(March 26, 2004) — “Jab left… now put your right hand up to your ear,” shouts boxing coach David Wu. Senior John Choi may often be found sleeping in his classes but this teenager is not lazy. While most students are found studying in classrooms during seventh period and enrichment, Choi is found at the Los Angeles Youth Community Center with his boxing coach and former amateur boxer Wu, training for his first competition in mid April. This senior has been consistently training since October, three to four times a week for one to two hours a day. During the first few months, Choi also held an after school tutoring elementary students at Apple Tree Academy in Glendale; he no longer works. On Saturday mornings, Choi often spars with his coach in addition to running every day. Choi’s training consists of jump roping, sit-ups, speed bags and punching bags. In addition to his physical training, Choi must also “lose [his] fat,” and train his eating habits. To Choi, this means no carbohydrates. “I’m trying to lose weight so I don’t have to fight in the heavy weight section,” said Choi. Choi’s enthusiasm for boxing initially began as a joke with his friends at church during his junior year of high school. But his infatuation for boxing became a passion when he took advantage of his fieldwork for senior project. “I think everyone should take advantage of the senior project and do something they really want to be good at,” said Choi. Although his parents initially disapproved of his training, they gave in because of its obligatory nature. After his senior project and competition end, Choi said he would like to continue training and perhaps make it a hobby throughout his adulthood. However, his dreams extend out to enrolling at USC and becoming a businessman.