Cole Abou-Tibbett is deeply grateful to his supporters for helping him fulfill a lifelong dream last month.

Despite dropping his only bout at the International Taekwon-Do Federation’s world championships, the Watson Lake native said the experience was outstanding.

Abou-Tibbett was in Jesolo, Italy, for 11 days last month, fighting his lone bout on May 27.

Facing a tough German opponent, Abou-Tibbett lost 1-4, 4-0.

“I didn’t lose by much,” he told the Star. “It was a great experience for me. It shows me there are wins and losses, but not every loss is a true loss.

“Even though it was a loss, it wasn’t totally a loss for me. I brought back memories and even bigger devotion to do better at the sport I love.”

Abou-Tibbett reached out to Yukoners for funding in April. With the help of a variety of Yukon and B.C. backers, he raised more than $6,500 to attend the world championships, as well as two training camps.

“I’d really like to thank my supporters and sponsors,” he said. “That gave me even more motivation to try and do my best.”

He qualified for worlds by earning gold in the junior male under-62 kilogram category at nationals last November.

Abou-Tibbett is a member of the Kaska Dene First Nation.

After touring Venice, Italy, he said he’d take summers on his grandfather’s trap line any day.

Abou-Tibbett recently graduated from Cedars Christian School in Prince George, B.C.

He hopes to return to the city to attend college in the fall.