This 13-Year-Old Has Some Sweet Moves

When he talks about Tae Kwon Do, a sport he's dedicated nearly 10 years of his life to, Ryan Tucker sounds more like a seasoned fighter than a teenager with a dream.

Already a world-traveler and competitor at age 13, Tucker, a student at Rolling Hills Country Day School, spent time in Korea as part of the Philippines national team and has multiple awards to his name. 

Tucker, of Torrance, talked about his journey since picking up Tae Kwon Do at the age of 4 with a sense of self even some in their 20s don't have. He knows where he's headed (the U.S. National Team), what it takes to get there (hard work) and has a deep appreciation for what the sport teaches.

"It's a foundation for how I life my life," he said. "It's given me respect ... self-discipline, confidence, modesty."

Tucker said the sport has been "life-changing."

"It's been great for me," he said.

On Tuesday morning, Tucker participated in a Tae Kwon Do demonstration at his future school, Vistamar School in El Segundo. A major pull to Vistamar for Tucker was the flexibility he'll get in classes if he travels for his sport, which has already taken him to competitions in the Philippines and Korea.

He's been competing since age 6, his mother, Sharon Liebl said. An early overachiever, Tucker once tried to master basketball in addition to Tae Kwon Do, insisting he could do both, Liebl said. But he had to choose one.

"It's his number one sport," she said of her son's choice.

Training three or more hours five to six days per week, Tucker doesn't have an easy schedule. But the travel, competition and long hours don't seem hurt him, instead he's been even more inspired, Liebl said.

"I think when you expect the least, you do the best," she said. "He's been a changed person."

When asked what might give him an edge on other competitors, Tucker passed up an opportunity to brag about himself. Instead, he insisted it's not about what he has that others don't.

"It's not really what they don’t have," he said. "To me, the major thing is hard work. Hard work pays off no matter what."

And he is working hard. Tucker just qualified to participate in the U.S. National Team trials and is busy training.

"It doesn’t matter how good you are," he said, reflecting on a coach's words of advice. "You could be the best in the world, but if you don’t give 110 percent you're not going to get there."

He's probably well on his way.