Burrous transformed by participation in taekwondo

MICHAEL WOODS/NWA Democrat-Gazette Cheyanne Burrous, 17, from Siloam Springs, practices her Taekwondo with Master Jerry Lindsey from Impact Martial Arts in Springdale on June 9 as she prepares for her competition in Europe.
MICHAEL WOODS/NWA Democrat-Gazette Cheyanne Burrous, 17, from Siloam Springs, practices her Taekwondo with Master Jerry Lindsey from Impact Martial Arts in Springdale on June 9 as she prepares for her competition in Europe.

SPRINGDALE -- Natasha Dhein was aghast when her then-7-year-old daughter came home in tears after being bullied by boys and girls in the neighborhood.

She encouraged her daughter, Cheyanne Burrous, to stick up for herself then took action to help her do so. Natasha enrolled Cheyanne in taekwondo, which emphasizes head-kicks, jumps and spins.

Ten years later, Burrous no longer recoils at the threat of danger. She is a third-degree black belt and strong young woman who can plant a blow to an opponent's forehead with the flick of her foot.

Burrous and her mother continue to make the commute from their home in Siloam Springs to Springdale, where she trains at Impact Martial Arts on West Sunset Avenue.

"When Cheyanne first came here, she was a little shy and timid," said her instructor, master Jerry Lindsey. "She's always been real sweet and fun and a person who smiles a lot. Since she's been with us, she's now a tough young lady and pretty aggressive. She's learning to be an instructor herself and will probably someday open her own (taekwondo) school."

Burrous, 17, has more immediate plans. She's leaving July 8 for Europe to participate with a United States team in the World Taekwondo Championships. She'll train in Scotland before heading to Birmingham, England, to compete in a division with more than 100 other girls from countries around the globe.

Only black belts can qualify. Burrous was selected by her coaches then competed in a regional tournament in Plano, Texas, ahead of the world tournament.

"It took me about nine years to get my first black belt," Burrous said. "Looking back, I was so excited because it took a lot of hard work."

Dhein has seen the growth in her daughter, both physically and mentally, for nearly a decade in embracing the teaching of taekwondo.

"I couldn't be more proud," Dhein said of her daughter. "I'm ecstatic to see where she's at now from when she started. The tenets she's learned here have helped her become a phenomenal woman."

Besides school and training, Burrous is also busy with a part-time job in Siloam Springs. She and her mother have hosted yard sales, bake sales, car washes and received contributions totaling about $4,000. They've also started an account at Gofundme.com to help pay for a trip that will cost more than $5,000.

Burrous is hoping for a top 10 finish in Europe that could lead to an even bigger role in taekwondo.

"I would love to be with the United States team for the Olympics, even if it was to train with them," Burrous said. "Eventually, I'd love to open my own school someday and work with kids. It's my passion."

Sports on 06/19/2016