Most kids go to Florida to go to the world class amusement parks or play in the warm ocean surf; Paul Gorelov went down to fight. Paul, who is an 11-year-old from Great Neck, wasnít really picking a fight, he was representing the Great Neck PAL Judo team at the United States Judo Association Junior Nationals in Boca Raton. The nationals were held in August at Florida Atlantic University. Paul was successful in capturing the gold medal in his weight and age division, making him the reigning USJA National Champion in that category.

Paul was accompanied by teammate Chris Koo, who also excelled with a fourth place finish at the event.

PAL coach Dave Passoff, who has been teaching for the PAL for over 30 years, said, ìboth boys are extremely talented for children so young in a sport that demands focus, technical expertise and a lot of courage.î Most children Chris and Paulís age are content to play in the school with their club mates doing what Dave Passoff refers to as ìrecreational judo.î As a matter of fact, the great majority of Judo players in the United States, and for that matter, worldwide, are recreational judo players. It takes special skills, talent and desire to ratchet it up a notch and take on the best in the US. Both Paul and Chris hope one day to bring it to the next and ultimate level in effort, to become one of the elite representing their country in the Olympics one day.

The Great Neck PAL Judo Club meets once a week from September through June at the Lakeville School on Wednesday nights from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Registration begins at the school during September. For more information, contact Dave Passoff at 718-631-0144.