Two brothers from Land O'Lakes have earned the No. 1 seeds in their weight classes on Team USA's karate roster and will represent the country at international championships later this year.
Michael Molinero, 18, will compete in the under-21 division at the World Cadet, Junior & U21 Karate Championships in Bielsko-Biała, Poland, Oct. 14–18. His younger brother Aaron Molinero, 13, will compete in the under-14 division at the 2026 PKF Cadet & Junior Pan American Karate Championship in San José, Costa Rica, Aug. 27–30.
Both are No. 1 seeds.
The brothers train daily at a home dojo they built together in Land O'Lakes and drive four hours each way every other week to work with their club in Hialeah. Aaron has been training in karate since age 3; their mother worked at the karate studio where the family trained before he was born.
"My club, my dojo is in Hialeah. So, it's four hours away from my house. That's why I have a dojo here in my house, me and my brother. We train every single day, we push each other to make each other better," Michael told FOX 13 in a July 31 interview.
Michael, the youngest competitor in his under-21 group, said in the same interview that earning the roster spot gave him new pride in representing the United States. Aaron, meanwhile, made clear he's not just along for the ride. Speaking to FOX 13 on July 31, the 13-year-old said he isn't there to just wear the flag and that his goal is to win a gold medal for his country.
Self-funded journey
Competitors on the USA Karate national squad receive no government or federation stipend. The Molinero family is covering all training, travel, and tournament fees out of pocket.
"Over time, working extra jobs, whatever it takes, we do," Lisa Molinero, the brothers' mother, told FOX 13 on July 31. "Do we wish that we had funding, you know, other than that? Of course. I mean, you wish that you had that, but just knowing that this is something that is more than just a sport to them, it's worth it."
The family is actively seeking local business sponsorships to help cover costs for both upcoming competitions. Community members or businesses interested in supporting the brothers can contact their father, Michael Molinero Sr., at [email protected] or reach Michael Jr. on Instagram at @mikey_molinero.
What's ahead
Aaron's Pan American Championship in Costa Rica comes first, Aug. 27–30. Michael's World Championships in Poland follow Oct. 14–18, where roughly 2,000 competitors from more than 100 countries are expected. The United States has won 20 total medals all-time at the World Cadet, Junior & U21 Championships, including three golds.
