Valparaiso University student Hailey Reichelt ’28 achieved a world championship title in her division at the 2026 World Union of Karate-Do Federations World Championship, held in Romania. The victory marked a significant personal milestone for Reichelt, who had previously secured second place twice on the world stage. Following her win, Reichelt expressed disbelief, calling it “an incredible feeling”.
Reichelt's journey in martial arts began at age eight, taking lessons at Homann Karate Do in Crown Point, Indiana. Her parents were initially convinced by her senseis that she had the potential to become a champion. Reichelt recalls having no idea what competing in karate looked like at the time but quickly developed a deep commitment to the sport, sometimes training three to four hours a day, five days a week.
Her dedication translated into rapid competitive success, progressing from local to regional, state, district, and national champion in both USA Karate and AAU USA Karate. Reichelt's achievements also include two Vice World Championship finishes, a European Cup medal, a U.S. Open medal, and a South African National Championship. Despite this success, Reichelt states she faced numerous challenges, including back-to-back injuries, doubt from coaches and friends, and significant self-doubt about balancing her commitments and how she had advanced so far.
A recent challenge occurred weeks before her world championship victory. After bringing home four gold medals from South Africa in April, Reichelt competed in a national championship in July while sick, losing the gold medal. She described the result as devastating, leading her to debate taking a break from representing her team. This experience became a learning opportunity. The world championship itself began with a setback when Reichelt lost her first match in open weight. She recalled this initial loss hitting her hard, requiring a conversation with her coach, Coach Ocampo, to regain focus.
During this conversation, Reichelt was faced with a choice: allow the first loss to define her tournament or change her approach for the remaining three divisions. She chose the latter, crediting her personal turning point to finally believing in herself. This shift, she explained, was crucial for her ultimate victory. Reichelt emphasizes that a confident and resilient mindset can be applied to any aspect of life. She expressed gratitude for those who helped her realize this, calling it her most memorable and rewarding challenge.
As a full-time student, Reichelt balances her athletic pursuits with academics at Valparaiso University. She chose the College of Business, drawn to its motto “Do well by doing good” and the supportive environment. Advisors, professors, and staff, including her advisor Brett Calland, Dean Matt Luth, and Lecturer in Management Karl Madsen, have provided significant support with scheduling, coursework, and overall academic progress. Reichelt initially pursued a management major but later specialized in human resources management, aiming to create welcoming workplace environments. She also earned minors in sports management and project management, aligning with her long-term aspirations of potentially opening a karate dojo or becoming a sports manager for AAU karate.
Beyond her studies and karate training, Reichelt is actively involved on campus. She serves as vice president of pledge education for Delta Sigma Pi and is the chapter president of Valpo’s Gamma Phi Beta sorority. She expressed pride in her ability to balance these leadership roles with her studies, campus involvement, work and training at her dojo, and travel for competitions. Dean Luth and her professors have collaborated with her to maintain academic progress.
For other student-athletes facing similar demands, Reichelt advises them to lean on their team, learn from diverse experiences, and prioritize self-care. She acknowledged her own past struggles with burnout and the importance of allowing oneself to show emotions beyond “happy, winning moments.” Looking ahead, Reichelt plans to continue competing and aims to reclaim her national title. She also intends to pursue coaching, with a particular focus on supporting young women in the sport.
