Black belts and gold medals: An Eagle’s guide to success in martial arts
- Cadence Bakker
- Student Life
- Contributors: Cadence Bakker, photos
5 – minute read
Like many Florida Gulf Coast University students, Samuel Gonzalez spends time in classrooms, at club meetings and at the University Recreation & Wellness Center, where he works as a program assistant.
Sometimes, he can also be spotted flipping about on the rec fields at soccer club games or on the Library Lawn. It’s not just for kicks. As a black belt, grand champion, gold medalist and Florida head coach of the U.S. Martial Arts Team, this FGCU senior is on the fast track to success in the martial arts world.
He’s been on that path since he was 3 years old and joined his five sisters in karate classes. “I kind of got jealous because they got all the attention,” he jokes.
With so many years of experience under his black belt, Gonzalez has racked up an impressive collection of awards and rankings through competitions all over the world: gold medalist for the World Martial Arts Games five times over; continental titles in Latin America, North America and Europe; No. 1 in the world for numerous divisions in the North American Sport Karate Association and the International Sport Karate Association; and district, state, national and elite world champion titles in the USA Sport Karate League.
Accolades aside, he says one of his proudest accomplishments is earning his black belt. “I first started the test when I was 13 or 14. I ended up taking my black belt three different times before I actually got it.”
The experience taught him perseverance and tenacity, he says, attributes that still serve him well today.
Getting involved at the Nest
Gonzalez’s journey at FGCU was influenced by his sister, Sasha Gonzalez (’22, management). While deciding whether to enter the military, start his own karate school or pursue higher education, he was encouraged by his father to follow in his sister’s footsteps and join the Nest.
He did, choosing a management major with a sports management concentration. Now he balances classes with trips to martial arts competitions across the globe and work shifts for his part-time job at the wellness center. While it all can be overwhelming, Gonzalez credits his FGCU professors and supervisors for being understanding and flexible about his complicated schedule.
“I’m a student-athlete, not an athlete that does student on the side, you know? It’s just that immigrant mindset of ‘we have to get our education done first, then all that stuff can come after,’” he says.
As a recreation center program assistant, Gonzalez hires new student employees, schedules and trains staff and manages some events, including REXPO and the Weeks of Welcome favorite, canoe battleships. The role brings both physical and social fulfilment to Gonzalez’s busy life.
“(That’s) where all my friends are primarily, and I just love being at the gym.” Most people encountering him at work would never know he’s a big deal in the global martial arts scene. “At the gym, you see me as a guy who’s telling you to take off your Crocs and put on real shoes — not really the guy who can kick you in the head.”
Some students might be stressed by so many involvements, but Gonzalez says he thrives on busyness. On top of everything else, he’s been involved with men’s soccer club and helps the women’s soccer club train.
Outside of sports, Gonzalez likes to connect with student communities that hit close to home, including the Latin American Student Organization and Salseros, a salsa dance club. He’s also performed routines for the Asian Student Association at their events.
“For us as Hispanics to have people from different cultures accept what we do is very heartwarming,” he says. “We’re very put down when it comes to being immigrants, so being able to show our culture means a lot.”
Soaring to the top
After representing the U.S. Martial Arts Team in 2022, Gonzalez was asked to join the Florida coaching staff based in Orlando. When the head coach stepped down, Gonzalez stepped up. He credits his success to excellent teachers along the way. Like them, he coaches athletes to aim higher than their mentor.
The perseverance and tenacity he learned when first earning his black belt continues to serve him well as a coach, a competitor and a college student navigating life’s occasional hardships. When his father died in April, Gonzalez called it his “biggest setback ever.” But he focused on his personal wellness and well-being, and the communities surrounding him rose to meet him.
“It helped a lot. At the end of the day, we do lose people. We do have to overcome,” he says. “What FGCU has taught me is that there are people there for you. No matter where you are, there are people in every corner.”
And they will be cheering for Gonzalez as he pursues more trophies for his collection in November at the World Martial Arts Games in Norway. Through all of the bustle of being a student, a competitive athlete and a coach, he continues to aim higher.
“That drives me — to do better than what I was doing yesterday,” he says.