Connecting Santa Cruz County
Get Your Daily Dose of ECHO News
Five Fighters, Two Medals, One Heart
CHARLOTTE, North Carolina — The lights were bright, the mats were large, and the top competitors from across the country were present. When five young athletes from Santa Cruz County entered the 2026 U.S. National Taekwondo Championships from July 1-5, they were not just competing; they were representing.
They represented their schools, families, and the International Taekwondo Academy, where they train with Master Rodrigo Valenzuela. The National Championships are the biggest event for USA Taekwondo, where state champions compete to become national contenders, and national champions join America’s elite. This year, thousands of athletes gathered in Charlotte to compete for a spot on the podium. Five came from Santa Cruz County.
Alex Cardenas, 11, from Wade Carpenter Middle School, was the youngest competitor. He was focused and fearless in his first national competition. Diego Romero, 9, from Mexicayotl Academy, the team's youngest member, showed impressive composure for his age on the big stage. Mario Parra, 11, from Continental Middle School, fought with calm and power to win the GOLD and become the 2026 National Champion. Gabriel Zamorano, 12, from Desert Shadows, had a determined performance, earning a BRONZE medal. Alejandro Tello, 11, from Sacred Heart Catholic School Middle School, displayed precision and heart, also winning BRONZE.
Two national medals and five athletes who never gave up. For Master Rodrigo Valenzuela, these results mean more than just medals. His academy teaches discipline, respect, humility, and the mental toughness needed to compete far from home for your community.
"To take five kids from our county to Nationals and return with a national champion and two bronze medalists, that is huge," said Master Rodrigo Valenzuela. "These kids train after school and on weekends. They sacrifice. They did it."
For Mario Parra, the champion, the gold reflects years of early mornings and late practices. For Gabriel Zamorano and Alejandro Tello, their bronze medals show they belong among the best in the U.S. For Alex Cardenas and Diego Romero, competing at just 9 and 11 years old is just the start of their journey.
They returned from Charlotte with medals but left behind something even bigger: an impression. They showed that small towns in southern Arizona can produce champions. From Patagonia, Rio Rico, and Nogales, Santa Cruz County fights with dignity. Last week in Charlotte, these five kids demonstrated that to the rest of the country.
Congratulations to our 2026 National Team: Mario Parra - National Champion and Gold Medalist; Gabriel Zamorano - Bronze Medalist; Alejandro Tello - Bronze Medalist; Alex Cardenas and Diego Romero - National Competitors. The International Taekwondo Academy is home. The podium in Charlotte was just a stop along the way.
Subscribe to our newsletter
Sign up for our newsletter to receive the latest echoes and updates straight to your inbox.
Border Eco Moments
Join Our Eco Community!
Follow us on Facebook, YouTube & Instagram for the latest community echoes!
Check out our latest issue! A Community United For Student Success, Jump Back to School 2026, Patagonia Celebrates Freedom, Service, and Community on the Fourth of July, Celebrating Santa Cruz County’s Outstanding Educators, Five Fighters, Two Medals, One Heart, Rio Rico Insights- 17 Years of Supporting SCV35 Students, NPD Monthly Roll-Community Commitment, Let’s Talk Health- Inspiring Tomorrow’s Health Leaders, Back-to-School-Sheriff’s Office, Sheriff’s August Round-Up