MOANALUA — A cook at the Panda Express fast-food restaurant in the Moanalua Shopping Center will be representing the Marshall Islands team at the 2008 Summer Olympic games in Beijing.

Anju Jason will compete in the men's taekwondo event.

Born in the Marshall Islands, the 20 year-old Jason has the distinction of being the first Marshallese athlete ever to qualify and compete in the Olympic Games.

"I am extremely proud to have this opportunity to represent the Marshall Islands and the state of Hawai'i in a sport that I love so much, on such a major level," said Jason. "I am grateful for the support of my family, friends, girlfriend and co-workers at Panda Express. I am especially thankful to my friends in taekwondo who have helped me get to this point."

Jason's dream of becoming an Olympic athlete began 11 years ago when he was a fourth-grader at Aliamanu Elementary School. Since then, Jason has earned a black belt and consistently medaled in a variety of taekwondo tournaments, according to a news release issued by the Panda Express chain on Jason's behalf.