Near-blind teen trains for judo competition
WATCHING Jordan Mouton, a 16-year-old junior at Cypress Falls High School in Houston, perform judo recently at Cahill's Judo Academy in San Bruno, you would never know that she is severely visually-impaired. She was training to compete from June 28 to July 4 in the World Championship for Judo in Grommet, France.
At age 8, Mouton was found to have Rod/Cone Dystrophy, a name given to a wide range of eye conditions, but was able to continue playing soccer until she was 12. "When I was forced to give up soccer, a sport I truly loved and was very good at, I was really devastated," she said. "One day, I'll be totally blind."
In July, Mouton attended a United States Association of Blind Athletes sports camp in Colorado Springs, where she met Willy Cahill, owner of Cahill's Judo Academy. Cahill, a member of the Black Belt Hall of Fame as Judo Instructor of the Year 1975, has served as coach to Stanford University, the U.S. team for Pan American Games, the World Championships and the Olympics.
Cahill recognized Mouton's athletic ability and encouraged her to start judo in Houston. She then came to San Bruno on March 6-10 to learn from the master himself. She was accompanied by her mother, Suzanna, while her father, David, and brother, Hunter, rooted for her back home.
"I like the energy of judo," said Mouton. "I've always liked being active. It gets your adrenaline going. I'm a yellow belt in the 52-kilo weight class, but I'm working towards a green belt."
"She's always had a competitive spirit," added her mom. "She also participates in wrestling at her high school, as did her brother before he began college."
An amazing teenager, Jordan was recognized as such last year on Oprah's "Make Your Wildest Dream Come True" show and had her wildest dream fulfilled by meeting actor Ashton Kutcher.
To learn more about Jordan, visit: http://www.judoolympics.com/.
To reach her judo goals, Jordan needs help funding her travel to training and competitions. To sponsor her or to give a donation, make check payable to Blind Judo Foundation and mail to same at: Wells Fargo, Acct. No. 100-3854484, Crossroads Branch, 19704 No. Freeway, Houston, TX 77065.
WATCHING Jordan Mouton, a 16-year-old junior at Cypress Falls High School in Houston, perform judo recently at Cahill's Judo Academy in San Bruno, you would never know that she is severely visually-impaired. She was training to compete from June 28 to July 4 in the World Championship for Judo in Grommet, France.
At age 8, Mouton was found to have Rod/Cone Dystrophy, a name given to a wide range of eye conditions, but was able to continue playing soccer until she was 12. "When I was forced to give up soccer, a sport I truly loved and was very good at, I was really devastated," she said. "One day, I'll be totally blind."
In July, Mouton attended a United States Association of Blind Athletes sports camp in Colorado Springs, where she met Willy Cahill, owner of Cahill's Judo Academy. Cahill, a member of the Black Belt Hall of Fame as Judo Instructor of the Year 1975, has served as coach to Stanford University, the U.S. team for Pan American Games, the World Championships and the Olympics.
Cahill recognized Mouton's athletic ability and encouraged her to start judo in Houston. She then came to San Bruno on March 6-10 to learn from the master himself. She was accompanied by her mother, Suzanna, while her father, David, and brother, Hunter, rooted for her back home.
"I like the energy of judo," said Mouton. "I've always liked being active. It gets your adrenaline going. I'm a yellow belt in the 52-kilo weight class, but I'm working towards a green belt."
"She's always had a competitive spirit," added her mom. "She also participates in wrestling at her high school, as did her brother before he began college."
An amazing teenager, Jordan was recognized as such last year on Oprah's "Make Your Wildest Dream Come True" show and had her wildest dream fulfilled by meeting actor Ashton Kutcher.
To learn more about Jordan, visit: http://www.judoolympics.com/.
To reach her judo goals, Jordan needs help funding her travel to training and competitions. To sponsor her or to give a donation, make check payable to Blind Judo Foundation and mail to same at: Wells Fargo, Acct. No. 100-3854484, Crossroads Branch, 19704 No. Freeway, Houston, TX 77065.
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