Latino Sports Feature: A Fearsome Force in the World of Karate

In a world filled with conflict and division, we look for the stories that radiate inspiration, where life and adversity channel a person’s will to persevere.

One of those stories can be told through the words of 19-year-old Destiny Vergara. 

Destiny has dedicated nearly her entire life to a sport not commonly sought by young women.

Karate. 

A story filled with family tradition, commitment, and perseverance, Destiny opens up about her life as a force in the world of karate. Nurtured by her love for the sport, her dreams of one day becoming an Olympian has kept her aspiring to be excellent in all facets of life — carrying that same devotion to a career that seeks to help others and mend a world that yearns to heal.  

The notion of exploring the art of karate did not fall from the sky but can be found within the sequences of D.N.A. that run through Destiny’s veins. 

Destiny is a second-generation American, with mom, Olivia — who carries her Puerto Rican roots — and father, Gerald — whose parents are from Ecuador — born and raised in the bustling concrete jungle of New York City. 

Gerald’s experience and love for martial arts helped fuel his daughter’s passion for the sport. 

The interest peaked with an escape into the realm of film that allowed the eyes of young Destiny to widen with awe so profound; it would become the Forward to her riveting story. 

Gerald knew who to turn to when seeking a Sensei to lead and train his daughter. Sensei Kai Leung at his dojo in Astoria, Queens. Kai trained Gerald and also taught… 

Wait for it.

Her maternal grandfather.

Three generations. All instructed by a lone Sensei.

Destiny would enter her first national competition at the tender age of seven and follow through with a performance that only intensified her eagerness to compete. Growing into her teenage years, Destiny took no shortcuts in finding ways to place herself on top, facing towering competition that was older in age and more prominent in size.      

“I realized I can take this somewhere if I really practice. My coaches told me, ‘you need to put more time and effort into this because you’re good.’” Good, and on the road to becoming a fearsome competitor. 

As years of development and intense training ensued, Destiny learned to master the art of being a student-athlete. As a student at Queens Metropolitan High School (Q.M.H.S), a member of the Student Council, participating in year-round sports — including volleyball, wrestling, and softball — a construct of core development and will to take on a mount of responsibilities would help build an earnest individual who craves success.

In the midst of a Pandemic, our hopes and aspirations for a valiant 2020 fell to its knees. The world stood still as scientists, doctors, and medical professionals fought a silent war. With a stay-at-home order implemented around the globe, we’re forced to pause our lives and confine ourselves in between the walls of our homes. 

Destiny was at the cusp of her high school career at Q.M.H.S as we faced the future with profound uncertainty. Only four months separated the beginning of a nationwide lockdown and graduation. Not only was Destiny supposed to walk across a stage to receive her diploma, but she was given the prestigious honor of speaking in front of her classmates, teachers, and family members. 

With the following events slashed from the calendar, the emotions that would drape over the then 18-year-old was feelings that tampered with unfamiliarity. “I did reach a low. I wanted to be motivated, but it was so hard to be motivated when the world was just in chaos.”

A complete and utter halt would soon tap into the unseen vulnerability that athletes are trained to shield from others. This impact not only affected Destiny but many athletes across the globe. 

“We were training with such intensity before the pandemic. So there was a second there where I felt I was getting used to these new norms that just weren’t natural. And that’s dangerous because it can mess up with your head,” Destiny said as she reflected on the tumultuous times that resulted because of the COVID-19 pandemic. “There was a second there I was like, I don’t know. My life is just up in the air. What’s going to happen? Tomorrow isn’t guaranteed, and it was hard for me to get out of that little slump.”

Despite the anxieties and uncertainty that hovered, Destiny found ways to train with her Sensei, receive physical therapy, and train to remain in top physical shape. A moment, as simple as face-to-face greeting, a handshake or bow — once taken for granted — now eternally cherished. After finally being able to see her friends and coaches, the spark from within turned into a flare, “I felt more motivated than ever.” 

As the world follows a glimmer of light into 2021, there is an overwhelming amount of hope that infiltrates the air. A hope resurrected from ambitions that resemble the aspirations of a young woman from Queens. 

Destiny has competed for the Puerto Rican Federation since 2016. She has represented Puerto Rico on multiple occasions, including the Pan American championships. 

“For me for being able to represent Puerto Rico is such an honor because I grew up, and I was raised in New York. I’m very proud to be American, but I’m also Puerto Rican. I’m also Ecuadorian, and I love celebrating my diversity,” Destiny said. “To take that opportunity and represent my family, and where my heritage is from is a huge honor for me… I’m so happy to be Puerto Rican. Just Hispanic in general. I love it.”   

The beauty of Destiny’s diversity allows her to represent Puerto Rico and her Ecuadorian and American roots. Growing up in Queens — the most ethnically diverse borough in New York City — she understands the importance that comes with being a representative of her roots. However, in the monumental setting of the Olympics — the world’s most esteemed sports competition that pools the best athletes from nations across the globe —  an athlete can choose one country to represent. According to Olympic Charter Rule 41, “A competitor who is a national of two or more countries at the same time may represent either one of them, as he may elect.”  

“We should celebrate our differences. Be open to the possibilities of different people representing different countries because they want to honor their past and other people, their family who came from those places, and other people who are just like me. I bet you there are a lot of people who are in my boat to also feel in the same situation. And if I can pave the way, we can do it all. 

That’s just a really big honor.”

The Pan American Games are held every four years, bringing together the best athletes from 41 nations in a world-class competition with 302 events in 28 sports. In 2021, the first Youth Pan American Games were established for athletes aged 17 to 22 in the Americas, from November 25 to December 5  in Cali, Colombia.

With the nerves of excitement radiating through her veins, it was go-time. After stepping off the plane, Destiny and many other athletes were given a hero’s welcome, as they were greeted generously by a sea of people who were awaiting their arrival.  

Destiny relayed a message to herself that became ingrained in her mind to help focus on the awaited competition.

One day at a time, one match at a time. 

That was the mental motivation spoken under hushed tones as pent-up nerves began to settle. 

With the stream of heavy white light reflecting off the blue and red surface, Destiny was met with challengers from various countries. The first was the most formidable opponent, Brazil. In that first meeting with Brazil, Destiny suffered her first loss of the competition. Then, eradicating the nerves and engulfing herself in the competition, she faced Haiti and gained the confidence to win and move past preliminaries. 

 A matchup against México would ensue the following day. During the match, México had a two-point advantage. However, within the last 10 seconds of the match, Destiny dug from within, using all the lessons and mental fortitude of her past and present to conquer a feat.

“She came into my distance, and I kicked her in the head, which is three points, which gave me the lead. I’m winning. (I’m thinking), ‘There are three seconds left. If I can run out the clock and keep my lead, I’m going to the finals.’ That’s what happened. She charged me, there were no points called, and I kept my lead.”

Destiny was onto the finals and was about to face a fierce and familiar foe, Brazil. Time and research that included studying videos of Brazil’s technique would help prepare the representative of Puerto Rico for the gold medal match.  

The 19-year-old from Queens faced a sterling competitor but could not defeat her in the last matchup of the Youth Pan American Games.

When it was all over, Destiny Vergara, of Queens, New York, who represented the island of Puerto Rico, stood on the podium with the silver medal around her neck. The first Puerto Rican ever to medal in the Youth Pan American Games in karate.

With her father in the stands and mom along with her closest supporters 26,000 miles away, a wave of support hovered over Destiny, who yearned for a victorious finish with the gold medal in her possession. 

“There were times when I knew I was in a terrible situation, but I also knew it wouldn’t last forever. Those are the moments when you have to remind yourself that this experience is a defining moment in your life, but you are not defined by it.” 

Those are the words that mixed martial artist and U.F.C. fighter Ronda Rousey uttered. No matter the context, no words are more authentic than words spoken through a defining moment. 

“You’re just where you need to be,” Destiny said after a slew of support encouraged her to be proud of her silver medal. “This is exactly what God wanted to happen. And things happen for a reason. I’m very happy, and everyone was cheering me on. All that support just made me feel super grateful.”

It’s been over a month since Destiny returned from Colombia. Now a sophomore at the University of Miami, Destiny is on a pre-med track as she purses a degree in health science, with a minor in political science.

As we leave 2021 in our rearview mirror, we trek down a new road that’s filled with optimism. Finally, as we ring in 2022, we’re met with resolutions that allow us to have hope. Hope that all the lessons, heartache, struggles, and sacrifices will be worth it. For Destiny, the hope is to one day fulfill her Olympic dreams and proceed to a career that comes with great responsibility.