JERSEY VILLAGE, Texas — When you step on the mat you toe the line of power and precision. In Jersey Village at No Limits Martial Arts, strength and athleticism is on full display.
"It really is just about believing in yourself," said coach and owner Dara Gilliland, who herself has decades of experience in martial arts.
Gilliland is getting ready to send five of her Taekwondo students, ranging in ages from eight to 38, to the U.S. National Championships in Fort Worth.
"I picture thousands of people all around me screaming my name," says 9-year-old Dani Saldivar.
Saldivar, like her fellow Houston-area qualifiers, practices her craft for hours nearly every day.
"It's just about being able to see students reach that highest potential for themselves," said Gilliland.
The competition is set to take place July 4-July 7. 15-year-old Lathan Holub is headed to his first nationals.
"I'm excited. I'm confident. I'm ready," Holub said.
16-year-old Haiden Serrano knows what it's like to compete, but said the lights definitely get brighter on such a big stage.
"Inside the ring, everything goes blank. I'm focused on just my coaches and myself and my opponent."
The technique is crucial. 8-year-old Ryan Hart is the youngest of the qualifying group. He talked about some of the moves he's learned.
"When I practice my kicks, I'll get stronger and stronger," he says.
The students said they took up the sport for a number of different reasons, but the oldest of the qualifying competitors, 38-year-old Eva Gouel, might have been the best one.
"I discovered Taekwondo when my own kids started to do Taekwondo," she said.
Her 6-year-old daughter, especially, said Gouel loves that Eva has taken up the sport and looks up to her mom.
"It's never too late to start something. I think it gives her the feeling that she can do whatever she wants," Gouel said.
As this group makes their final preparations in an Olympic year, Saldivar is looking ahead to her own future and dreaming big about where the sport she loves might take her someday.
"I believe I can make it to the Olympics, and I believe I can win gold," said Saldivar.