(NEXSTAR) – C.J. Nickolas is gearing up to represent the U.S. in taekwondo at the 2024 Paris Olympic games. The 22-year-old from Brentwood, California earned his black belt when he was just 7 years old. “It was always taekwondo,” Nickolas said. “In middle school I ran track for like 6 or 7 years, but it always ended up going back to taekwondo.” Nickolas was the first U.S. taekwondo athlete to qualify for Paris. Taekwondo is not his only passion though. Off the mat, he has an affinity for music and has even recorded some of his own songs. “I’m figuring out my sound right now,” Nickolas said. “But I have a solid 15 tracks.” Nickolas also enjoys documenting his journey to the Olympics on YouTube. “I wanted something to be able to look back on because I only get to live this experience once as a professional athlete going to the Olympics,” Nickolas said. Nickolas is the current Pan American Games Champion and world runner-up. His goals include winning an Olympic gold medal and becoming an award-winning artist.