Discipline is second nature for Dutch Fork junior Nora Hanson. 

For over a decade, she has trained to become a top-tier martial artist, while also balancing soccer, a part-time job, leadership organizations and straight-A grades. Karate may take up much of her time, but the skills it has taught her make juggling the rest just a bit easier. 

“You have to trust the process,” Hanson said. “There's going to be times where you don't really know if whatever you're doing is working, but if you keep doing it and keep sticking with it, then it'll come out how it's supposed to.” 

Hanson first started practicing karate at five years old. She originally began because her father wanted her to learn the basics of self-defense. 

The sport quickly stuck as Hanson fell in love with the close-knit community of karate and the opportunity to achieve success through her own dedication.

“I don’t think my dad realized I would like it that much,” she said. “It’s a different sport from normal ones. It’s kind of individual, but you also have a family around you.” 

That family is what has made her karate journey so special. Mom, dad, coaches, comrades and competitors have all have a major influence on Hanson’s life. 

Parents travel with her to numerous events, coaches teach her new tricks and techniques and friends push her to be the best in competition. 

“All of them are very inspirational to me,” Hanson said.

Through the years, Hanson’s karate skills have continuously improved up to the point where she is now competing on a global stage. 

It took her six years to reach black belt, doing so at age 11. While it was a moment that felt accomplished, it also proved to be just the beginning of where karate would take her. 

“Feels like you're just getting started because now you're stepping up into the black belt division with more people, and there's more people watching it,” Hanson said. “It's more of a challenge for me. I like it.” 

She has traveled all over the country to compete against other black belts from around the world. Some of her favorite places she’s visited include Chicago, Denver and Miami. She’s also left the U.S. to compete in events in Canada. 

Most recently, Hanson was at competitions in Atlanta and Orlando. 

In Atlanta, she competed in the Battle of Atlanta World Karate Championships. Hanson placed first in the 16-17 girls black belt double elimination point sparring division, 16-17 girls black belt point sparring division and girls team sparring with teammate Grace Aguilar. 

She also won the Grand Championship title in the 16-17 girls black belt point sparring division. This was the second time Hanson won Grand Champion at the tournament. 

Hanson credits her first win at the Battle of Atlanta for giving her the confidence to continue competing at these highly respected events. 

“I was nine, and I didn’t really know what to expect,” she said. “It was like my first really big tournament ever, and it really sticks with me.”

In Orlando, Hanson competed in the US Open World Martial Arts Championships. There, she finished first in the 15-17 girls black belt open weight division and second in the girls black belt team sparring division with Aria Jones. Hanson also earned a Grand Champion title at this event. 

At these events, Hanson is matched up with some of the other top young martial artists. In her time, she’s crossed paths with competitors from Canada, Mexico, Scotland, Germany, Hungary, Venezuela and Guatemala. 

“It’s really cool to see them all,” Hanson said. “The tournaments bring us all together.” 

When Hanson returns home from competition, she gets right back into her other various activities. 

Besides karate practice, she also plays varsity soccer at Dutch Fork, is a member of the HOSA club, the Beta Club and dabbles in the arts. 

She also has a part-time job working at Publix. 

It can sometimes be overwhelming wearing all of these hats, but Hanson makes it work. 

“It’s definitely difficult,” she said. “A school day is very hard. I usually go to soccer practice, and then right after that, straight to karate practice. Then, I do my homework after that.” 

For Hanson, all of these activities are helping her prepare for the future. 

She has her sights set on college to study something in the medical field. Her mind is just not 100% made up yet. 

She may still be deciding her academic future, but Hanson knows her karate will continue. She hopes to one day become a renowned name. 

“I really want to fight overseas,” she said. “I want to compete when I'm older and be known around the world.”