Cape Breton teen living with autism earns taekwondo black belt

Makaio Edwards, from Glace Bay, N.S., is already known in his community for being named a UNESCO dance ambassador back in April.

Now, he’s being celebrated for his accomplishments in a second hobby – taekwondo.

“A little fun fact, my first main goal in taekwondo was to get a green belt because I loved the colour green,” Edwards told CTV Atlantic.The 13-year-old lives with autism but that didn't stop him from giving martial arts a try.

He started when he was seven-years-old.

“With his disability, he kind of had to work double time I guess to accomplish but he never gave up”, said Angie MacDonald, general manager of Island Martial Arts Centre (IMAC).

On Dec. 3, Edwards took his black belt test at IMAC’s Sydney location.

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