Intense training, hard work, and perseverance prevailed for five Branford students who are headed to Chicago, Ill to compete in the Taekwondo National Championships July 3-8, 2013. Sophia Campbell, 12 (WIS), Caroline Fowler, 15 (BHS), Luke Grasso, 6 (JBS), Ethan Piazza, 8 (MTM) , and AJ Robinson, 10 (JBS), who train at World Champion Taekwondo, qualified for the Nationals by medaling in Poomsae (form), board breaking, and sparring at the Connecticut State Taekwondo Championships. Their World Champion
Taekwondo (WCT) team spot was earned based on their board breaking audition, teacher recommendation, report card, and leadership roles.
A Korean martial art, Taekwondo loosely means ‘the way of the hand and foot’ with a focus on kicking self-defense, blocking, speed, agility, and mental concentration. Master Kyeong Soeb Han, of Branford World Champion Taekwondo, not only teaches authentic Taekwondo skills but incorporates his guiding principles of courtesy, respect, integrity, self-control, perseverance, and determination or CRISP DETERMINATION. Young competitor Ethan Piazza describes his training as ‘it all begins and ends with respect’ as Master Han teaches us.
The path to Chicago now means hours of extra training in addition to their regular classes each week to practice every move until it is perfect and perfectly timed. Developing board breaking routines that will wow the judges with power breaks, spinning kicks, and breaking multiple boards in mid-air requires power, strength, agility, and even a bit of theatricality. It is intense work for these students but this veteran team is up for the task as they embrace competition new-comer Luke Grasso, the team’s youngest member. According to AJ Robinson, “I’m so happy to have another chance to go to Nationals again. We are a team- more than anything we are a team.”
The team’s camaraderie and respect for one another is obvious in and out of Taekwondo. Recently, junior assistant Caroline Fowler was spotted upside-down on a twisty slide in a rousing game of Spies with the younger teammates. While there was plenty of Taekwondo talent, apparently Hachi, the dog, captured Fowler! (Update – Caroline was recently diagnosed with a fracture in her lower back ending her National hopes for this year but she will join the team as coach and supporter. Look for her to come back next year.)
The team spirit extends to the entire World Champion Taekwondo family who encourages and supports this team both in their sport and their fundraising efforts to cover some of the considerable costs of training, travel, and coaching. Salsa Zumba by StudioOne Dance, WCT car magnets, pancake breakfasts are just some of the fundraising activities underway in addition to seeking business sponsorships. Stop by Branford World Champion Taekwondo for event details or visit our team site at www.branfordtaekwondoteam.com.
