A Golden Acheivement

Natella Parsadanyan now stands poised for potential glory under the five rings of the most prestigious youth sporting stage in the world. With her gold medal victory at the 2013 USA Taekwondo Illinois State Championship recently held in Ottawa, Ill., the 11-year-old now qualifies to compete in the Junior Olympics being held in Chicago, July 3-9.

U.S. Taekwondo Association (USAT), recognized as the governing body for the sport of Tae Kwon Do in the United States by the United States Olympic Committee, hosted the state level competition. Parsadanyan was amongst an estimated 1000 athletes who traveled from around the Midwest to complete. Parsadanyan's 1st place win for Poomsae (known as Form) at this state-level USAT competition is what now qualifies her for the Junior Olympics.

A Red belt, Parsadanyan studies martial arts at the White Tiger Martial Arts Center (WTMAC) in Wheeling coached by Head Master Shik Lee. “The look in Natella's eyes just before she competes is memorizing,” Lee commented. “She is so focused and determined you just know she is going to do well. I wish I could say I was surprised,” Lee stated with a sense of knowledge about her demeanor, “for someone her age to have that level of concentration I just knew she had what it took to walk away with gold.” Walking away with gold is exactly what Parsadanyan did and her family and friends in Deerfield couldn't be more proud of her achievements.