Chris excelled in all aspects of life and the martial arts. In school, he was an honor student, part of the choir, school band, and heavily involved in athletics playing for his school on the football, basketball and baseball teams as a starter and captain. He carried his energy into to the field of music playing classical piano, drums and guitar. As a citizen in his community, Chris helped the elderly and the homeless by collecting food and clothing. His love for animals was demonstrated by helping at his grandparents’ animal shelter caring for and finding homes for abandoned animals. His friendship was sincere, he protected weaker kids from “bullies” and came to the aid of those feeling depressed. Humor was his vehicle to enrich the lives of those he was involved with each day. His greatest satisfaction came from being there when needed and making a difference.
He was a nationally acclaimed 1st Dan in Taekwondo, competed for four years, member of 11 different state teams, won 15 state titles and 3 national titles accumulating 15 gold, 6 silver, and 4 bronze at the state level and 3 gold, 1 silver, and 1 bronze in national competition. He was an AAU Taekwondo “All American”, a ’99 U.S. Elite Team member, invited to the ’01 U.S. Gold Team Training Camp at the Olympic Training Center, 1999 Illinois USNTF “Athlete and Student of the Year”, and 5 times “Athlete of the Week” in three different cities.
In tribute to his accomplishments in life & the martial arts, many honors were given, with some cited below:
* Member 2 US and 2 World Martial Art Halls of Fame, plus 6 International Halls of Fame
* Four National and Six International Awards are given in his name and memory, annually
* W.O.M.A.A. honors with Hall of Fame induction at the World Championships in Ireland
* W.O.M.A.A. implements “Chris Canning Outstanding International Competitor Award”
* World Martial Arts Legend, Shihan Fumio Demura, pays tribute with recognition award
* Martial Arts World Games pay tribute with award given by Masters Jhoon Rhee & Choi
* World Black Belt’s Bob Wall & Living Legends pay tribute to Chris with award of honor
* Universal Martial Arts Hall of Fame awards Chris “President’s Medallion of Distinction”
* UMAHoF honored Chris as the “Outstanding Junior Martial Artist of the Past Decade”
* International Kickboxing & Karate Hall of Fame announces induction at Midwest Open
* World Champion, Zara Phythian of GBR, pays tribute to Chris and promotes his legacy
* World Ildokwan Federation of the UK promotes Chris to 2nd dan for achieved excellence
* US Legend & Founder IAMA, Gary Alexander, awards “Martial Arts Leadership Honor”
* USMA International Hall of Fame/Phil Porter induct with Founder's Award of Excellence
* US Legend / World Champion, Tokey Hill, honors Chris at Arnold Martial Arts Festival
* US Coaches, Moreno and Lopez, with Steven Lopez present Chris’ award at Jr. Olympics
* US Olympic Committee’s CEO, Jim Scherr, honors at the USAT National Championship
* US Olympic/National Team Coach, Han Won Lee, writes extensive tribute in his memory
* US Martial Arts HoF inducts as Black Belt of the Year and presents an award in his mane
* Global Martial Arts Hall of Fame inducts as “North America’s Outstanding Martial Artist
* Halls of Fame for Action Martial Arts Magazine & Taekwondo award special recognitions
* USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame inducts in Memoriam with Lifetime Achievement Award
* World / National Champions have given their Gold Medals, to the family, in Chris’ honor
* Articles in Taekwondo Times, Black Belt, Taekwondo Today, MMA, Action Martial Arts
* U.S. President, George W Bush, sent personal letter of recognition & tribute to his family
* U.S. Senator Dick Durbin honors Chris with speech on Senate Floor in Washington, D.C.
* U.S. Congressman, Ray La Hood of Illinois, honors with a written tribute and recognition
* U.S. Points of Light President’s Award & U.S. President Bush’s Gold Star Service Award
* Midwest Championship awards Chris Canning Grand Champion Trophy & Scholarship
* Illinois newspapers/NBC/ABC tv do tributes, Truman College had exhibit honoring his life
* Decatur Mayor declares 11/18/06 “Chris Canning Day” & awards Stephan Decatur Medal
Chris Canning Award of Excellence
Purpose: To recognize a student who lives a balanced life of excellence. This award is not based on the student’s athletic performance at the tournament. Candidate Requirements:
All candidates must hold the rank of Black Belt, 1st Poom, or 1st Dan or above and be a competitor in Kick 4 College tournaments.
Candidates must be between the ages of 12 to 21 years, both inclusive, and a student in elementary, high school, Jr. College or a University.
They must have achieved high academic standing (B average or higher), attained competitive status at the state or national levels, participated in community service activity, and demonstrated the personal attributes of Chris such as motivation, humility, perseverance, care and concern for others, sportsmanship, etc.
An individual may be recommended by a parent, friend, coach, instructor, relative, etc. Those making the recommendation must be at least 21yrs. old.
Format for submitting a candidate
Submitter information—name, address, phone, email, relation to the candidate, martial arts school affiliation, location, their address and phone.
Information on the candidate—name, age and birth date, rank, date achieved, school attending for education, martial arts school, how many years of training in the martial arts. In addition, information on the four standards:
What is the candidate’s grade point average, standing in the class, and what grade is the candidate presently in.
His competitive martial arts experience—How many local, regional, State, National and Junior Olympic tournaments have they competed in. What titles have they won? How many total placements have they won in forms, sparring, breaking, etc. Their highest achievement. What training have they had?
Community service or involvement—name the projects or organization they are a member of or what work they did or are now doing
Personal attributes—describe how they have demonstrated humility, perseverance, concern for others, sportsmanship, etc
What was their toughest competition and why you considered this hardest?
Any additional references, comments or outstanding achievements or recognitions.
