VIDEO: West Point Man Takes On The World

WEST POINT, Miss. (WCBI) — 22-year old Demarcus Bynum is going to travel the world, doing what he loves.

The West Point native is cool, calm, and quiet when you first meet him.

Bynum is not your average 22-year old, as he wears the black belt around his waist. He’s a professional in point sparring, and a member of Team USA.

Bynum is on his way to the World Martial Art Games in Johannesburg, South Africa after he tried out and successfully made the American roster.
“When you first get into martial arts, you never think that you can go so far…”, Bynum said, “…but you got to keep God first, and you got to stay focused and listen to your coaches because the coaches have been there, did that.”

Getting to the tournament was no easy task for the Bynum, as he had to find the funds to get to travel.

Bynum said it’s difficult to do without a sponsor, but he was able to collect the funds through his own fundraiser.

On his first trip to South Africa, he’ll face some of the best in point sparring the world has to offer.

“I’m looking forward to just about anybody”, said the quiet, but confident Bynum.

“I train for basically any style to fight because you never know what’s out there. We train for different styles and all that, and I’ll be looking forward to fighting all different kinds of styles.”

Bynum said when he tried out for Team USA in Atlanta, Georgia, the trial tested him mentally and physically.

“It was about thirty people there, and about fifteen left so it’s pretty hard, man”, Bynum said with a smile.

“We were doing a minimum 100 situps, 500 jumping jacks, running two miles, punching a bag for five minutes. It’s hard, man! If you ain’t in shape and your mind isn’t focused I
don’ think you can do it.  But anything you put your mind to, you can do it with hard
work and dedication.”

When he’s not training, Bynum is also an instructor at the West Point Karate School.

The school features people of all ages, and Bynum says he wants to be a role model to the up and coming karate stars.

“You got kids that will look up to you. Kids, one day, that will be in my spot”, Bynum said.

“…if they work hard, anything you can do, you can put your mind to. You can become an instructor, you can make the USA team.”

Demarcus’ trainer, Master Jimmy Nash, said the man he’s worked with for ten years is just as good a person as he is a fighter.

“Demarcus is one of the humblest kids I’ve ever taught”, said Nash.

“He comes in here, puts the work in, he goes to church, that’s the main thing I always preach going to church up in here. I have had no complaint with Demarcus. Demarcus is a good kid, good family foundation, good home family. His mother, hats off to her on how she raised him.”

Nash said “the sky is the limit” for Bynum, and, “I think next year he told me he wants to go start training in cage fighting. I’m not going to hold him back, and I wish him the best of luck with anything he does because the sky’s is the limit for him because he trains.

“He doesn’t cheat up in here. He gives his all every time he comes to class. Even when I got my bad attitude on, he gives me his all.”

Bynum thanks his strong support system for helping him get to where he is in his life.

Bynum said his mother, Victoria Bynum, his brothers Devontae Harris and Soprano Dixon, and the “godfather” Nash for their support.

One of Bynum’s biggest supporters was his cousin, who passed away due to a seizure. Bynum says his passing helped motivate him get to where he is today in his mixed-martial arts career.

Bynum also wanted to thank his church family at Mount Hermon Baptist Church.