Don Heflin: NYO Champion Keeping Culture Alive

0:0016-year-old Don Heflin from Betty Davis East Anchorage High School has made the native youth Olympics his top sport after trying basketball. Hockey, track, and football. This proud and new PX-off Moore has competed in NYO for a full decade, starting in junior games back in first grade. The senior games kicked off Thursday at the Alaska Airlines Center and run through Saturday night, focusing more on fun, culture, and self-testing. Then just winning gold. He grabbed second place on day one in the toe kick at 88 inches and the Alaskan High Kick at 86 inches. His favorite, the two-foot high kick, came on day two where he hit 94 inches for another runner-up spot. He skips harder events on his knees to stay fresh after years of training. What draws him most is the Thai community and positivity you do not find elsewhere, plus how it keeps native traditions alive. Half the time it is not even about beating others. It is about pride in his roots. His dad, who passed in 2021, taught him to give 100% or not bother, fueling his drive

1:05even without his father at other. Sports. Earlier this year at the Arctic Winter Games in Whitehorse, Yukon, Heflin-1 Gold in multiple high kicks and tied world records for under 17s. He cherishes trading gear with athletes from Greenland and learning other indigenous ways. Now he coaches kids, leads his school's native student leadership council, and shares in Y.O. demos worldwide. These games build more than champs that grow culture keepers like Heflin, proving real strength comes from heart and heritage. I'm Corey with The Story, and you've been listening to Anchorage News today, AI-powered