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Earning her first black belt at the age of 7 and cur- rently holding a second degree black belt whene she trains close to six days a week at Myung’s 'l‘aekwondo Academy in Stouffville, Lor attributed her success on the mat to several factors. “They believed in me and pushed me to where I am toda ." said but. a French immersion student at Glad Public School. “My masters are the ones who put inc on the podium to where he won six who put me on the um 10 where I've won six pmvindalgoldm .four natioml gold modalsand That all changed after her parents enrolled her just two months after celebrating her fifth birthday in tae- kwondo classes. Since then. but has gained a measure of respect in her everyday life. At the same time though. she's utilized her martial arts sldlls to maltea name for herself on the competi- tive mat. During the recent Canadian Taekwondo Champi- onships in Ibronto. [or won a pair of gold medals in sparring and'team poomsae along with one silver. in doing so. she qualified to represent Canada at the inaugural World Cadet Championships in Baku. Azerbaijan this month. WhileinBaku.shewastocompeteinthesparring competition in the 12-14 years old bantam division. w-azwommwiwtdm smup. Fuelling Lot in her latest feat was a silver medal she earned in poomsaelpattems while making her debut at the Junior Pan Am Games in Mexico last Septemberl While training at Myung’s: Lot was quick to credit her instructors in Master Edward Pong and Master long Seal; Ha. Brianna-Lauren box recalled being bullied while in playgrounds. . These days the 12-year-old Stoufl’ville resident is not 9 target of such threats. Alter winning the gold in team poomsae. [or will also [represent Canada at the ninth WTF World The- kwondo Poomsae Championships in Aguascalientes. Mexico from Oct. 30 to Nov. 2. “l’m really excited and honoured to be the only athlete to qualify to represent Canada in both events.” [or said. “I’m looking forward to this opportunity and hope to learn and improve further from this experi- Foremost was her parents. who signed her up to take 99 the menial ans discipline. Represents Canada at pair of international events SPORTS Bullies leave tae-kwondo champ alone BY MICHAEL HAYAKAWA mhayakawaermgxom one silver at the Pan Am Games. To compete for Canada at the two upcom- ing events does have some drawbacks for bor. Citing both events are self funded, bar was quick to note athletes do not receive any financial assistance from Sport Canada. “The cost for me to compete and travel to Azerbaijan for sparring is approximately $5,000.” she cited. “And it will cost mother $2,500 for the poomsael patterns champion- ship in Mexico.” 1 Setting her sights on reaching the podium at the two upcoming events. [or Said regard- less of what transpires. she feels the experi- ences gained from competing at both events will be a continuing education in her martial arts discipline. “1 will continue to train hard and hope to have the opportunity to represent Canada again.” she said. “My masters have taught me to believe in Dreambig a_nd never give up. Any- ghing is possible is long as we'try oilr veEy [or is trying to raise fuan so she can rep- resent Canada. Lauren Lor of Stouffville will compete at the Tackwondo Championships 21