Alec Garland brings Junior Olympic gold, bronze home to Buffalo Grove

Alec Garland, a Buffalo Grove 5-year-old, earned gold and bronze medals at the Junior Olympics, which was recently held in Dallas, Texas.

Garland earned the right to compete in the Junior Olympics earlier this year when he placed in a top spot at the USA Taekwondo Illinois State Championship. USA Taekwondo is recognized by the United States Olympic Committee as the national governing body for the sport of Tae Kwon Do in the United States.

Garland is a student of Head Master Shik Lee of the White Tiger Martial Arts Center, in Wheeling, and was amongst a small group to medal by earning gold in sparing and bronze in board breaking for his age group.

Almost 3,200 competitors from across the country gathered at the Dallas Convention Center for this six day event to compete in various disciplines, including sparring, forms, board breaking and weapons.

“Thousands of kids competed and Alec was amongst the few that actually took home a medal,” stated Lee. “I am so proud of the effort and dedication Alec demonstrated. It is this type of perseverance that acts as pure motivation for me as a martial arts instructor.”