Cypress special needs athletes heading to nationals

CYPRESS, TX (KTRK) -- Justin Parker is about to take the trip of his young life. He and 19 other special needs students, affectionately called "Samurais", are heading to the AAU National Tae Kwon Do Meet in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.

"It's going be a lot of fun," says Parker, a green and black belt student at All-Star Martial Arts in Cypress on Telge Road. "I'm excited."

All-Star provides the classes for the Samurais, and a non-profit called Inspiring Possibilities, helps fund the cost. The non-profit is also helping pay for some of the expenses of traveling to the national competition. It is the first time the AAU has allowed special needs competitors.

"This year they're actually allowing them to compete," says Rachel Martin of All-Star, "so it's very exciting for them, the parents, and everyone that has put effort into this."

The students will also have the help of two of their instructors, Abraham and Alejandra Vega. They are brother and sister, ages 17 and 15 respectively, and are third degree black belts. This will their first trip to nationals as well, and they're excited for the opportunity to showcase their hard working students.

Abraham tells Eyewitness News, "People usually set limits for them and so being able to go up and pass those limits and show them that they can do something more. It's rewarding." His sister adds, "It's helping them strive for something that most people wouldn't expect them to be able to do."

Justin finds himself excited about competing, but also about the road trip east. "We're gonna take a boat in Louisiana," he smiles as he explains, "and we're gonna go see alligators."