Slippery Rock High School graduate Chris Manning, left, shares a moment with retired Marine Gunnery Sargeant Leon D. Wright, who is co-founder of the Marine Martial Arts Program and, like Manning, has trained thousands of United States and Multi-National special forces in combative martial arts. Submitted Photo

WASHINGTON, D.C. — In the final minutes of his final Slippery Rock High School boys soccer game, Chris Manning missed out on a record.

“We were going for the school record for consecutive shutouts,” the 1993 SRHS graduate and former goalkeeper recalled. “They took me out of the game late and the other kid let one in.

“It seems funny, looking back on it.”

Perhaps that’s because Manning has been involved in a lot more serious business since.

He spent a 24-year career in the United States Marine Corps, signing up after graduating high school. It was there that he excelled in martial arts, getting inducted into the World Karate Union Hall of Fame in 2018 for his expertise. He was 15-0 with six knockouts in his career as a mixed martial arts fighter.

But, again, he had more serious business to attend to.

“I spent 18 years deployed in five different active combat zones,” Manning said. “I’ve trained special forces personnel all over the world in combative martial arts.

“How important is it? It saves lives.”

This year, Manning was inducted into the World Karate Union Hall of Fame again, this time as Master of the Year. It is a world-wide honor. He was inducted last month during a ceremony in Tannersville, Pa.

Manning is up for nomination in another karate Hall of Fame, based in Atlantic City. If accepted, he plans to turn it down.

“It’s about staying humble, so I’ll probably decline it,” he said. “That induction would be all about me. It’s not all about me. It’s about serving others. That’s why I’m so proud — and humbled — to be named Master of the Year. Working with personnel overseas, all over the world, is a privilege and an honor to me.”

Now living in Washington, D.C., Manning has served in Technical Intelligence Recruiter Operations for more than 26 years.

Besides soccer, he ran track and cross country in high school. Also a bodybuilder, he’s always been a stellar athlete.

But putting his own achievements up against what he coaches and trains others to do? It’s no contest, in his mind.

“Training and helping others succeed is what I’m most satisfied with in my life,” Manning said. “Giving back and helping to save lives is top priority with me.”