A 20-year-old Winnipegger's dream is coming true, she is going to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Skylar Park has been on Team Canada for Taekwondo since 2013. She is making a name for herself on the world stage. 

"My goals since I've been little is to win a gold medal for Canada in the Olympic games.

"I started training as soon as I could walk," Park says. The sport is a family affair, her father is her coach, her grandfather is a master at the sport, and many of her family members participate.

Park is currently in the senior division ages 18+ in the -67 kilogram division. The top six athletes in the world pre-qualify for the Tokyo games. Based on the results of a tournament in Moscow last month, Park is now ranked fifth.

"It's just a matter of who will win in Tokyo."

"I kinda found out in the middle of the competition so I focused on celebrating after my match," Park says.

One of her opponents who based on ranking could have taken that spot away from her, lost a match, and from then on, Park was set.

The 20-year-old seems unphased by the competition. She is going into the games with a clear mind and a clear focus. "I've fought all the top girls so far, it's just a matter of who will win in Tokyo," Park says.

"There are a lot of sacrifices that you have to make, but I love what I'm doing and I always want to be there."

Even though Park has missed many typical teen milestones like her high school graduation, she has no regrets.

She says, "there are a lot of sacrifices that you have to make, but I love what I'm doing and I always want to be there."

To those that hope to follow in her footsteps, she wants to be an encouragement. "Keep working hard and if you do that you can achieve anything! 

"I'm super excited it's my first games and hopefully not the last," Park says. 

 

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2019!! One of the best ones yet, another year of blessings! Lots of lessons learnt, tears, love and moments of pure joy! This year I’m especially thankful for all the people in my life, thank you to those who believed in me when I needed you the most! There’s a fire burning inside me heading into 2020 and I couldn’t be more excited!! 🔥❤️ #nye

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