USD Magazine, Summer 1995

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hard as necessary to defend himself or herself in an actual fight. Despite his modesty, the judges unani– mously named Serban the victor in the final round. According to custom, the judges bow their heads and raise an arm in favor of the fighter they felt dominat– ed the match. As the two-minute match ended, Serban and his opponent stood side-by-side waiting breathlessly for the results. Both hands shot up for the American student, who bowed graciously before stepping out of the ring. The new champion joined his friends and family to celebrate quietly on one side of the ring. Although Japanese cus– tom dictates a subdued celebration, Serban recalls how excited he was to win. "I was really amazed. It was just overwhelming ... the lights ..." His voice trails off as the memory of his victory comes flooding back. Now Serban is back in San Diego training under Miko Peled at the Okinawa Karate Center, teaching the art of GoJu– Ryu to children and adults, and studying to be an elementary school teacher. He is quick to explain that the field is leveled at next year's tournament - anyone can become champion if he or she trains hard enough. An integral part of that training is learning the respect and moderation that carries over into the daily life of every karate student. "When you're in the dojo (karate school), it's all about learning," Serban says. "It's not about winning, it's not about losing or who's better or worse." Karate appears to be the perfect fit for a young man who's wanted to be a teacher as long as he can remember, but needed the stability offered by a martial art that emphasizes harmony with your– self and the world.

Karate - Serban joined about 400 stu– dents of karate from all corners of the world. Serban's success in the early rounds of the individuals tournament - he also competed as a member of the U.S. team - set up a final-round fight with a New Zealand opponent. The two young men, both in their early 20s, stepped into the ring before hundreds of fans. "I didn't fight like I normally fight because I was so nervous and stressed," Serban remem– bers, admitting he doesn't like being the center of attention. "I was a bit overly aggressive." GoJu-Ryu Karate, Serban explains, is about focus and control. In the two- minute continuous fight, the competitors are judged on attitude and the ability to punch as hard as possible without strik– ing the opponent. The idea is that a karate student with the control to just miss hitting the other person in a tourna-

mince words when describing his years as a high school ath– lete. "I was cocky and I had an attitude," the USD junior says. "I played football and I was that stereotypical jerk." Serban reminisces with the confidence that those days are behind him. Since taking up GoJu-Ryu Karate in the spring of 1991, Serban says he has filtered out the arrogance encouraged by football and emerged a different person. "I've gained a confidence that overpowers the arro– gance," he explains. "I don't have any– thing to prove anymore." Already a black belt, the native of Bakersfield, Calif., capped his career in karate last fall when he was crowned world champion in the light-heavy divi– sion of the fifth annual Miyagi Chojun Festival and World Championships. At the East Lyme, Conn., tournament - named for the founder of GoJu-Ryu

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