ByΒ Sam Bauman
Published:Β Jan. 27, 2023 at 12:08 PM EST|
POOLER, Ga. (WTOC) - WTOC first told you about the Special Kicks program at Pooler Karate back in 2020.
Now one of the students who came through it has reached a major milestone.
One that was seen and celebrated by more than a million people thanks to a video that captured the special moment.
For the past year and a half Matthew Sangiorge and Alex Mercado have had a standing appointment.
βWe come in every week, every Friday. What time do we come in?β Sangiorge asked.
β1:30!β³ Mercado responded.
Matthew trains Alex, who has cerebral palsy, in Brazilian Jujitsu.
βDefinitely a whole lot of running around, a lot of groundwork to keep him moving,β said Sangiorge.
Over the past year and a half Mercado has gotten pretty good.
Good enough, that just last week he received the first white stripe on his belt.
A milestone Matthew says, heβs more than earned.
βIt was definitely your time buddy. Everything weβve been going over he soaks it in like a sponge.β
When that stripe was officially added his reaction said it all.
βIt really just shows what martial arts is all about. You know, that everybody can come in no matter what and everyone will support you and carry you on your journey,β said Sangiorge.
That support growing beyond the gym racking up nearly 2 million views on Matthewβs TikTok.
βI was like, βwow!β The power of social media that everybody can kind of see what weβre doing here.β
A moment of pure joy that Matthew believe sends an important message.
βAlex really shows you that you have no excuse. If Alex can come in here with a smile on his face every day, bust his butt harder than any other student, you really donβt have an excuse. It makes your problems not that bad.β
A lesson this master is learns from his student every time they hit the mat.
βIβm telling you this man right here has changed my life. Iβm saying how can you have a bad day when he comes in. Iβm telling you Iβm very appreciative. Friends forever,β Sangiorge says.
If youβd like more information on Pooler Karateβs Special Kicks program clickΒ here.
Copyright 2023 WTOC. All rights reserved.