Community Corner
Bridgewater Girl Wins Bronze in Martial Arts Championship
The American Taekwondo Association held its 2011 World Championships in Little Rock, Arkansas.
With years of practice under her black belt, 8-year-old Jessica Szpila, of Bridgewater, showed perfect form as a bronze medalist at the American Taekwondo Association’s World Championship Tournament held at the Little Rock Statehouse Convention Center from June 20 through June 26.
As a first degree black belt, Szpila was one of the top ten finalists competing on June 25.
More than 20,000 people from all over the world traveled to Little Rock for the city’s largest annual convention. Throughout the week, several specialty training seminars, high-rank black belt testing and the World Championship competition were held.
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Szpila was one of 5,000 competitors from across the globe to put her skills and hard work to the test.
Her experience practicing taekwondo from the age of 3, and the extensive training throughout the past year, paid off when Szpila won third place in sparring at this year’s tournament.
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“Jessica was so excited to win top honors,” said her mother, Louise Szpila. “She’s been working very hard, especially this past year."
Like a jetsetter, Jessica Szpila's trip to Little Rock was one of many she's made along her competitive pursuits. During the year leading up to the championship, she traveled across the country to compete in local competitions.
"Jessica has always had a competitive spirit," Louise Szpila said. "She's very athletic."
Along with martial arts, Jessica Szpila is involved in gymnastics and softball, adding to her roster of athletic skills.
As a source of inspiration, [and a form of flattery on his part], Szpila followed in her older brother, Joseph’s, footsteps by starting with taekwondo at the age of 3, Louise Szpila said. Sharing in top honors, Joseph Szpila placed third in combat weapons in a different competition, which started the new tournament year.
Jessica Szpila trains at the Princeton Martial Arts Center, and looks forward to continuing with martial arts, Louise Szpila said.
"Taekwondo is a great activity," she said. "It's builds self-confidence and discipline."
