Burnaby British Columbia- Lolo inspired the daylights in Abigail Valdez, Bronze Medalist at the 2016 World Juniors Taekwondo Championships.
Abigail was only in Third Grade when her lolo’s karate prowess inspired her to take up her own favourite martial arts, taekwondo.
She is now in Grade 10 and her inspiration has brought her to places beyond her initial dreams.
Asked how her mental frame works before a fight competition, she calmly answers, "I always attribute my success to God, firstly." Abigail continues, "then I listen to my coach and believe in myself."
Otherwise I can be hurt in this deadly sports.
“I had broken lips fighting in competitions,” Abigail confides.
Abigail had to overcome three strong opponents to garner the Bronze Medal.
Other young people take up Taekwondo to boost their self-esteem or perhaps to take a strong stand against bullying but Abigail got inspiration from her lolo who was a karate expert.
Abigail has come a long way from being a lolo's girl to becoming a world class fighter. Today it is the World Junior Championships. Tomorrow the Tokyo Olympics.
