning champion says it helps her to maintain a heavy academic and athletic schedule, which includes jui-jitsu with shihan Mike Huard, karate with sensei Huard and shihan Mike Huard.
She is also a member of Huard’s Sports karate team with sensei Mark and sensei Jayme Dennis. Recently she was also invited to join Team IPPONE (Independent Promoters and Practitioners of New England) with sensei Denise Rouleau and shihan Andy Campbell.
To add to her already busy schedule, she also takes dance at Studio One For Dancers during the school year. She participates in gymnastics in the summer at the Alfond Youth Center, and during the school year she participates in after school sports while maintaining an “A” average in her classes at Mount Merici Academy.
Abigail is a four time SMART (State Martial Arts Ratings & Totals) state champion. In 2017, her first year competing in IPPONE ratings, she placed fourth in New England in weapons. This past year 2018, she placed third in kata and fighting and fourth in weapons in New England. At this years 2019 IPPONE opening tournament, she was a triple crown winner, placing first in all three divisions.
Abigail enjoys mentoring and helping the younger students in her dojo and on her teams. Her biggest enjoyment is empowering the younger girls at the dojo, on her teams and those she meets at other tournaments. She finds it very humbling that they want to learn from her and be like her.
Her goal in teaching and helping them is to show them they can do and achieve anything they dream. Being a female in martial arts or any other journey you choose, doesn’t have to limit you, she says, Abigail modeling that through hard work and determination nearly anything can be achieved.
PHOTO: Martial Arts winner Abigail Dudley of Winslow stands with the many trophies and ribbons she has won over the last few years. (Central Maine Photography photo)
