The Kane County Board recognized a real-life world champion last week when County Board member Kurt Kojzarek read a resolution and presented a plaque to Gilberts resident Meryl Swidler.

One of the things Kane County likes to do is recognize “extraordinary young adults whose dedication and achievements serve as inspiration for others in the community.”
Swidler definitely qualifies.

She is the 2013 and 2014 reigning National Champion and 2013 World Champion in Creative Forms, Creative Weapons and Extreme Forms through the World Karate and Kickboxing Commission.

And on top of that, the 2014 U.S. National Championship Gold Medal winner for Low Kick, Girls 16-17 years through the World Association of Kickboxing Organizations.

WAKO USA is the United States’ division of the World Association of Kickboxing Organizations and the governing body of amateur kickboxing sport certified by Sport Accord.

Kickboxing will be on display as part of the next edition of the World Games in 2017 in Wroclaw, Poland. (And that is, as the kids say these days, “a thing.”)

Kojzarek said he’s a neighbor of the Swidlers and very proud of Meryl’s achievements. He added that, thanks to her, “I think we might have the safest neighborhood in Kane County.”

–Suburban Chronicle news sources