Christian Konoval
Christian Konoval began training judo in November of 2011 as a supplement to his Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and quickly realized it to be his true passion. Immediately after his first lesson, Christian expressed to his father his sudden desire to someday compete in the Olympics representing Team USA. His father, Adrian, after talking to his son about his then newly found love for judo said that "Christian wants to be the first American male to win a Gold medal in Judo but is humble enough to hope someone else does it before him to set the bar".
Christian is an amazing 11-year-old purple belt that at such a young age demonstrates excellent discipline and an incredible work ethic. He trains 6 days a week; every day he wakes up at 4:30 in the morning for a 1.5 hour workout, which include a 2-mile run, push ups, pull ups, sit ups, and 100+ Uchi Komis. In fact it is not uncommon for him to complete workouts that his adult counter parts cannot.
Christian trains with pride and honor under the guidance of Sensei Louis Lopez of Lopez Judo Academy in Corpus Christi, TX and also travels to Corpus Christi Bushido Judo with Sensei Patrick Durbin for randori as well as Sensei Javier Garriga at Westlake Judo in Houston.
Christian’s determination has inspired his father and siblings; 9-year-old Gabriella and 7-year-old Lilliana to train and compete in the wonderful martial art that judo is. Recently, the latest addition to the family, his youngest sibling 2-year-old Brayden, has begun doing uchi komis as well.
In 2013 he took bronze at the Junior Olympics and has kept the intensity up ever since. After moving up a weight class, he finished the 2014 season with 8 first place in Texas, Texas State Champion, all 25 points as a Texas Judo All Star team member, two 4th place finishes at the 2014 National/International Junior Olympics, in addition to his 2014 USA Judo President’s Cup National title. Christian is honored and thankful to even be considered for nomination for athlete of the month and offers his deepest gratitude to his extended family in the Judo community.