If you’re walking down North Main Street in Saint Albans, you might not realize that there’s a martial arts gym located downtown. Located in the heart of downtown, Adam Shedrick has quietly been training one of the most talented Taekwondo competitors in Vermont.”I’m super proud of this group,” said Shedrick. Not only does he own the gym, but he’s the head trainer that helped send a group to the AAU Taekwondo National Championships for the first time in over a decade.This year’s tournament takes place in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, from July 2-8. Shedrick travels to the Sunshine State with seven students, ranging from the ages of 6 to 16.”A key to competing is being focused and dedicated,” said Shedrick. His group of students trains multiple hours per day, up to four times per week.Ten-year-old Parker Jervais is one of the students that qualified during a regional event in Troy, New York, for this year’s national championships. Despite his young age, he already has six years of experience training in the sport.”It kind of helps me with the challenges of life,” said Jervais. He currently holds status as a black belt and relishes the opportunity to compete amongst over 3,500 other athletes from across the country. The opportunity wouldn’t have been made possible without the hard work of the students, coaches and parents. Not only did Shedrick’s bunch have to qualify, but they also had to fundraise for the event. Competing in the event costs over $300 per participant, and even more when considering travel costs.In the end, though, it’s all worth it so Jervais and the rest of the gym can test their skills against the best athletes in the country.”It’s kind of fun to learn how to kick and punch,” said Jervais.
If you’re walking down North Main Street in Saint Albans, you might not realize that there’s a martial arts gym located downtown. Located in the heart of downtown, Adam Shedrick has quietly been training one of the most talented Taekwondo competitors in Vermont.
“I’m super proud of this group,” said Shedrick. Not only does he own the gym, but he’s the head trainer that helped send a group to the AAU Taekwondo National Championships for the first time in over a decade.
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This year’s tournament takes place in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, from July 2-8. Shedrick travels to the Sunshine State with seven students, ranging from the ages of 6 to 16.
“A key to competing is being focused and dedicated,” said Shedrick. His group of students trains multiple hours per day, up to four times per week.
Ten-year-old Parker Jervais is one of the students that qualified during a regional event in Troy, New York, for this year’s national championships. Despite his young age, he already has six years of experience training in the sport.
“It kind of helps me with the challenges of life,” said Jervais. He currently holds status as a black belt and relishes the opportunity to compete amongst over 3,500 other athletes from across the country.
The opportunity wouldn’t have been made possible without the hard work of the students, coaches and parents. Not only did Shedrick’s bunch have to qualify, but they also had to fundraise for the event. Competing in the event costs over $300 per participant, and even more when considering travel costs.
In the end, though, it’s all worth it so Jervais and the rest of the gym can test their skills against the best athletes in the country.
“It’s kind of fun to learn how to kick and punch,” said Jervais.
