Queen of Martial Arts

Written by: Domonique Whitehurst | Photography by: Allen Allnoch

Back in 2019, Zareyah Ross won the World Championship title for karate and martial arts. During an interview with Ross, she talked about her dedication, goals, inspirations, and future expectations within martial arts.

In the opening of the interview, Ross hinted at the idea that success cannot happen without an organized plan. Ross says that her karate instructor pushes her to set goals to not only excel within the sport but in her overall career. “One of the biggest ways is that he encouraged me to set goals. Setting goals is the biggest thing. That’s his biggest thing that he goes by and he ensures that all of his students set goals to make sure their careers more organized,” said Ross. Zareyah believed her determination and focus to accomplishing her goals were her ticket to winning worlds.

Every athlete, no matter the sport, deserves their own cheerleading squad. For Ross, she says her parents and family take on that role. “My parents are probably my number one supporters. My entire family, they are always… I mean, just them driving me out to tournaments and making sure that I'm well-rested in a good hotel, or just those simple things is what really kind of fueled me to make sure my success was success ful. Yeah, it’s just the little things helped me a lot, and I really appreciate them for that,” says Ross. There’s a comfort that comes from a supportive family.

For Ross, martial arts are more than just a sport. She said during her interview that karate is a moment in time when she can block out the outside and truly experience freedom. Karate is a sanctuary where Ross can leave all her worries and stress on the mat. Aside from that Ross also shared that karate has allowed her to mentor younger students. She expressed her love for teaching and motivating younger martial artists; some might say it’s a tedious task, but Ross said her pure enjoyment of being around the children lessens the demand.

“For all the other young girls out there, who aspire to be martial artists or world champions or something even more; my main thing is to just believe in yourself,” said Ross. “I know it's such a typical little phrase but really believing in yourself is what's going to help you push yourself forward and not letting any negative words or negative feelings from other people or other outside factors.”

Ross uses her own personal inspiration to fuel her strides to athletic success. Martial artist Chloe Bruce is an athlete that Ross models her lifestyle after. “She is a multi-world champion. She is an actress, and she is a brand ambassador for some of my favorite martial arts brands. She definitely set the goal for me to want to push myself harder; even to this day I still, you know,

follow and support her through everything that she does and for what she stands by.”

Ross continued to point to the fact of Chloe Bruce being a woman in a male-dominated sport. Any woman able and willing to shine brightly on a platform built for a man is a powerhouse. Ross said one day she too wants to break barriers and create a new standard for women in martial arts.

Since winning a state and world title, Ross had turned her focus to her education. This year she began to slowly get back into training for upcoming tournaments, ensuring she pays close attention to any COVID-19 regulations. To get her body back to the swing of karate and contact, Ross said she wants to aim for smaller competitions for the time being.

One can label Ross as a modern-day Superwoman. But every superhero has their kryptonite. For Ross, it is her nerves. She says her nervousness sometimes hinders her performance in competition. To weaken the pressure of competition, Ross uses her past accomplishments as her motivation.

“I always think back to how far I've worked to get to that place. When I get scared, I can't do that,” said Ross. “I have to be there for all of my students and show them that it is possible for, especially an African American woman to get here. I definitely always have to do some self-reflection, to handle the pressures before I go in and compete for my way.”

In this upcoming season Ross said she will focus on spiking her confidence levels so when the time comes to spar, she will have nothing standing in her way.

With every “weakness” there are greater strengthens that overshadow them. Ross expressed her determination and self-discipline as being her greatest strengthens. Without these two characteristics, she believed that her setting her goals would have been pointless. Her determination pushes her to obtain the goal; her self-discipline aligns her mind to not lose focus.

Faith and family fuel this martial artist’s motivation. When she’s not sparing Ross dedicates her to time serving within her church and hanging out with her family and friends. “Serving is just something I love doing. I feel like it's really God's plan for me. And just being at church just makes me a better and a happier person in general, and just being in God's presence,” Ross said.

Think about this. There is nothing a Black Woman cannot do. From the current Vice President of the United States of America to the highest-paid female athlete. Zareyah Ross is fortunate to be among this special group of women. With faith, goals, and ambition leading the way it is safe to say that Ross will break and dominate any glass ceiling that is set above her.