The scars on Adler Volmar's knees are more than just targets for his opponents on the judo mat. They have become symbols of the adversities he has overcome.

He qualified for the U.S. Olympic judo team in June, just five months after reconstructive surgery on his left knee for what he called a "horrendous injury.''

But compared to a tumultuous upbringing in Haiti, an odyssey through the ranks of the United States military, raising a family and the death of his mother, torn knee ligaments are a relative snap.

Volmar, 31, of Coral Springs, went to the limit to make the team. He lost a preliminary match in the Olympic trials, but because he was ranked No. 1 entering the tournament, he advanced to a best-of-three final against the judoka who beat him, Brian Picklo. They split the first two matches, and the final match went to a Golden Score set, the judo equivalent of sudden-death overtime.

In that match, Volmar escaped a possible ippon (one-armed shoulder throw) and landed atop Picklo. The officials disagreed on who won. It took a video review for the referees to grant Volmar the victory.

But as rigorous as Las Vegas was for Volmar, at least there was only one Picklo.

A MOTHER'S GIFTS

Volmar got involved in judo at the relatively advanced age of 13 while living in Haiti. As a Cap-Haitien schoolboy on his way home, Volmar was attacked by a group of boys who beat him with ''knives, nunchuks, all that stuff.'' When Volmar returned home, he avoided his mother instead of giving her the customary kiss. Yolette immediately knew something was wrong.

'She saw that I had a big cut on my head and she said, `That's it. You're going to learn how to defend yourself,' '' said Volmar, pointing to another scar, this one on his temple, which was the genesis of his career in judo.

Two years later, Volmar had achieved the level of black belt and was well on his way to being the top-ranked Haitian judoka. He was regarded as a virtuoso in Haiti, where judo is the second-most popular sport behind soccer. By age 15, most of those boys who jumped him were training under him.

''The more you get power, the more you become responsible,'' said Volmar, who bore no grudges.

Judo wasn't the only gift Yolette gave her son. She visited family in Miami when she was pregnant and had an unexpected Caesarean section, giving Adler dual citizenship -- and, down the road, a chance to represent both of his countries.

In 1996, 19-year old Volmar made the trip from Haiti to compete in the Atlanta Olympics. He did not medal.

''Back then I was very young, very aggressive,'' said Volmar, whose solid footwork and full-body strength make it nearly impossible to take him to the mat. ``Now I understand my competition better. I know myself.''

That self-knowledge came partially through not only judo but also the military.

His father was a member of the Haitian Army and was once the driver of President Francois ''Papa Doc'' Duvalier, which made an impression on him.

Then, after he moved to the United States in 1999, Volmar got his selective service notification in the mail. Mistaking it for a draft notice, he went to his local U.S. Navy recruiting station. Recruiters played on cultural confusion, and he enlisted.

''I was under the impression that I had to join,'' Volmar said. ``Yes, they did that, but I hesitate to say it [was a bad thing] because it turned out to be such a good experience for me.''

In the Navy, Volmar became a combat medic -- though he was fortunate enough not to see combat -- who also trained personnel in hand-to-hand combat and self-defense. He earned the Navy's coveted ''Superdoc'' award, a title given to a medic who best balances his medical expertise with physical fitness.

''I always knew I could do anything, be anything,'' Volmar said, ``and [the Superdoc award] proved it to me.''

PHYSICAL SETBACKS

His military obligation prevented him from qualifying for the 2000 and 2004 Olympics, when he was 23 and 27, respectively. After age 30, judokas tend to be on the downside of their competitive careers. The odds are further lowered when the judoka has had major reconstructive surgery on both knees.

In 2002, Volmar had the posterior cruciate ligament of his right knee reconstructed. Then, this January, he threw heavyweight teammate (and former Northwestern Bull defensive tackle) Anthony Turner and felt something go wrong.

''But the real mistake was later on,'' Volmar said. ``I kept going.''

Volmar, dedicated to making the Olympics, continued to practice despite discomfort. As a result, he eventually tore the anterior cruciate ligament, lateral collateral ligament and meniscus in his left knee. The injury nearly derailed his dreams.

''I think mentally, he's ready,'' said USA Judo coach Jhonny Prado, who trains Volmar in his humble store-front location in Coral Springs. ``But physically, it's incredible that he's even fighting.''

Prado tempers his optimism with reality. ``You have to understand how good his competition will be. It's an uphill battle for him now. It will be a tough fight.''

Finances make the fight tougher. Volmar was sidelined for five months, and without competition he couldn't get the the results USA Judo uses to determine funding. Plus, his personal training business was on hold as he rehabbed. And every penny counts for a young father with a wife and three children.

HUMBLE GOALS

In recent weeks, residents of Coral Springs have stepped in to help.

''We just went out and found as many businesses and people as possible who were willing to give anything,'' said retired Broward County school teacher Jane DeAngelo, one of Volmar's clients. A small raffle turned into a catered, 200-person party last Saturday. Restaurants donated gift certificates for auction, with all proceeds going to Volmar's trip.

A friend and web designer has helped maintain adlervolmar.com, where visitors can help out. Clients and friends have donated frequent flier miles.

''We could have done more, but [Volmar] is so proud and so humble that he didn't even let us know he needed help at first,'' DeAngelo said. 'I asked him why he didn't let us know earlier, and he told me, `You know, as a black man, it's sometimes harder to ask for help.' ''

So DeAngelo decided to ask for him. Her door-to-door campaign led to the front porch of the president of the Coral Springs' Chamber of Commerce, who sent out an e-mail that yielded results.

''Everyone from the mayor to stores to regular people have been helpful,'' Volmar said. ``It has been hard, finding time to rehab and concentrate.''

The death of Volmar's mother in 2006 also weighs heavily. While talking about it, his eyes still moisten, and his voice still cracks. He remembers the day she told him he would learn to defend himself, how she helped with his training, made him a makeshift gym in the family's backyard. He says she was the first to make him the well-rounded person he is today.

''This is going to be for her,'' Volmar said. ``I'm doing this for her and for my family, everyone that has believed in me. And let me tell you, I'm going to do it.''