Taekwondo Black Belt Awaits Second Shot

When the AAU Taekwondo National Championships take place next summer in Fort Lauderdale, James Parmelee hopes to attend.

The 17-year-old Brooksville resident earned his invitation to this year's national competition, taking second place April 26 in the Florida qualifier in Orlando.

But because the National Championships took place in Madison, Ga., Parmelee opted not to travel and take part in the prestigious event.

Nevertheless, just qualifying ranked as a major achievement for the product of the Hernando County Recreation Department's program.

Learning discipline

Parmelee is beginning his senior year at Hernando High and lives with his mother, Laurel Parmelee. He ranks as a third degree black belt, taking classes Friday nights at Kennedy Park.

Taekwondo became part of his life 10 years ago, when a friend - Rob Tucker - convinced the then second grader to take in a class.

"When I went over to see how it was, I started to get into it," Parmelee said. "It taught me a bunch of stuff. It helped me at the time with my anger. I started wanting to do it more and more. It's been enjoyment for me basically."

Parmelee admits he had anger issues as a child, lashing out "physically and with words as well. Being in taekwondo helped me with discipline."

He said the sport has also helped him in school, as advancement in belts depends on grades, and provided him a means of self-defense.

"I have a better life in a way," Parmelee said.

Over the years, Parmelee estimated that he had won several lesser competitions, but none of those performances matched the silver medal he earned at the state qualifier.

Under a new teacher, Master Simeon "Sam" Kinard, Parmelee looks to improve upon that showing. Since he turns 18 in September, he must compete as an adult next year.

The National Championships take place June 29-July 4, 2009 in Fort Lauderdale. Parmelee indicated that he planned to take advantage of the closer location if he qualifies.

"Basically I need to work on speed and outsmarting my opponent," Parmelee said. "For me, getting that (qualifying) again would be a big accomplishment, especially if I get gold.

"But in a way I'm nervous more because I'd be qualifying as an adult. For me it's like a whole new level. I have to bring my game up a whole bunch more."

Parmelee previously competed in the 14-17-year-old division. The next division up goes from 18 all the way to 34-years-old.

AAU has two even older divisions, from 35-44 and 44-99. So graduating from high school won't necessarily mean the end of Parmelee's competing days.

"I'm going to go to college," Parmelee said. "I mostly want to keep on going to (taekwondo) class. I might try to be a teacher later on. If that doesn't work out, I might be working in business."

Parmelee hopes to attend Florida Southern College. As he said, he doesn't have any plans to quit taekwondo.