|
|||||||||||||
Printer-Friendly
Email this Story
Post a Comment (0)
Magnificient 11
The final syllable of tae kwon do can be translated as "strong mind." Eleven students of the Leesburg-based U.S. Tae Kwon Do Martial Arts Academy used strong minds -- along with the other two syllables, fists and feet -- to garner eight medals at the 17U Junior Olympics held July 1-6 in Detroit.
The school's competition team, the self-dubbed C-Crew, took home three golds and three silvers in producing the school's best medal count since it opened in 1987.
Grand Master Eung Choi, the school's owner and an eighth-degree black belt, trains his charges' focus on a few key tenets.
"Discipline, respect, confidence -- all three things together," he said, citing the words that beam from a school window, next to the slogan “Nothing is impossible.”
Together is how the students of U.S. Tae Kwon Do view themselves, forming "not just a team but a family," according to Sean O'Brien, one of the school's assistants. The sentiment is echoed with apparent consensus by a host of other students, assembled on a recent Friday afternoon for some training.
Master John Choi, the owner's son and the school's only other full-time instructor, likens the atmosphere of U.S. Tae Kwon Do to the comprehensive, rigorous training competitors endure in Korea, the ancient sport's founding country.
"We are training these kids to where they become true competitors, not just at the local level but national and beyond," said Choi the younger, himself a fifth-degree black belt. "To live, breathe and sleep tae kwon do: That's the type of environment we want to create here."
The school prepared for the Junior Olympics with a strong showing at the Virginia championships May 24 in Annandale, during which U.S. Tae Kwon Do students netted more than 50 medals including 39 golds.
"It really is big to me," Grand Master Choi said, momentarily shedding his humility. He gleefully pointed out several students and proudly proclaimed their straight-A status in high school.
Prabesh Basnet, among the academic high achievers, took gold in Detroit, sparring in the Elite Open with flyweight red belts ages 14-17. Now in his second year of competitive tae kwon do, Basnet discussed the role the sport has played in his life.
"It's pretty useful, not only as self-defense but in building discipline and confidence," Basnet remarked, his sentences punctuated with “sir.” "To become a well-rounded person, I decided I should start this."
Second-degree black-belt Katrina McCarthy, in her sixth year of tae kwon do, also won Junior Olympic gold, sparring in the Elite Open as a lightweight in the 14-17 age group.
"It's boosted my confidence," said McCarthy, another straight-A student with a respectful speech pattern. "Listening to Master John and all the effort he's put into everyone, it's really paid off."
The C-Crew, whose initial stands for both “Choi” and “competition,” intends to return to the Junior Olympics next year with more competitors but with the same philosophy of disciplined work and humble respect.
"It's not just a sport," O'Brien said to concurring nods. "It's a lifestyle."
You must be logged in to post a comment.