So the 'vid shut us down from 2019-2020 for being able to do any TKD sparring events. So for T that year was mostly training and staying in shape for when he was allowed to fight at competitions again.
In 2021 T only got to do a couple of events then was out the remainder of the year from injuries. One was a foot injury and the other was a salt injury that put him PICU for several days. They had to put loads of salt back into his body that had been depleted from all the training he was doing.
T has had a hard road in this sport. Finding the right coach/athlete fit is no easy task. There are so many great coaches out there and the one T had for right at 5 years is a great coach but he and T weren't connecting like they needed to in order for him to win like he needed to on the larger stages of competition. For 5 years he struggled but his struggle go much worse with Grand Master Cann's passing. He took that really hard because he really connected with her so well. She was the glue that held things together in helping T move forward in this sport. Her guidance was bar none the best. So much changed though when she passed away. Ownership of the dojang and the way in which her instructor coached. Everything just changed. It was changes that T never could fully adapt to and still compete well. He struggled and we struggled in trying to help our son be the best he could be in the sport he loves so much.
In June 2022 we made a change to a dojang closer to home with a Master that T has known since he was a little guy. It's a Master that we respect very much. It also gave us an avenue to have T do all his TKD training there. So now we are at one school instead of 3. We are able to be home more and not on the road traveling all the time. The big, humungous, bonus has been that our son is so incredibly happy again. Seeing a huge smile on his face makes all the difference in the world. Events and medals come and go but your childs happiness is priceless. Them being fulfilled in what they are doing is something you can't put a price tag on.
With his new Master/Coach T won a Silver Medal at National level event, USAT East Grand Prix, in June of this year. He also moved up a weight division and fought in it at another National level event, USAT Grand Prix finals and won a Bronze Medal at that event qualifying him for USAT Team Trials in January. We couldn't be more proud of his accomplishments with his new Master/Coach. This was a much needed change and it's paying off big time for our son. We love where he is right now physically and mentally.
I will try to start doing yearly Page updates of all T is doing and accomplishing from this point forward. So far in 2022 T has won two Gold Medals and a Silver at AAU State Events. He got valuable experience at the Texas Open event even though he didn't get a medal there. Then he got a Silver at East Grand Prix and Bronze at Grand Prix Finals and is going to Team Trials in January. He has moved three weight divisions this year. This kid is growing!!! He's finally got taller than me just this week. Here are some pics of his accomplishments this year.
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| AAU NORTH CAROLINA GOLD MEDAL -41KG |
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| AAU VIRGINIA STATE SILVER MEDAL -41KG |
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| AAU SOUTH CAROLINA STATE GOLD MEDAL -41KG |
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| USAT EAST GRAND PRIX SILVER MEDAL -45KG |
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| USAT GRAND PRIX FINALS BRONZE MEDAL -49KG |
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