Watson Lake native Cole Abou-Tibbett has a dream, but needs a little help from his friends to make it come true.

The taekwondo athlete is currently attempting to raise more than $7,000 in order to attend the world championships in Italy next month.

The 17-year-old earned the right to represent Canada at the International Taekwon-Do Federation’s world championships, scheduled for May 27 to 31 in Jesolo, Italy.

“Since I started taekwondo, it has been my dream to represent Canada at the world taekwondo championships,” Abou-Tibbett told the Star.

In November, he competed at the Canadian National Championships in Regina, where he qualified to represent the country at worlds by winning gold in the junior male under-62 kilogram category.

“All of my hard work has been a prelude to that moment when I won gold at nationals,” he said. “An opportunity like this doesn’t come around very often, and it is also not something I take lightly.”

Abou-Tibbett was introduced to the sport at a young age and over the past decade has risen to the rank of second-degree black belt.

“I started taekwondo at age eight and have been hooked on it ever since,” he said. “I love competing.”

Earlier this month, Abou-Tibbett took part in the Western Taekwon-Do Championships in Kelowna, B.C., where he earned gold in sparring and silver in patterns.

A member of the Kaska Dene First Nation, Abou-Tibbett grew up in Watson Lake, where he spent plenty of time on his grandfather’s trap line near the Dease River in northern B.C.

The lion’s share of many of his summers were spent on the line – hunting, fishing and learning about his family heritage.

“I am proud to be a Kaska Dene First Nation and a role model to all First Nation youth of the Yukon, showing them that greater things are in us all and we can make them shine,” he said.

Currently, Abou-Tibbett is a Grade 12 student at Cedars Christian School in Prince George, B.C.

“The Yukon has always been my home and in my heart, no matter how far I am from it,” he stated.

To attend the world championships, Abou-Tibbett needs to pay his own way. Over the past month, he has already raised $5,100 of a necessary $7,400 towards the cause.

“Accomplishing my dream of representing Canada at the taekwondo world championships is an expensive proposition,” he admitted.

“Therefore I am humbly asking for your help in sponsoring me. I am thankful to all sponsors so far for their support.”

Thanks to contributions from a variety of donors – including First Nation bands and the Cedars Christian School community ­– Abou-Tibbett has already met his initial goal of $4,900 to purchase plane tickets, lodging, and meals.

Now, he is attempting to raise further funds to attend training camps in B.C. and Quebec. Logistics to attend these camps has raised his total by $2,500 for a total of $7,400.

To contribute to Abou-Tibbett’s world championships dream, visit www.gofundme.com/coletoworlds.