Chloe Towns, a Costa freshman, is a nationally ranked female in a stereotypical male sport. She began on her 4th birthday when she lived in New Jersey. What sparked her interest? Ever since she was little, she took a Gymboree class that was next to a taekwondo studio, and the master promised her she could join once she turned four years old. She has been hooked on the sport ever since.

Taekwondo is a sport based on a meticulous point-system, where fighters are separated by their gender, age, and weight class. Last year, Towns was ranked 1st in the country for her division. Now, after switching into a higher age and weight class, Chloe is prepared to fight her way to the top again. She trains nearly everyday at Quest Taekwondo, a martial arts gym in Redondo Beach, where she trains with a coalition of internationally recognized athletes. Her own coach, Master Walter Vargas, is an Olympian and is recognized worldwide for his taekwondo skills.

To learn more about Chloe’s story, watch our piece.