Estonian-American Martial Arts Prodigy Rallies Community in Quest for National Title

Now, his dedication and skill have propelled him onto a national stage. Ragnar is vying for the 2025 Youth Athlete of the Year title, a competition that could land him in a 3BRAND advertisement in Sports Illustrated and award a $25,000 scholarship.

Ragnar is one of hundreds of young athletes across the country competing in the inaugural Youth Athlete of the Year contest – an online competition launched by NFL star Russell Wilson’s brand 3BRAND in partnership with Sports Illustrated and two renowned charities. The contest celebrates rising stars who embody dedication, teamwork, and sportsmanship. Its champion will earn not only national bragging rights, but also a tangible boost for their future: appearing in a Sports Illustrated spread and taking home $25,000 for their education or athletic development Uniquely, the event doubles as a fundraiser for the V Foundation for Cancer Research and Wilson’s own Why Not You Foundation, meaning every vote contributes to those causes.

A Passion for Taekwondo‍

For Ragnar, the road to this moment has been paved with discipline. A seventh-grader in New York City, he discovered TaekwonDo as a young child and quickly fell in love with the sport’s mix of physical and mental challenges. Now a seasoned martial arts competitor, he spends most evenings in the dojang honing techniques – from explosive kicks to precise forms – under the guidance of his coach, Grandmaster Ruben Suarez. Suarez, one of the highest-ranking TaekwonDo masters and President of ITF America, is an inspiration as well as an instructor. “Grandmaster Suarez always tells me that with discipline and respect, I can achieve anything,” Ragnar says.

That mindset has translated into early success. Ragnar has already amassed numerous medals in regional youth TaekwonDo tournaments. At school, his all-around fitness is equally impressive: in 6th grade physical education tests, he logged the top scores not just in his class but across the entire middle school. “I broke a couple of school fitness records that year,” he recalls proudly. “It felt awesome because it showed how my hard work in TaekwonDo paid off.” Those achievements, Ragnar says, rank among his proudest moments so far.

Like many ambitious athletes, Ragnar looks up to the greats of his sport. He cites Julio César Carlos – a Queens-born TaekwonDo prodigy who won multiple world championships as a teenager – as a role model. Seeing Julio Carlos dominate on the world stage shows Ragnar “what’s possible if I work hard.” But his most immediate role model is right at home in the dojo: “My coach, Grandmaster Suarez, inspires me. He’s reached the highest levels in TaekwonDo, and he started out as a kid like me. It reminds me that I can go far too, if I stay dedicated.”

Rallying a Bilingual Community

‍Ragnar’s journey to become Youth Athlete of the Year has turned into a community effort – one that spans oceans. Born in the U.S. to Estonian parents, Ragnar is proudly bilingual, speaking Estonian at home and English at school. As word of his contest campaign spread, New York’s close-knit Estonian-American community took notice. Friends, neighbors, and fellow Estonians have been sharing Ragnar’s voting link and story on social media, determined to help “one of their own” succeed on a national platform.

“It’s heartwarming to see people from as far away as Estonia voting for him,” says Ragnar’s mother, who emigrated from Estonia to New York over 20 years ago. “It shows how our community can unite around its youth and dreams.” Indeed, support has poured in from Estonians abroad as well – proof that Ragnar’s dual heritage is a source of strength.

To thank his diverse supporters, the enterprising 12-year-old even recorded a multilingual video message. In the short clip, Ragnar smiles shyly at the camera and greets viewers in Estonian – “Tere kõigile!” – then Spanish – “¡Hola a todos!” – and English: “Hi everyone!” He goes on to express gratitude for the outpouring of votes and donations. The trilingual greeting was Ragnar’s own idea, reflecting the languages he hears in his Queens neighborhood and a desire to include everyone in his journey. “I was nervous about my Spanish,” he admits with a laugh, “but I really wanted to say thanks to everyone supporting me.”

His family has also helped him create a modest social media campaign. Ragnar’s father manages his Facebook page where regular updates remind followers to vote daily. A YouTube video on Ragnar’s channel shows highlights of his martial arts training – from board-breaking to sparring drills – intercut with a personal appeal for support. The production isn’t flashy, but it doesn’t need to be; Ragnar’s earnest enthusiasm carries the message. Each week, as another elimination round looms, he pops up in followers’ feeds with a friendly reminder: “Don’t forget to get your vote in today – we’re still in this!”

A Contest of Grit and Generosity

‍The Youth Athlete of the Year competition itself is a test of perseverance and community mobilization as much as athletic merit. The contest spans several rounds over the course of 10 weeks. Starting with dozens of athletes grouped by region or category, the field is whittled down step by step: Top 20, Top 15, Top 10, and so on, until only one finalist from each group remains. In late September, the group winners face off in the finals, and public voting determines the ultimate champion (set to be announced by October 17, 2025).

Unlike a typical judged sports competition, the outcome rests entirely on public votes. Each supporter can cast a free vote once per day through the contest’s website. (A Facebook login is required to verify each voter’s identity, ensuring fairness.) For those especially invested in Ragnar’s cause, the contest offers the option to purchase additional votes as donations – essentially a charitable fundraiser built into the competition. Every dollar donated equals one extra vote, and 100% of those proceeds go to DTCare for distribution to the V Foundation and Why Not You Foundation’s programs. In this way, even a contestant’s campaign benefits others. “I love that every donation vote is helping fight cancer or empower kids in need,” Ragnar says. “No matter what, we’re doing something good together.”

Still, make no mistake: winning is the goal, and Ragnar is laser-focused on it. When asked what it would mean to clinch the Youth Athlete of the Year title, his eyes light up. “It would be a dream come true,” he replies. “I’d get to be in Sports Illustrated! And $25,000... that could help me go to a great college one day, or even the Olympics – who knows?” He’s quick to add that just reaching the finals would be an honor, but deep down the competitive fire burns. “I’m training hard, and I’m campaigning hard. I want to win for everyone who’s supporting me.”

The Road Ahead

‍As of this week, Ragnar has advanced through the early rounds of the contest, securing his spot in the Top 15 of his group. Each round’s votes reset to zero, meaning he must rally his voters anew to progress further. It’s a weekly cycle of suspense: results are announced every Thursday, and only the top vote-getters move on. “The first elimination was nerve-racking,” Ragnar’s father admits. “We watched the countdown timer that evening. When we saw he made it through, our whole family jumped and cheered!” Now, they brace for each Thursday with cautious optimism.

To keep momentum, Team Ragnar treats the campaign like a part of their routine. Friends have set phone reminders to vote every day. His parents have reached out to everyone from school teachers to distant cousins in Estonia to spread the word. Even Ragnar’s TaekwonDo classmates help by sharing the link with their own friends and relatives. It’s truly a grassroots effort. “We tell him, no matter what happens, he’s already our champion,” says his mother. “But we also believe he has what it takes to go all the way.”

The experience has been educational for Ragnar as well. Between managing his YouTube channel, filming thank-you videos, and learning to politely ask for support, he’s picked up skills in communication and leadership. Balancing all this with homework and training could be overwhelming, but Ragnar keeps a level head. “I make sure I do my school work right away so I can go to practice,” he says. “Then after training, we’ll sometimes work on a post or a video. It’s actually fun – it’s like I have a team of people helping me, and I’m the team captain.” He grins at the thought. “A year ago I never imagined I’d be doing all this.”

With the contest now entering its decisive stages, Ragnar Nigul stands on the cusp of a remarkable achievement. Win or lose, he has already united a community and gained invaluable experience. But for this humble young martial artist, the journey isn’t over until the final vote is cast. Public voting remains open, and supporters can continue to vote for Ragnar daily on the competition website (one free vote per Facebook account every 24 hours). Each click, share, and donation brings him one step closer to his dream.

In early October, when the Youth Athlete of the Year winner is finally revealed, Ragnar hopes to hear his name called. If he does, a celebratory cry will no doubt echo from New York to Tallinn. And if not, Ragnar will still have plenty to celebrate – including the simple fact that at 12 years old, he has shown what relentless drive, community spirit, and a few well-placed kicks can accomplish.

Support our young Baltic athlete by voting here.

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