Michael Molinero is 18 years old, trains daily in a home dojo he built with his younger brother, and drives four hours each way to Hialeah every other week to spar with grown men. He's the top seed in his weight class on the Team USA karate roster for the under-21 division.

His brother Aaron, 13, holds the same rank in the under-14 division.

Both Land O' Lakes athletes will represent the United States at world-level competitions this year: Michael at the World Karate Federation's U21 Championships in Bielsko-Biała, Poland, Oct. 14–18, and Aaron at the Pan American Karate Championship in San José, Costa Rica, Aug. 24–30.

"My club, my dojo is in Hialeah. So, it's four hours away from my house," Michael told FOX 13 Tampa Bay in a July 31 interview. "That's why I have a dojo here in my house, me and my brother. We train every single day, we push each other to make each other better."

The Poland event will draw roughly 2,000 competitors from more than 100 countries, according to the World Karate Federation.

A family steeped in karate

The sport runs deep in the Molinero household. Their mother, Lisa Molinero, worked at a karate studio before Aaron was born. Aaron started at age three. That's the minimum age allowed, and he hasn't stopped since.

Competitors on the USA Karate national squad receive no government or federation stipend. The family self-funds all training, travel, and tournament fees.

Lisa Molinero told FOX 13 the family works extra jobs to cover costs, calling the sacrifice worth it because karate is more than a sport to her sons.

Sponsorship call

The Molineros are seeking local business sponsors to help cover travel and gear costs for both upcoming international trips. Interested businesses can contact the brothers' father, Michael Molinero Sr., at [email protected] or reach Michael Jr. on Instagram at @mikey_molinero.

What's next

  • Aug. 24–30: Aaron Molinero competes at the Pan American Karate Championship in San José, Costa Rica.
  • Oct. 14–18: Michael Molinero competes at the World Karate Federation U21 Championships in Bielsko-Biała, Poland.