Who Was Chris Canning?
Christopher James Canning
9/20/85 to 6/30/01
Christopher, from the time he was born, was a Nova, burning brightly with high intensity. In his short life of fifteen plus years, he accomplished more, touched many, and expressed a deep and sincere love and concern for all those around him, especially his family. Chris had many aspects and parts that made up the whole of his life. He was many things to many people, but he was there for everyone when they needed him most. Chris had his emotional side, physical attributes, intellectual capability, musical love, and his physical being.
Emotionally, he had a big heart, a gentle soul, and a genuine concern for those he was involved with in his everyday life. With these emotional pillars at the base of his being-- his friendship was one that could be counted on, his concern for others would render him a protector of the weak, an aid to the needy, and a strength that you knew was there. He wore his feelings on his sleeve and had no shame or embarrassment about showing them and responding to them. Especially with his family, he was never reluctant to show his affection or express his love, regardless of where he was or what he was involved in.
Physically, he was always on the slight side and compensated for his slender build by his determination, dedication, competitive spirit, and strong desire to face the challenge. These motivational aspects of Chris rendered him an indomitable force resolved to prevail. As a result, he was an exceptional athlete both in and out of school sports. For his school, he played football for three years, was captain for two years, was considered the best defensive player and played every minute of every game. He played on defense, offense, and special teams. In basketball, he was a starter for three years, played on the all star traveling team, and was considered the best all around player, based on scoring, defense, assists, steals, and blocked shots. He also played indoor and out door soccer, baseball, and ran track.
Outside of school athletics, he took up and mastered the martial arts—Taekwondo. He was 15 times a State Champion, a member of 11 state teams, 3 time U.S. National Champion, a member of the U.S. Elite Team and invited on the U.S. Gold team at the Olympic Training Center. He was a Taekwondo AAU “All American”, Illinois Athlete and Student of the Year, and five time athlete of the week in three different cities.
No matter how he was honored, be it with awards or titles, Chris would never talk about them. If your source on his accomplishments was his admission, you would never believe he was involved in sports. During interviews with the newspapers and television, when he was athlete of the week or year, he would respond to questions by the media with only “yes and no” answers. It made the interviewer’s job very difficult, but that was the modesty in Chris.
Intellectually, he was academically solid and was consistently on the honor roll. He loved math, reading, and music. This is not to say he didn’t raise “cane” at times, he did. He served his share of lunch hour detentions, after schools, etc. He liked school, and most of his teachers, and they liked him. Chris liked to read books outside of what was required for school. He liked to challenge himself on different subjects. He looked forward to going to College and getting a job. He wanted to be in special forces or with the FBI.
Musically, he played the classical piano for four years, played in three recitals, played the drums in the school band for four years and won a state championship doing that. He decided he liked the acoustical guitar and taught himself how to play. He liked listening to the Beatles and Pink Floyd along with some of the more popular bands like Smashing Pumpkins, Nine Inch Nails, and Tool.
Chris’ physical being and presence were an energy force that electrified the environment he was in at the time. Activity surrounded him, which he then perpetuated with enthusiasm and total involvement. If he left during the activity or event or at the end of it, you realized he was gone. The wind was no longer in the sail and the activity would glide to a slow end. Chris made things come alive!!
Two aspects of Chris that stood out, were his desire to make others happy or laugh and his love for animals. His sense of humor was satisfied even if it was at his expense. He would gravitate to those who were feeling down with the sole purpose of bringing a smile to their face and cheering them up. If it required him to make fun of himself or do something foolish, this was the price he was willing to pay. His reward or payback was making someone feel better. His love of animals was fulfilled by caring for and finding homes for abandoned animals. He would help his grandparents with their animal shelter during the week and help adopt animals out on the weekend. Some of them became a permanent part of his family. His strong love for animals was highlighted by his affection and attachment to his dog, “Max”. Chris took this 125-pound cross between a German Shepard and a retriever from the shelter and made him a member of the family. They were inseparable and played constantly together.
Christopher’s motivation came from competitive challenge, curiosity, courage to take on the feared, and a drive to excel. He would answer these motivational drives without concern for the result to himself, as he had to know what it was, how it felt, what would happen and never thought of what harm might come to him. You couple these motivational aspects with his personal attributes of friendship, tenderness, kindness, his athletic abilities, and comedic interest and you had a power force that could conquer all.
He was a family oriented guy and took his role in the family very serious. Each night he would call his grandparents and ask if they needed anything before he went to bed. After that he would always ask his parents the same question before saying good night. No matter what, he always made sure he told his entire family, one at a time, that he loved them before he turned in. Chris would do this no matter if he were at a friend’s house or at home. His family was his highest priority.
While his physical being is gone, his spirit and energy surround and protect his family until they can be together once again, with God. They feel bad for all those who Chris touched, who only had the chance to share one or more sides of him. His family was blessed with fifteen years of all aspects of Chris. God spared him of today’s world, and its deficiencies, since it would be too much for his big heart and gentle soul to endure. How do we know all this, Christopher was our son.
Return to Chris Canning Foundation Page
Documentation of some statements made by individuals who knew, honored or paid tribute to Chris’ achievements and what he represented both in life and the martial arts
*** Dr. Elaine Valdov, Secretary-General, 5th Annual Youth Assembly at the United Nations, stated in the “Legacy of Service Award” presented to the family in tribute to Chris on 8/16/08. (Only recipient out of 900 youth in attendance from over 60 countries)
“This award is given in Honor of his Commitment to the United Nations Millennium Development Goals, Humanitarian Service and Making the World Better for All.”
*** U.S. President George W. Bush stated in a letter he sent to the family September 9, 2003:
“Christopher’s strength and determination were an inspiration to others. His love for life and family will not be forgotten”.
*** U.S. Senator Richard Durbin of Illinois stated in a speech made January 30, 2003 in the 108th Congress, first session, on the U.S. Senate Floor in Washington, D.C. in Chris’ honor:
“In short, Christopher J. Canning was a caring young man, a good citizen, an asset in his academic environment, and a nationally acclaimed athlete. …"
“The memory of Chris Canning lives on, and today I pay tribute to a young man who had so much promise as an athlete, student, martial artist, community servant and son. His example will always be an inspiration to those who follow in his footsteps.”
*** Robert K. Goodwin, President and Chief Executive Officer of the U.S. Points of Light Foundation stated in the President’s Award given in May, 2003 for helping the homeless/poor:
“…in celebration of his life and in recognition of his spirit of volunteer service to better the lives of others”
*** In the featured article “A Life Signed With Honor” by Gordon Woods, Editor and Chief of The Weekender, DeWitt County, Illinois written on 8/29/03 he stated:
Writer Stephen Spender once wrote in a poem about exceptional people, “..they traveled a short while towards the sun, and left the vivid air signed with their honor.” Perhaps Chris Canning left the signature of honor upon his life and touched some others along the way.
***Greg Bach, Vice President of Communications for the National Alliance for Youth Sports , stated in a letter of tribute on Chris dated and sent to the family on 4/7/10:
"Besides the outstanding athletic ability that Chris possessed, what most impresses NAYS is the tireless efforts he made to help others and make a positive difference in their lives. That is a remarkable quality of a truly special person. Clearly, anyone who came in contact with Chris benefited in some way, and that, is the greatest indicator of all, of the type of person that Chris was. While his time here was far too short, the impact he had on so many lives, and continues to, is beyond extraordinary. Chris Canning is the epitome of what being a young athlete is all about and, just as important, he represents what being a model person is all about"
*** Rick Blair, member of the AAU Executive Committee, in his speech at the third presentation of the Chris Canning Award of Excellance on 7/7/2004, in the opening ceremonies of the US AAU National Championships:
“…This award is named in honor of an athlete who trained hard, and won. Who fought fairly, and was not braggadocio. Who kept his head up through injury, and worked harder to come back stronger. Who was strong himself, yet found the compassion to help others. Who was a champion in the ring, and a champion in the classroom. A youngster who had a sense of right and wrong, and knew where is his priorities were. An incredibly gifted young person that revered God, respected and loved his family and was fervent in perpetuating these ideas.”
*** Bob Gambardella, CEO of USATaekwondo and TKD National Governing Body of USOC, contacted me on 2/11/05 and stated,
“he and the USAT would be honored to adopt and perpetuate the “Chris Canning Award of Excellence, this award can be the catalyst for a National Awards program for the USAT”. The USAT National Awards Program was developed, announced at the Junior Olympics in June of 2005, and the first Chris Canning Award was presented at the USAT Sr. Nationals in San Jose, California on 10/27/05 during the opening ceremonies.
***Carol Hart, Editor, and Charles Stepan, Asst. Editor for the Taekwondo Times Magazine wrote an article titled a “Tribute to Excellence” in honor to Chris, which was published in the November, 2005 issue of TKD Times and it stated:
“ Tribute to Chris Canning ... He was only 15 when a freak accident took the life of not only a promising world-class martial art competitor but also a world-class human being. Martial art organizations are recognizing the young man who accomplished so much in so few years.”
“…He was like a meteor, streaking through our lives, and etching an incredible martial arts history. Oh, yes, they do come along in our life times…now and then you see them…the absolute culmination of years of training and talent…but, wait, this one never reached his sixteenth year! Fifteen years old, and already a nationally acclaimed martial artist! Christopher James Canning, Decatur, Illinois – an honor student, a master of classical piano, an accomplished athlete for his school, a youngster who went out of his way to meet and help the homeless and the poor in any way he could. This young man took on his school work, his school’s extra curricular programs, his musical studies and his Taekwondo training, and yet found time to put in 15 to 20 hours a week working in an animal shelter.”
***Grandmaster Bob Wall, President of WorldBlackBelt, stated in the presentation speech for the award given to the family in Chris’ honor at the World Black Belt / Living Legends banquet and “Battle at the Boardwalk” competition in Atlantic City, New Jersey on 2/18/06:
“…Chris was more than a nationally acclaimed martial artist, he was a honor student, a classical pianist, a athlete for his school,... Chris was a young Bruce Lee or Chuck Norris and destined to be great. He now is part of the Living Legends family and will be an inspiration for the youth of today and tomorrow.”
***Grandmaster Gary Alexander, North American Legend, President and Founder of the International Association of Martial Arts, states in the “Martial Arts Leadership Award” given in honor of Chris’ life accomplishments at 2005 IAMA Hall of Fame and Awards Ceremonies:
“This plaque is being awarded in “remembrance” of Chris Canning the young, outstanding Martial Arts Champion that set the example, and served as an inspiration for all Martial Artists, young and old, to respect and set their goals by. IAMA recognizes that during his brief life (15years) with us, that Chris has left a huge footprint for the Martial Arts, and Humanity, that many others never achieve in extended lifetimes. His is the path of perfection for others to follow.”
***Fumio Demura, World Legend of Martial Arts, sends an award of honor (personally signed by Shihan Fumio Demura), 9/29/06, in tribute to Chris for what he accomplished and represented. This was given after Shihan Demura read material on Chris, who he was, what he achieved, and how he lived his life. The award states:
“Honorable Recognition—Christopher J. Canning—Shito-Ryu Karate-Do Genbu-Kai expresses honor and respect for the dedication, spirit, and strength of character of this young man, who lived his life with true expression of and belief in Budo Spirit. His example will live on to inspire others to live their lives with the same spirit and the same dedication to fairness, strength, and truth.”
***Dave Askinas, CEO and Secretary General of the USA Taekwondo National Program, presented the family with a certificate of recognition from Jim Scherr, Chief Executive Officer of the United States Olympic Committee, during the opening ceremonies of the 2006 National Taekwondo Championships. In the award it stated:
“….This certificate is awarded in memory of Chris Canning, of the U.S. Takewondo program, for recognition of living his life as a representative of the Olympic ideals and for his personal, artistic, athletic and academic excellence.”
Dave Askinas stated,
“….What a wonderful young man Chris was and I am sorry for your loss and the loss to the world of Taekwondo. I am proud to present the second annual award in Chris’ memory and honor this year at these Senior Nationals as well as the recognition award given to the family by Mr. Jim Scherr, CEO of the United States Olympic Committee ”.
***Grandmaster Joon P. Choi, Chairmen of the USAT Martial Arts Commission and USAT Board Member, stated in a letter of tribute honoring Chris and given to the family on 9/20/10,
“I consider it a high honor to be associated with his life and to be a part of his legend. As you know, qualities such as honor, respect, dedication, compassion, loyalty, and humility are the basis of my being and Chris exhibited all these attributes. Therefore, to have my name associated with his, strengthens and enhances the basis of all that is important to me. Chris' absence will always be felt, but his spirit and what he believed in, has been absorbed in the fabric that supports the martial arts community."
