An Unexpected Martial Arts Champ
By: Liz Gonzales
Updated: December 22, 2012
It all started at the age of 62 when she took her grandson in to a martial arts class.
"I signed him up and I thought, oh I can go work out in the back, in the work out room."
But her now instructor wasn't going to let her off that easy.
"My instructor gave me a dobok, which is our uniform, and I said, 'what's that for' and he said 'you just signed up' and I said 'oh no I'm just going to exercise.' He said 'you just signed up."
Now Georgia has competed all over the world, including Korea and she has the medals to prove it.
"It's amazing because no one was my age. I had to compete against women who were in their 30s when I was in my 60s."
Georgia is now 74 and still a force to reckoned with.
"My daughters have said, 'mom I feel sorry for anyone who tries to steal your purse."
"They're not gonna get my purse, that's for sure."
It's always better to show than tell.
"There are so many that end up dead on the side of the road somewhere. If you could save your live, why wouldn't it be worth it."
For Georgia, that's exactly what Kuk Sool Won has done.
"I had an abusive marriage before I remarried. I was very timid. Everything i did i was like 'oh I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry."
Her instructor told her he never wanted to hear those words come out of her mouth.
"And I thought, you know what, I am ok. And i don't have to apologize for being who I am."
To her, that's priceless.
"I think that's probably been the greatest gift. Is just to be sure of myself and have the confidence."
It's the everlasting strength she never knew she would find.
