She’s the current Pac Rim World Champion in the 17 and under division and she’s swept almost every tournament she entered in 2007 including open kata, traditional kata, weapons and sparring. What’s even cooler is the six foot trophy and the two annual passes to Disneyland she won. She’s Courtney Leal, a thirteen year from the OC who’s been practicing martial arts since she was six years old.
Some call it a sport — others, an art. But it is more than that. It’s a way of life, a way of being — a way of existing. And it turns out, it’s a great activity for girls. Since martial arts emphasize technique over power, the playing field is more level when compared to other sports.
A Pretty Tough Team member, Courtney trains six days a week with three different instructors and she partipated in 43 tournaments last year. She started at martial art international sensei Rick Manos in Anaheim, when she was about 11 she added training at pearl of wisdom kenpo karate with professor Willy Aguilar in Cypress and for her weapons training she is with sensei Richard Rabago.
What’s she up to right now? Just looking forward to a little break before defending her world title….She’s tough. She’s pretty tough. She really is.
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