The Annapolis resident was captivated with the
TV warriors when he was little and started taking classes at East
Coast Martial Arts to learn to how to do what he saw on the show.
Phoenix, now a sixth-grader at Annapolis Middle
School, isn’t a Power Ranger yet, but he’s quite a
force in tae kwon do nonetheless. The 11-year-old black belt has
a house full of awards, with the latest and most prestigious coming
last month at the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) Junior Olympic
Games.
Besides taking two golds and a bronze at the Virginia
event, Phoenix won the Joel Ferrell Outstanding Performance Memorial
Award. He was given a trophy and his name will be inscribed on
a special plaque at AAU headquarters in Florida.
The award recognizes “the standout athlete of the year”
in each sport at the games, said Mike Friello, the AAU’s
national chairman for tae kwon do.
“It’s a big honor,” Mr. Friello
said. “Their name is held in prominence forever.”
Tommy Lee, owner of East Coast Martial Arts, said
Phoenix distinguished himself at the August tournament not only
because of his performance, but also because of his attitude.
“Phoenix is an awesome kid,” Mr. Lee
said. “He’s an awesome martial artist, but beyond
that, he’s an awesome kid. We’ve had a lot of people
win (medals), but we’ve never had anyone win the Joel Ferrell
award.”
In fact, Mr. Lee said that, since the award was
first given for tae kwon do in 1993, no Maryland student had ever
won it.
Phoenix’s winning attitude was evident in
the Junior Olympics match where he took the bronze. At one point,
his opponent knocked him down with a hard kick. Though Phoenix
wasn’t knocked out, it took him a while to get back on his
feet. But staying down or giving up was never an option; he had
to get up, he said.
Phoenix just shrugs when asked more questions
about the sparring contest, then notes that he’s been hit
even harder. A kidney blow once landed him the hospital emergency
room. He was OK, though.
“I never said I was good,” he explained
with a smile. “But it’s fun for me. It’s taught
me discipline and self-esteem.”
