The real ‘Karate Kid’ is right here in Roseville

ROSEVILLE — One of Michigan’s own would like to introduce himself to Ralph Macchio and Jaden Smith as the new “Karate Kid.”

Thirteen-year-old Malachi Randalle, of Roseville, has not only watched “The Karate Kid” countless times, he’s practically living it day in and day out.

“Even growing up, I was always told I looked like the Karate Kid before I even did karate, so once I actually started karate, it almost became a coincidence, because people didn’t know I did karate and they’re like, ‘You look like the Karate Kid,’ and I’d say, ‘Well, I can relate because I do karate,’” Randalle said.

“Seeing how he was before and how karate transformed him into a different kind of person where he was more respectful, just his personality and how it changed throughout the movie was something I really catered to and enjoyed,” Randalle said.

Randalle is fresh off a trip to Portugal where he represented Team USA against 15 other countries in the 2024 World Karate & Kickboxing Commission World Championships and not only became a two-time world champion and added a silver and three bronze medals, but also celebrated his birthday and then Halloween in style with a blow-up dinosaur costume as he walked the streets.

But Randalle’s medal-winning trip overseas was nothing abnormal for the martial arts prodigy, for he has countless gold medals that showcase his extensive knowledge and talent in point fighting, Japanese style, Korean style, and CMX (creative, musical, extreme).

Randalle’s training truly shows just how hardworking he is, training six days a week — four days in dojo and two on his own — while competing in 20-30 tournaments a year, which is made possible because of homeschooling.

He’s also part of Team Competitive Edge, a martial arts team composed of children all throughout the United States who compete together and practice virtually.

It’s been nonstop since he first started at 6 years old and began competing at 7, earning his first black belt in Tang Soo Do, but his ability to embrace adversity and overcome obstacles is what his coach, Ty Saint, said sets him apart.

“I think Malachi is a riser,” Saint said. “Every time that I’ve been there and seen Malachi faced with a challenge, he’s left it all out there win, lose or draw. I think that intangible will take him a long way with anything he decides to do other than just kickboxing.”

Saint, 23, is one of the top martial artists in the world and currently is an instructor at Binns Victory Martial Arts in New York, but Saint also trains Randalle virtually and in-person on occasion.

Randalle is your average teenager outside of martial arts, watching “How to Train Your Dragon,” playing video games, and even coding games such as Roblox, but on the mat he’s versatile and dangerous no matter what style of fighting he competes in.

It’s the main reason why he has numerous national and world titles to his name, along with several tournament wins, but it’s not just the success that keeps him going.

“I like the competition and the competitiveness, and I really like the people,” Randalle said. “I know once people think about karate, they think about respect and discipline. You can really see it when you get into the environment.”

Respect and discipline are two traits Randalle prides himself on — characteristics he remembers from watching his favorite movie on repeat and has incorporated into his own life.

“When you meet people that know Malachi, one of the first things they say is, ‘Oh my gosh, he’s so respectful,’” Janae Randalle, Malachi’s mother, said. “I can say I really saw that in him. The ‘yes, ma’am’ and ‘yes, sir’ is something that goes with him everywhere he goes. He’s very disciplined in other aspects of life too, and I can credit that to martial arts training. It makes him more self-motivated.”

In addition to his extensive list of accolades and medals he can barely hold with both hands, Randalle has been a role model in not just his own community, but around the world as well.

When he was in India for a competition, Randalle spent time teaching local children and women self-defense techniques.

In metro Detroit, Randalle has volunteered with Enjoy Detroit, a nonprofit founded by David Woods, to help local youth by supplying them with backpacks filled with supplies and shoes before the school year.

“I grew up with Enjoy Detroit; the owner and the founder is Dave (Woods), and he’s like an older brother to me, so I look up to him,” Malachi Randalle said. “He gives back to the community a lot, so when those events happen, I always like to go out.”

Just recently for Thanksgiving, Randalle volunteered with Enjoy Detroit to provide a full dinner, shoes, haircuts. toys, bingo and a dance party to local children and families in need.

“I’ve just watched how he interacts with other people,” said Richard Plowden, one of Randalle’s coaches and owner of Plowden’s Championship Martial Arts in Southfield. “Because of his skill set and the certain aura that’s around him, he draws young kids to him. To see him interact and inspire young kids as well as the level of respect he has for the seniors in the martial arts worlds, he fits right in because he’s so humble.”

Plowden has known Randalle for three years and been a mentor in his life.

One of seven family members to be a black belt, Plowden first opened his school in 1988, and he’s seen all types of personalities walk through his door, but the way Randalle carried himself early on with Plowden made an immediate impact.

“It was obvious that he was a hardworking kid with a ton of potential, and his attitude was correct,” Plowden said. “A lot of young kids, when they’ve had the level of success he’s had early, they have a little bit of an attitude and believe in the hype a little too much. He’s not that kind of kid at all.”

A lot of Randalle’s humbleness comes from his older brother, Josiah,, and sister Angelnae, who both competed in martial arts as well. Josiah runs track for Fraser High School

They’re close-knit siblings who support each other through and through, and you’ll always catch Randalle with a fan section at competitions.

“It’s really special,” Randalle said. “My sister is busy with college, but when she wasn’t as busy, she was able to come to each tournament. My brother comes to each tournament no matter what state or what country. Every single video, I see him cheering me on in the background, which is really special.”

Follow along with Randalle’s journey on Instagram at iam_malachi_ and join a group of 45.1K followers he’s already amassed by showcasing his personality and world in martial arts.

“In the beginning, I didn’t think I was going to come as far as I did,” Randalle said. “I was posting for the fun of it because I really enjoy making content and I really enjoy karate, so I figured I might as well make my face known for doing something I love, like the Karate Kid, and it grew into a big following.”

Randalle, who also does modeling, is hoping his journey turns into acting in a movie or television show similar to “The Karate Kid,” but his focus is on the World Karate Commission World Championships in Niagara Falls next year.

“The grind never stops,” Randalle said.