Stephen Leon, 3rd Degree Black Belt and resident of Hahira, recently won the title of World Champion for his victory in the American Taekwondo Association sparring competition. The ATA World Championships are held in Little Rock, Ark. Competitors travel around the world in an attempt to win this prestigious title.

Stephen Leon has been training in Taekwondo for over 11 years. This is his fourth title as World Champion. He has had previous victories in Sparring and Forms. He is a student at Lowndes County High School and is the son of Dede and David Leon of Hahira. Leon has two sisters, Mary Beth and Christina, who are also World Champions.

“I’m very proud of his accomplishments and the adversities he has had to overcome", said Mitchell Church, owner of Performance Martial Arts Academy where Stephen trains. Stephen’s mom said, “Through Mr. Church’s instruction and Stephen’s accomplishments, his father and I have seen a build up in his self esteem and an improvement in his grades.”