By Benjamin Carter
A shy four-year-old sits on his mother’s lap refusing to join the other kids because the martial arts class is simply too intimidating for the young boy. But, after some encouragement from his instructor, he is suddenly participating with the others. Within five minutes, he’s hooked.
Today, Land O’Lakes resident Ethan Dillon, 13, studies a plethora of martial arts fighting styles. He has achieved high ranks in several different disciplines, including two second-degree black belts in karate and mixed martial arts, as well as a first-degree black belt in Krav Maga, the official self-defense training of the Israeli Defense Forces.
“I train 4-6 hours a day,” Ethan says.
Ethan was good enough to make the U.S. Martial Arts Team and compete in the 2012 World Martial Arts Games in Bregenz, Austria. He says it was an experience like no other. “It [was] exciting and intimidating at the same time,” he recalls. “It was my first time on an airplane, my first time out of the United States and my first time meeting the rest of the team.”
Normally, athletes in Ethan’s age group compete in a maximum of three events at the World Games. So, it was impressive that Ethan took on the daunting task of competing in seven World Games categories. In fact, Ethan’s heavy competitive workload earned him the nickname “Ironman” among his peers. He earned a medal in six of the seven events he competed in during the 2012 World Games, including three world titles — in Brazilian jiu-jitsu (also known as “ground fighting”), “no gi” jiu-jitsu (also known as “submission wrestling”) and mixed martial arts fighting.
His jiu-jitsu coach, Roger Kessler of Core Martial Arts in the Pebble Creek Collection in New Tampa, says it is Ethan’s determination and love for his craft that sets him apart from his peers.
“He is a real martial artist,” Kessler says. “He has a passion for the martial arts and because of that he is at a different level than other kids his age.”
Core is one of several dojos where Ethan trains in the different disciplines. He also studies at Lugo’s Martial Arts & Wellness in Odessa, Champions MMA in Lakeland and with the U.S. Martial Arts Team at the Suncoast Karate Dojo in Sarasota.
Fund-Raising Efforts
The Dillon family is trying to raise enough money for Ethan to return to the World Martial Arts Games in 2014 — which will be held in Richmond, British Columbia — to defend his titles. He and Melony were the featured speakers at the October 9 Wesley Chapel Rotary Club as part of those fund-raising efforts. Ethan even demonstrated his expertise in several disciplines to the Rotarians.
“That is one strong 13-year-old,” said “volunteer” Ben Alexander, who sings “God Bless America” at the beginning of every Rotary meeting. “I was afraid he was going to crush my larynx.”
To date, Ethan already has raised $2,000 in sponsorship funds, but remains $4,000 short of his goal. The sponsorship dollars will go toward his transportation and accommodations (as the U.S. Martial Arts team provides no funding at all) for Ethan and his mother and will help to provide the necessary equipment for his various competitions. Ethan’s uncle (and Hernando County Sheriff’s Deputy) Stephen Dillon plans to make the 2014 trip to support his nephew and to lighten Melony’s workload.
While Ethan’s athletic accomplishments are impressive, Melony says it’s a miracle that he is even alive. Three months into her pregnancy, she sustained a serious injury that left her with three herniated discs. Every day, she felt excruciating pain, caused by Ethan resting on her injured spine. Six months into the pregnancy, Melony’s doctor expressed concerns for her health and recommended more than once that she have an abortion.
“But, at that point in the pregnancy, I’ve seen [Ethan],” she says. “I’ve felt him. I walked out of the doctor’s office saying, ‘No, we aren’t going to do this.’”
After a couple of more days, however, Melony’s pain began to subside, as Ethan shifted off of his mom’s injured discs, allowing her to carry him to term.
Today, Melony supports her son’s rigorous training schedule by homeschooling him and his 6-year-old, autistic sister. As a single mom, she often wonders how she manages to support Ethan’s training and education along with a home life. She says she receives a lot of help from her mother, Betty Dillon, who lives at home with the family and looks after Ethan’s sister during his practices and competitions.
“My mom is really good,” Melony says. “I don’t know how I would have done it, trying to balance both of them.”
She adds that Ethan’s late grandfather, Kenneth Dillon, taught him the importance of representing his nation during a global event. “My dad served 28 years [in the] military,” Melony says. “So, for Ethan to represent the U.S. was a really big deal to him.”
To make a donation to support Ethan’s planned trip to the 2014 World Martial Arts Games, visit usathlete-ethan- ironmandillon.com.
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