Preston Motta of Santa Maria is only 9 years old, but he already has three gold medals under his belt—his gray belt to be specific. Preston won first place in all three jiu-jitsu competitions he’s entered since joining Paragon Brazilian Jiu-jitsu in 2015, and he intends to remain undefeated for as long as he can help it.
“I love jiu-jitsu because it allows you to challenge yourself,” Motta told the Sun. “I love practicing all of the techniques and competing against different opponents.”
When Preston’s parents agreed to let him join the kids’ jiu-jitsu class at Paragon, he couldn’t have been more excited, he said. Preston was 6 at the time.
“I remember my husband and I were so nervous when we saw him compete for the first time,” Michele Motta, Preston’s mom, told the Sun. “I was shocked to see how much he had already learned and how well he was able to apply it. I can vividly remember his instructors coaching him from the sidelines, suggesting so many different techniques, but he understood each one immediately.”
After seeing how much fun their older brother was having, Preston’s two younger siblings asked if they could join Paragon too, which their parents had no problem with.
“Jiu-jitsu is such a great form of discipline, it gives children the confidence of knowing they can always defend themselves,” Michele said. “My husband and I are so proud and inspired by Preston’s determination at each and every competition.”
But jiu-jitsu is only a fraction of Preston’s athletic career so far, Michele added. Preston plays soccer, baseball, flag football, and will play contact football for the first time in the fall, she said.
“I love jiu-jitsu, but football is actually my favorite sport to watch,” Preston said. “I love how committed football players are to the game and to each other, and I love seeing teams come back and win in the end even when they’re down.”
While most kids don’t want summer to end, Preston is looking forward to fall so he can finally start football. He’s is also excited to start fourth grade, he said.
“When Preston first entered third grade, he had a wonderful curiosity for learning and a natural knack for leadership,” Ellery Ross, Preston’s third-grade teacher, told the Sun. “Everything Preston does in his life is approached with precision and hard work. He always wants to give his best shot. Between school and sports, he is always willing to put in the extra mile of work.”
This article appears in Jun 29 – Jul 6, 2017.
