Deer Park Teenager To Represent USA In International Competition

DEER PARK, NY — A Deer Park resident will soon be representing the United States on an international level.

Fran Petito, president of the NY Sportscene Children’s Foundation, presented Kayla Tyson, 13, with a check for $2,500 on Thursday, to compete in Taekwondo at the 2022 Cadet and Junior World Championship in Sofia, Bulgaria next week.

"On behalf of Suffolk County, we are so excited and proud of Kayla, for working to fulfill her dreams," Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone said.

Kayla, who has practiced Taekwondo since the age of 3, recently traveled to Fort Worth, Texas where she went undefeated and earned her spot on the 2022 USA Taekwondo National Team.

All competitors must pay their own fees to travel to Bulgaria, Bellone said. When philanthropist Steve Castleton discovered Kayla's story, he contacted Petito, who was also determined to help.

"We want you to bring us back that gold, but but we also want you to succeed in everything that you do in life and we're here for you," said Petito.

Bellone, with Castleton and Petito, celebrated Kayla at a press conference on Thursday, alongside her family, friends, and instructor Master SoonKwon Kang of Champions Martial Arts.

The competition will run from July 28 to 31. Kayla dreams to one day compete for the United States at the Olympics.

"We're going to make sure that we support her in any way possible," said Bellone. "We look forward to her bringing home a big win not just for Team USA, but for Suffolk County, as well."