MARTIAL ARTIST FOURTH AT NATIONALS

Taekwondo enthusiast Matthew Paterson has some serious hardware to add to his growing collection of trophies and medals, thanks to his recent efforts at an international competition in Vegas.

Patterson, in Grade 6 at White Rock Elementary, took fourth spot in both weapons and forms at the 2007 American Taekwondo Association Spring Nationals.

The standings didn't add points to the determined 11-year-old's run at Canadian champ, but they did earn him two giant competitor medals - nothing to turn your nose up at.

"The experience was just awesome," Patterson said Monday, on a break from training at Seung-Ri Black Belt Academy in White Rock.

The event drew competitors from across Canada, the U.S. and South America. Patterson competed in weapons, sparring and forms.

"You have to know everything off by heart. how to read your opponent in sparring and keep your eye on your opponent.

"I expected it wasn't going to be really, really easy.

"Everyone that went down there wanted first place."

The Spring Nationals was Patterson's first tournament on an international stage, and he trained tirelessly to prepare for it.

He's confident it won't be his last.

"I'd go again," he said.

And next time, he'll be even more prepared.

"When I go down there next year, I'm going to practice harder, try harder and push myself past my limits," he said.

"I definitely have to go past my limits to try and get a first-place."