By:Carrie James
At 16, Billy Cody Lawlor of East Meadow is nine times a New York State champion
As 16-year-old Billy Cody Lawlor whips around to kick the paddle his father Bill Lawlor holds high in the air, it's easy to see the Olympic dreams in this teenager's eyes.
In a move that looks easy, but truly results from many years practicing taekwondo, the younger Lawlor kicks the paddle and lands on his feet in a readied fighting stance.
Lawlor of East Meadow, who hopes to compete in the Olympics, has won the New York State taekwondo championship nine years running and recently attained a fourth-degree black belt, which is the first level of the sport's master rank, enabling him to teach classes.
Billy Lawlor took his first taekwondo class at age 3 1/2. At the time, his father and mother thought it would be a good activity for him to pursue, with the elder Lawlor having practiced taekwondo during his military service.
"It was just something I enjoy," said Billy Lawlor. "The convenience of it, the school and the U.S. Olympic coach were right here in East Meadow. I guess my dad was right, it would be a good thing for me."
His father remembers he could barely perform the punches and kicks that taekwondo coach Yeon Hwon Park asked of him. Thirteen years later, Lawlor is well on his way to making the 2004 Olympic taekwondo team, according to coach Park.
"We have the Olympics in 2004, so actually he has to be qualified in 2003," said Park, who has a seventh-degree black belt and carries the grand master title. "He's training hard, and he's never missing another tournament. He's always focusing, and I have a special plan for 2004. Every single day he's training, not just here at the school, but also outside of this school."
Lawlor's road to this level of competition has been long, but for the most part, victorious as well.
In the beginning, Bill Lawlor said his son showed a strong determination to learn the Korean-born sport. He recalled watching his son at practice, his face scrunched in concentration, punching with all his might along with the other students.
Back then, young Lawlor said he viewed taekwondo practice as more of a time to play with the other students."I immediately liked taekwondo and made a lot of friends there," he said. "It was kind of playing then."
When Lawlor received his black belt at age 8, though, he said he didn't view it as a play activity anymore. Something changed in him, he said, and he began to take the sport very seriously.
Soon after, Lawlor took his first state title, although he won his first taekwondo tournament at age 5. Since then, the Lawlor household has overflowed with trophies, plaques and medals that showcase Billy Lawlor's talent in taekwondo, including two gold medals from the Junior Olympics and eight other New York State titles.
He's had thousands of fights, which constitute three three-minute rounds, during his 12 years of taekwondo. Most of these, Lawlor's won, but occasionally he's lost a match or two.
"Every fight is different, so you pretty much have to play it by ear," he said. "The losses are tough, but you can learn from them. The wins are always great, though, because it's a boost."
Throughout it all, he's been coached by Grand Master Park, who since 1988 has coached the U.S. Olympic team. Park moved to the United States from Korea in 1980 to work with his older brother Yeon Hee Park, who founded the East Meadow school.
Yeon Hwan Park eventually took the school over and has since trained many, ranging from ages 3 to 83, how to practice the martial art of taekwondo. This, however, is the first time he has trained a potential Olympian from the beginning.
"He's been with me since he was 3 1/2," Park said. "I've emphasized not only taekwondo championships. In the beginning, I did emphasize taekwondo championships, but later we recommended he look at other championships. In the beginning, he did well and continued to win, so I emphasized becoming a champion of life."
Park's five taekwondo principles - respect, humility, perseverance, self-control and honesty - have found a home in every aspect of Billy Lawlor's life, from school work to his relationship with his parents.
His father and mother, Diane Lawlor, willingly give 100-percent support to their son by attending every match, as well as practices. Likewise, young Lawlor shows respect and affection for his parents.
"Billy's a man-child, he's always been that way," Bill Lawlor said. "Every time he fights, he kisses me and his mother before the match. He makes a point of showing his affection."
Billy Lawlor also takes the focus from taekwondo and uses it academically. As a junior at Kellenberg Memorial High School, a Catholic private school in Uniondale, he's an honor-program student who maintains a high grade-point average.
"There's a certain mental aspect to taekwondo," Billy Lawlor said. "It's helped me in my school work. Because I had good teachers, I also do well."
In high school, Lawlor plays golf and used to wrestle, but he gave that sport up when it interfered with his taekwondo. To him, this sport will always be his first priority outside of academics.
Billy Lawlor has just three years to get ready for the taekwondo Olympic trials. Even with Park's position in Olympic and taekwondo circles, Lawlor knows he has to win his spot on the team.
Each day he runs three miles, in addition to his training.
"There's one spot on the team, he has to maintain his shape and get geared for the Olympics," his father said. "My wife and I are very supportive. It's a family support. We're there for him at each match to show our support because he's the guy taking all the bumps and bruises."
