CATO - For 10-year-old Cassidy Green, what started as a simple interest in watching her brother practice karate several years ago, has turned into much more.

From October 21-25, Green will be in Novo Mesto, Slovenia, competing in the World Karate Confederation/USA Junior World Championship.

“I'm really excited,” Green said. “I'm excited about getting to go to Europe and see everything and I'm excited about competing and seeing what that is going to be like with kids from all over the world.”

Green got her start in martial arts almost five years ago when she went with her older brother, Dakota, to watch him take lessons, and from there Green said she was hooked on the sport.

Ever since then, Green has studied at the Karate Dojo in Baldwinsville with sensei Barbara Cruz, already earning her brown belt.

Along the way, Green has had the opportunity to compete in some very prestigious events.

Green has made three consecutive appearances in the Junior Olympics, which has given her the opportunity to travel all over the country and compete as well as bring home several silver and bronze medals.

At this year's nationals in Albany, Green also earned another bronze medal in sparring.

“It feels great,” Green said. “It is really nice to do so well.”

It is her performance at nationals that earned Green the opportunity to go to compete in Europe.

Since hearing the news that she had been selected to go to Europe, Green has been deeply focused on her karate routines.

Green said she has been working extra hard, both at home and in the dojo.

“At home my brother, Dakota, helps me a lot,” Green said. “He helps me with stretching and doing a lot of exercises and 50 foot sprints and things like that.”

With her sensei, Green said she has been focused on her kata, a series of choreographed moves, and kumite, a sparring technique.

“We've been working on those a lot,” Green said.

“We've been really focused on making my kata a little more flashy for the world competition and we've been working on making sure all my kicks and punches are good too.”

And as much as she has been hard at work, Green has also had a little bit of time to sit back and enjoy her accomplishments.

“I've told my friends at school,” Green said.

“They think it is really cool that I get to go to Europe.”

Green said that she will be making the trip with her father, but one thing will be missing, from her usual competition support system.

Green said that Cruz will not be making the trip with her. But at least a part of her sensei will be there to lend good luck and moral support.

“She has to go to Okinawa,” Green said. “She said she'd be there if she could and she is really proud of me. But she is giving me her black belt to take with me and keep with me for good luck.”

Green said that she is excited about the entire trip and hopes to have time to do at least a little bit of sight seeing while she is in Europe, but her focus is focused very intensely on her performance.

“It is going to be different,” Green said.

“There are going to be kids and styles from all over the world. I'm excited to see that and see what the competition is like; it should be a lot of fun. I just hope to go there and do my best and hopefully bring back a medal.”

To help raise funds for the cost of the trip, a fundraiser will be held for Green at TC's on Route 34 in Cato on Sunday, Sept.14, beginning at 2 p.m., admission is $7 for adults and $3.50 for under 12 and includes chicken barbecue