Two Arizona teenagers discover friendship by means of parkour

TEMPE, AZ (InvestigateTV) — Two 14-year-olds say they began parkour for enjoyable and stayed for the group — ending first and third on the 2025 U.S. National Championships within the ladies’s type division.

Parkour is a sport that may be practiced each indoors and outside. The phrase comes from the French time period “parcours,” that means “the way through” or “the path.”

While there isn’t a official estimate of the variety of members worldwide, USA Parkour says there are about 3,000 licensed instructors globally.

‘Point A to point B’

Jayde Palomo described the game’s core idea merely.

“There’s point A and point B. You start at point A and you’re trying to go to point B in the most creative, efficient manner,” Palomo stated.

Parkour competitions characteristic three disciplines: ability, velocity and elegance.

Palomo and June Porter focus on type.

Pushing previous misconceptions

The two say misconceptions in regards to the sport are widespread.

Palomo stated the problem of even primary strikes is usually underestimated.

“They think it’s like less cool because, like, ‘Oh, she just did a flip from that box.’ But if someone who had never done parkour gets up there, like, that’s actually really scary,” Palomo stated.

Porter stated popular culture references have formed how individuals image the game.

“When I say parkour, everyone thinks of the scene from The Office. Like, ‘Oh, you jumped into a cardboard box.’ No, I don’t jump into cardboard boxes,” Porter stated.

Nerves at nationals

Both athletes stated competing on the nationwide degree introduced important stress.

“I was very, very nervous. Like, people think, oh my gosh, she’s so good, she’s probably not even nervous,” Palomo stated.

“But when I did decently well, other people are like, you did so good. But like, I’m just like, I did OK,” Palomo stated.

Building group

The ladies stated being surrounded principally by boys within the sport made their friendship extra significant.

Porter stated she hopes their presence encourages others.

“So it’s kind of just people realizing, ‘Oh, I can go and do that. There’s nothing stopping me.’ So it’s just like being willing to be the only one there for a little bit to invite more people to get to a place where it’s like we’re welcoming for everyone and then you find people like me and Jayde and you become best friends. It’s really fun,” Porter stated.

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