MOORE - Lance Nichols said judo has taught him a lot about discipline and control, plus it keeps him active after school.
Advertisement
"It's taught me to pick myself back up when I fall," said Nichols, 14, who will be a freshman at Norman North High School in August.
Nichols and 14 other students from USA Stars Gym in Moore will travel to San Jose, Calif., July 8-9 to compete in judo, a Japanese martial art form, at the national Junior Olympics.
Nichols hopes his second trip to the nationals produces a medal.
"My goal is to fight the hardest I can," he said.
Patrick Burris, the owner of USA Stars Gym, said judo is a physically demanding sport that teaches discipline.
"Our young kids train extremely hard to become champions," Burris said.
He said students ages 5 to 19 can compete in the national Junior Olympics if they have placed in a state competition.
Kayla Chappel, 13, of Moore will attend the Junior Olympics as the team captain. She is a two-time national judo champion and earned a gold medal at the Junior Olympics last year in Atlanta.
"Judo has taught me to believe in myself and how much I can accomplish," she said.
Students attending the competition are: Brennen Duclos, 5, Colby Duclos, 9, Taylor Duclos, 11, Chad Chappel, 11, and Kayla Chappel, 13, all of Moore; Jacob Anthony, 6, and Tyler Anthony, 9, of Oklahoma City; Arthur Aguirre, 8, Adam Aguirre, 13, and Aubrey Aguirre, 15, Jaclyn Beed, 9, and Jessica Beed, 12, Josh Kennedy, 14, Lance Nichols, 14, and Sterling Wright, 14, all of Norman. Kristi Springer of Moore is their coach.
Burris said the team still is raising money to travel to the Junior Olympics.
Anyone interested in making a donation can call 799-1222 or mail a check to USA Stars, 301 S Broadway, Moore OK, 73160.
