Whiz Kids: Damyen and Apollo Gothard

Each week, Lemont Patch will seek suggestions from readers for individual kids, youth groups, teens and even sports teams that wow us with their accomplishments.

We want to hear about these amazing children and teens and select one each week as the Patch Whiz Kid.  Submit your nomination in our comment box below or e-mail the information to Local Editor Amanda Luevano at amanda@patch.com. Be sure to include all of the information included below.

And without further ado, this week's Whiz Kids are...

Age: Damyen, 11; Apollo, 8

School: Damyen attends Old Quarry Middle School, while Apollo attends

Accomplishment: First place finishes at the C3 Submission Grappling Jiu-Jitsu Tournament, which was held Saturday, July 16, in Gary, Ind.

Keys to Awesomeness: After four months of practice at Clay Guida's MMASTOP in Crest Hill, Damyen and Apollo had the opportunity to compete in their first ever jiu-jitsu/grappling tournament.

While competing, Damyen went 3-0 on the day with one tap-out submission (rear naked choke) for a gold medal. Apollo went 2-0 (outscored his opponent 12-0 in the championship round) on the day to bring home the gold medal.

Damyen has a serious hardcore work ethic. He practices jiu-jitsu, wrestling, and Muay Thai up to seven days a week. Most days he practices all three of those sports. Apollo is a hard working 8-year-old who also practices jiu-jitsu and wrestling up to seven days a week;

Both are local wrestlers for the Lemont Bears, and Damyen is the longest active wrestler for the organization.

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Thanks to a partnership with Nancy's Pizza, each Lemont Patch Whiz Kid will receive a certificate good for for one small Super Thin Crust cheese pizza.

Whiz Kids may redeem their certificate at , 1240 State St. For more information call Nancy's Pizza Lemont at 630-243-0033.