FALLSBURG — When Isaiah Young isn’t on the football field or the basketball court for the Fallsburg Comets, the senior is on the mat fighting in Taekwondo. He has competed in Taekwondo since he was three years old. Young recently came back from Brazil, where he competed in the President’s Cup and earned the bronze medal. On his way to the bronze, he defeated Chile Olympian Armin Erman, in straight rounds. 

Young is now looking ahead to 2024, where he has his eyes on competing in Taekwondo at the 2024 Olympics in Paris, France. His father, Will, who also competed in Taekwondo and coaches his son in football, said they were originally focusing on making the 2028 U.S. National Team. But Will said that he was streamlined because of his mass success, as he has just one U.S. player ranked ahead of him. Young is currently ranked as the 62nd player in the world in his weight class. 

With everything that Young is involved with, he is juggling a lot and has to keep to a good schedule. 

“I sit down with my dad about what the plan is each day,” Young said. “Between daily stretches, going to school and football and basketball practices, I have to stick to my schedule.”

Fallsburg has also been accommodating for the schedule that Young has, which includes travel to the various matches across the country. He is funded to travel because of the talents that he has. The school district also makes sure he doesn’t get behind on his classwork. In order to even be considered for the Olympics, he has to maintain his honor roll status. 

“He has really been sacrificing a lot,” Will said. “He is a three-year starter for football and basketball. His coaches and teachers have a lot of respect for him.” 

“We definitely want to highlight students and athletes who go above and beyond,” said Fallsburg Athletic Director Amanda Stevens. “I had Isaiah for 7th and 8th grade as a teacher and he is a straight A student who has made the honor roll every year.”

The U.S. National Taekwondo 

Team Trials will take place January 5-7 in Charlotte, North Carolina. This will be where Young will compete against fellow Olympian-hopeful Americans for a spot on the National Team. He was a U.S. Junior National Team member from 15 to 17-years old. 

This year, at the Dominican Republic Pan-Am Games, Young earned Gold and was the Player of the Tournament. He also earned Gold in Belgium and Australia. 

As evidenced by what his teachers and coaches have said about him, Young has the work ethic, on and off the field, court or mat, to accomplish whatever he sets his mind to. 

“Isaiah has an unmatched work ethic and completely embodies what a student/athlete is supposed to be,” Fallsburg Varsity Basketball Head Coach and Assistant Football Coach, Lionel White, said.

“I am really excited and motivated about this opportunity,” Young humbly said. “But it hasn’t really sunk in yet that I could make the Olympic team.”