At first, Ali Sorensen might seem like an average 13-year-old but she has earned one of the most distinct achievements that sets her apart from her peers. She has been an avid student of martial arts for almost 7 years and has recently earned her black belt in karate. At only 13, she is the youngest girl to earn a black belt with this program.
Practicing off and on for about 3 hours per day, Sorensen never thought martial arts would be a passion for her. In fact, she started to lose interest after a while, but mom and dad encouraged her to stick with it. She attributes a lot of her success to the incredible family support she has, including her 16-year-old sister Kayli. “My sister is my role model because she has been through a lot,” shared Sorensen, “and she always respects me no matter what happens. She is my best friend. She always encourages and supports me.” She also commented that her mom and dad have inspired her to work hard, keep a good attitude, and not give up when things get tough.
She shared that her coaches have played a huge role in boosting her confidence and pushing her to continue reaching for big goals. It takes a lot of training to earn a black belt and Sorensen made the commitment to work hard and reach her goals. Despite being nervous and unsure of herself in front of a crowd, Sorensen overcame her fears. She plans to continue practicing in martial arts and mentor younger kids who are working toward their goals in martial arts.
