Most people go their entire lifetime without being able to add the illustrious term “national champion” to their resume.
For Tabernacle’s Kenneth Held Jr. or “Kenito” as his peers call him, ten years didn’t even pass before he became a national champion.
Held Jr. has been racing motorcycles since he was four years old and has already captured two PA State Class Championships in the 50cc and 65cc classes, a regional championship in 50cc and a national championship in 50cc.
However it has not all come easy to Held Jr. He portrays a work ethic that raises the eyebrows of his competitors.
“We have so many other parents who ask us to share our secrets about how he trains and that makes us feel proud,” father Kenneth Held Sr. said. “My wife and I are very proud of him. We have other children that raced but none have demonstrated the level of commitment that Kenito shows at the races.”
Held Jr. originally got into racing through his constant exposure to the sport — his brothers, sister and father were all motorcycle racers as well.
He trains three times a week, traveling to Franklinville, Millville, Englishtown and Birdsboro, Pa because there are no local places to ride in Tabernacle.
He often travels all over the country for competition, going as far as Florida and Michigan last year for the regional and east coast nationals.
Held Jr. admits all of this time spent traveling and working on his craft have taken a big chunk out of his free time, time that is typically spent playing video games or on the playground for most kids his age.
However he truly enjoys his time on his Cobra style bikes, describing it as “all fun.”
“I never have to coerce him to practice. In fact, he often bugs me to go,” Held Sr. said.
Kenito’s worst injury he has ever suffered could have a lot to do with his desire to never miss a practice or a competition.
“The worst injury he ever sustained is the race he didn’t go to,” Held Sr. said.
He missed his first race in 2012 and was involved in a horrific car crash on Route 206 that day.
Held Jr. was airlifted to Cooper University Hospital with life threatening injuries where he spent 10 days in intensive care.
“Oh how we wished we went to the race that day,” Held Sr. said.
His parents described his recovery as miraculous and believe the experience allowed him to discover he is not invincible and made him a more cautious competitor.
Many would have never gotten back into such a dangerous sport again after experiences a motor vehicle accident of that magnitude but he is back to full strength and continues to ride at a high level.
“I’m just used to riding so my confidence level is high. It’s like any other sport I guess,” Held Jr. said.
The young athlete also plays recreational basketball and baseball but admits there is nothing that compares to racing.
“I like doing the other sports but nothing gives me the thrill like riding and racing dirt bikes,” Held Jr. said.
The sport has already brought him a great deal of achievement and publicity.
Kenito has made appearances in several racing magazines, including being on the cover of a recent edition of Brapp Magazine.
He was also told he will be in a nationwide advertisement for a tire company that sponsors him.
However Held Sr. has made sure to not let all the fame go to his head.
“I taught him sportsmanship early on,” he said.
During one of his races Held Sr. was approached by other parents of competitors, informing him that Kenito had stopped during the race to help out a younger racer who had fallen.
“I didn’t believe it until I viewed his helmet camera and saw it first hand,” Held Sr. said. “Sometimes winning isn’t the most important factor at an event.”
Education continues to be the most important factor in Kenito’s young life, as he has obtained several honors awards from the Tabernacle School District.
He loves to read and has proclaimed his interest in becoming a meteorologist after his school days are over.
As for now, he will continue to try and enjoy being 10!
Kenito’s next local event will take place on April 16–17 in Millville. Last year this event hosted over 850 competitors in total, 150 of which were youth racers from all over the East Coast.
