Jesse Yi brings dual Junior Olympic silver medals home to Northbrook

Jesse Yi, a Northbrook 11-year-old, earned dual silver medals at the Junior Olympics, which was recently held in Dallas, Texas.

Yi 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.

Yi is a student of Head Master Shik Lee of the White Tiger Martial Arts Center, in Wheeling, IL, and was amongst a small group to medal by earning silver medals in board breaking and poomsae 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.

“Bring home two silver medals to Northbrook is an amazing achievement for Jesse,” stated Lee. “I was overwhelmed with pride watching as they placed the award around Jesse's neck. I saw firsthand as Jesse spent hour after hour training for this event; then, being rewarded for his dedication is something every teacher takes pleasure in seeing.”