A 12-year-old Arlington Heights girl who recently earned the chance to compete in the Taekwondo World Championships in Korea has teamed with a Chicago beautician to help make her dream possible.
Zara Uvakova has been a taekwondo student since the age of 6 and has won five Illinois state titles and four national championships. She could not go higher than the US Nationals until she turned 12, but won a spot in July on the US National Team for Cadets (ages 12-14) in this week’s World Championships in Muju, South Korea.
Zara had to raise the funds to go because USA Taekwondo has no travel funds. She found an ally in Chicago hairdresser Nevena Rothe, who works at Custom Hair Lounge, 2107 N.Cleveland Ave., Chicago, where both Zara and her mother, Danka, get their hair done.
Like the Uvakovas, Rothe is a immigrant from Bulgaria. She said she was inspired by Zara’s commitment and excitement and wanted to do what she could to help her get to Korea to compete.
“As a young immigrant and entrepreneur, she reminded me of myself and my own journey. I played professional sports [tennis and basketball] when I was young and always knew how important it is to have mental support. I know that her brave heart and soul will take her places and I was very impressed by her persistence from a very young age,” Rothe said.
“With such a large community of friends, clients and people who are always eager to help, I was just the igniter for such idea,” she said of efforts that so far have raised $5,000. With a goal of $8,000, Rothe hoped to raise more at last weekend’s salon anniverary party..
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Zara practices two to three hours a day, six days a week, both in the summer and during the school year. She said she’s very excited to go to Korea and hopes to win a medal.
“A lot will depend on the draw you get. Also, there are a lot of matches per day, so you have to stay focused and rest when you can,” said Zara, adding that she loves taekwondo because it’s an individual sport and because “it’s not a girly sport.”
Her coach, Krasimir Rusev from Revolution Taekwondo in Arlington Heights, said her commitment has been consistent throughout her six years with him.
“She has a lot of discipline and although she’s one of the smallest students in her age group, she’s smart and quick,” Rusev said.
One of her biggest challenges will be staying on task during the long days of the competition, he said..
“At nationals, we had early matches and then more matches all the way to 3 a.m. That’s a lot to ask of a 12 year old, but she’s great.”
Chiarito is a freelance reporter.