Sultan middle school student seeks national championship title in taekwondo

Zayden Zimmerman, a 14-year-old from Monroe, is set to compete as the No. 1 seed in the Moo Do taekwondo national championships on October 16 in Sacramento. She has accumulated 35 first-place medals in competitions and recently earned her first-degree black belt. With a solid performance, Zayden aims to qualify for the 2026 AAU Junior Olympics in Des Moines. In addition to taekwondo, she has excelled in jiu-jitsu, winning all four competitions she has entered since starting the sport last year.

Her father, Dominick, highlights the challenges of balancing Zayden's training schedule, which includes both taekwondo and jiu-jitsu practices. Despite her busy life, Zayden finds time for school sports and recreational activities. She appreciates her parents' support in managing her hectic schedule, allowing her to focus on sports while keeping up with her studies. Zayden's dedication to martial arts has opened doors for training opportunities abroad, including an invitation to South Korea next summer.