Sisters Ava and Jessica Lee taking Taekwondo world by storm

MAPLE GROVE, Minn. — “The very first thing you usually study is Chah Ryut, which is mainly palms at your sides standing up straight,” stated Ava Lee, a junior at Maple Grove, clarify the fundamentals of Taekwondo. “That is what you may do earlier than a match. After which Kyung Nae, which is ‘bow.’ You bow down to point out respect to your opponent.”

Taekwondo may not be Minnesota’s hottest sport. However the World Taekwondo Academy dojang in Maple Grove is the house to a number of the nation’s high up-and-coming expertise.

“Successful a senior occasion at 16 it is loopy. I imply, it isn’t widespread so I used to be very pleased with my outcomes,” stated Lee.

Ava Lee not too long ago moved as much as struggle elite competitors. Her youthful sister Jessica rose from cadet to junior stage in that very same match. Each took gold.

“It makes me a proud father for them to attain the issues they’ve,” stated Grandmaster Eui Yong Lee. “However it’s traumatic.”

Their father, Grandmaster Lee, is aware of the stress nicely. He has coached the U.S. Olympic Taekwondo staff, and now does the identical for Haiti, who the sisters at the moment signify. From a younger age, hours upon hours, spent on the mat.

“It was nice to be right here 24/7 coaching at all times, with my teammates and stuff,” stated Jessica Lee.

“Typically it was exhausting,” stated Ava Lee. “I would wanna come dwelling and play. However now I am grateful that I stored doing it.”

Now it is paying off. The Pan Am Championships are developing, with Worlds across the nook. Which means loads of journey.

“It is type of like a rock star way of life. We’re at all times touring. We’re at all times coaching,” stated Eui Yong Lee.

It is also loads of time collectively along with your sister.

“Certain we bicker,” stated Ava Lee. “However I am grateful to at all times have a coaching accomplice and he or she’s my finest pal so.”

The sisters have Olympic aspirations.

“Yeah that may be fairly cool to be in the identical Olympics as her,” stated Jessica Lee. “However I am nonetheless very younger.”

A globetrotting life, targeted on one particular ability.

“I am so grateful that is my life,” stated Ava Lee. “I would not wish to change any of it.”