In January of 2006, Jourdyn and her mother, Angelika signed up for the beginning session of Taekwondo classes with Willow Martial Arts.
Not turning 6 until February, Jourdyn, was nonetheless very attentive and eager to perfect all of the techniques she learned. When the Kid’s classes were formed in April of that same year, Jourdyn joined the first session. However, it was soon quite evident that she was not totally challenged by the activities in the one hour class. So she did the 1-hour kid’s class for fun and stayed for the 2-hour advanced class which followed. All this at the young age of only 6 years old.
Being a perfectionist, Jourdyn would sometimes get uncontrollably tearful and frustrated at not being able to perform a technique at what she felt was 100%. And she was a bit on the shy side about performing in front of an audience. So the inevitable occurred when she stepped up to do her form at the Ozark tournament held April 8, 2006. With only 3 months of training, this frightened 6-year old stepped up to perform and couldn’t keep the tears from welling up and spilling over. She didn’t want to go on. The center official soothingly calmed her and finally got her to step back and begin the form. Crying through the entire performance, she nonetheless, successfully completed her first competition form placing 2nd out of 2 competitors.
On Thursday July 3, 2008 a mere 2 years later, Jourdyn stepped up once again to do her form. But this time it was not a local tournament. This time is was the AAU Taekwondo National Championships held in Madison, WI. And there were not 2, but 11 competitors in her division. And this time there were no tears. Although still frightened, she performed like the champion she proved to be, taking 4th place. How far Jourdyn has come in 2 short years! And for the first time in many years Willow Martial Arts not only once again had a National competitor, but a National Champion.
Congratulations! May this just be the start of many more National Championships and hopefully a National Gold Medal.