The New Britain High School student won two gold medals 

Why Can’t a Top Martial-Arts Athlete Compete with Men?

Sloane Cameron is one of the best power breakers in the world. Why can’t she compete in the sport’s most prestigious competition? Credit Lorri Eidenschink Broaddus With competitors in her division from Russia, Korea, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Congo, Rodriguez prevailed as best in the world. “(Hearing them announce) ‘First Place, USA, Ceana Rodriguez’ … it was just an unbelievable feeling that I’m number one against all these different countries,” Rodriguez told the Herald from South Korea.

Rodriguez’s mother, Dinah Bissoni, who works a full-shift job and then drives her daughter to train daily, noted how special it was for Rodriguez to win in South Korea.

“To bring back a gold medal from where Taekwondo was born is an honored accomplishment,” Bissoni said.

Rodriguez battled a competitor from Uzbekistan in the final.

“We were both very cautious and very quick,” Rodriguez said.

Toward the end of the match, however, Rodriguez made her move.

The New Britain High School student won two gold medals competing in South Korea recently, one coming at the Jeonju Open International Taekwondo Championships on July 20 and again at the more prestigious Chuncheon Korea Open International Taekwondo Championships this week, an event consisting of some 2,500 competitors from 50 countries.“The Korea Open is the (most competitive) international championship in the world,” said Master Kiye Cho, Rodriguez’s coach.

Sloane Cameron is one of the best power breakers in the world. Why can’t she compete in the sport’s most prestigious competition? Credit Lorri Eidenschink Broaddus

With competitors in her division from Russia, Korea, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Congo, Rodriguez prevailed as best in the world. Article continues below…