9-Year-Old Girl From Oklahoma Wins Multiple Wrestling Championships

Girl's Wrestling is growing in popularity across the country, and some of those up-and-coming names are from right here in Oklahoma.

In the sport of wrestling, every time you get knocked down, you have to get back up.

"Never back down,” Chanlee McKinney said.

This is McKinney’s mantra.

With every cradle, fireman's carry, and pin, McKinney is trying to become the best wrestler she can be, and it starts with practice.

"We run a couple of laps, and then we start by doing some moves on top and bottom,” McKinney said.

She may be nine years old, but she welcomes this challenge.

Her coach, Harlan Britt, is helping her achieve her goals at a national level.

"I have always told her even though she's winning matches, there is someone else out there who is always getting better, so she has to continue to prepare for that person,” Britt said.

The preparation is paying off.

Match after match, tournament after tournament, McKinney has been crowned champion.

Her most recent big win came from the US Junior Open Wrestling Championships last month.

Although she's had a ton of success, she's pinning down her focus. She's got a national one in Tulsa at the end of January.

"She motivates herself, and that's what makes her a good wrestler because as long as you can motivate yourself, you can go out there and motivate yourself during a match,” Britt said.

McKinney knows she'll get pinned again- but those are the moments she learns from the most.