In July, we brought you the story of 12-year-old Kylie Hunts-in-Winter, a Valley martial arts phenom.
Kylie began Kenpo Karate when she was just 3 years old. She took up Brazilian Jiu Jitsu at age 8, Judo at age 9 and Muay Thai kickboxing at age 10.
Kylie recently decided to take up wrestling, as well -- and on March 19, she shined at the United States Association of Martial Artists' Grand Internationals tournament in Albuquerque by taking first place in an MMA/Take Down sparring match.
"I fought two times. The first time I got a take-down, then dominated on the ground and finished it off with an arm bar," she said.
"My second time fighting, I got a couple of take-downs and controlled the ground fighting. Then, we stood back up and exchanged punches -- a number of them to the facemasks, both on her and myself."
Kylie began her training for the event by fighting adults -- both men and women -- for 5 to 6 hours per day.
"After fighting and training with adult men and women in my dojo, I was ready to fight someone my age," she said, adding she has compiled three national martial arts championships and is now training for a June MMA match in Las Vegas.
And it gets better: After Kylie appeared on ABC15 last year, she was invited to audition for starring role in an upcoming Hollywood film.
"I haven't received a call-back, but it was an honor being asked to try out for a major motion picture," she said.
Also, Kylie will soon star in a short film called "Brave Woman" that will be directed by a family friend.
What will the movie be about? We'll just have to wait and see.
"I don't want to give away the plot and storyline at this time," she said.
