A FIGHTER WITH A HUGE HEART; DUNN OVERCOMES ILLNESS WITH HELP OF KARATE.

Byline: David Soloway Special to the Daily News

For a 6-year-old, Justin Dunn of Woodland Hills has accomplished an unimaginable amount. But for someone who was, as his father James Dunn describes it, ``born with a rare blood disorder between leukemia and AIDS,'' Justin is a hero.

Since he was 3, Justin has been working hard, not only to stay healthy but to master the physically and mentally demanding sport of karate. And his progress in those three years of training has been impressive.

In 1996, Justin won the United Sports Karate League Forms & Sparring Championship and the Richard Robinson Black Tiger Forms & Sparring Competition. This year, Justin has won the Jody Sasaki Tsunami Open Forms, the Ceicel Peoples March Madness Forms and the Jose Pachecos Sparring Championship.

His tournaments have taken him to British Columbia, Las Vegas, Washington, Arizona and throughout California for competitions.

Fortunately for Justin, his disease was recognized early enough, just before he turned 2. He takes medications daily, but as his father says, ``If it wasn't for that medication, Justin wouldn't be able to compete like he is able to today.''

For Justin, when deciding what activity to participate in for the daily exercise he needed, the choice was simple. His older brother Geoffrey, who is 9, had been active in karate, and when given the chance to follow in his brother's footsteps, Justin quickly accepted the opportunity.

``We chose karate for Justin because he needed some kind of sports therapy to help him grow,'' his father said. ``It was the perfect sport because it is indoors and consequently will prevent him from getting heat stroke, something he obtains easily.''

American Kempo, the specific type of karate that Justin and his brother participate in, was started by the recently deceased Ed Parker. Parker is considered the father of Kempo, and has taught the likes of Elvis Presley and more recently, Justin's coach, Mohammed Pabapabai. Each year, for the last 34 years at the end of July, the Parker family hosts the Ed Parker Championships, and this year, Justin has been invited to compete.

On Aug. 9 and 10 in Burbank, Justin plans to present the most inspirational award at Hollywood Classics, a karate competition. He won the award last year. The promoter for Hollywood Classics explains his reasons for giving Justin the award: ``That little kid has more guts than any of us, and there isn't a single fighter who couldn't learn somehting from him.''

Justin, who will be a first grader at Woodland Hills Elementary this fall, enjoys school, spending time with his friends, skiing, fishing, and of course, karate.

``I love practicing karate, competing in the tournaments, and traveling. Karate is a lot of fun, and I hope I do it for a long time to come,'' he said.

He also helps out Children's Hospital, trying to repay the staff members there for all of their kindness and generosity toward him, and has plans for some of his karate-master friends to give demonstrations and just talk with the kids.

Justin is proof that determination and heart can beat the odds. As his father puts it, ``Justin goes out and gives it his best effort, despite the handicaps that he faces. We are trying to prove that regardless of the obstacles you might have to face, you can still turn things around.''

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PHOTO Despite a rare blood disease, 6-year-old Justin Dunn practices karate with coach Mohamad Pabatabai.

Joe Binoya / Special to the Daily News