Branford, CT, May 4, 2013: Six students who train at Branford World Champion Taekwondo (WCT) have qualified to represent Connecticut in the 2014 USA Taekwondo National Championships in San Jose, CA July 1-7, 2014 by medaling at the Connecticut State Taekwondo Championships in March 2014. Caroline Fowler, 16 (BHS), Melissa Behler 15, (EHHS), Agasti Mhatre, 14 (JMMS), Andrew Robinson, 11 (WIS), Ethan Piazza 10, (MTM), and Luke Grasso 7, (JBS) earned their spot on the WCT team based on skill, leadership, academics, dedication, and recommendations.
A Korean martial art, Taekwondo loosely means ‘the way of the hand and foot’ with a focus on kicking self-defense, blocking, speed, agility, mental concentration and respect. Master Kyeong Soeb Han, headmaster 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 into the instruction and training of all his students. Master Han tells his students that to be a true martial artist you must always have a ‘black belt attitude’.
Master Kwangjin Ha, headmaster at Fairfield WCT, shared an experience he observed from the 2013 National Championships in Chicago during a presentation for the 2014 team:
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‘During last year’s Nationals competition, one of the judges observed a group of competitors presenting their medals to their master so that he could present them back to his students. The judge was moved to tears by this act of great respect and tradition.’
Young competitor Luke Grasso turned to his teammates and exclaimed, “Hey, that was us!”
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The respect for one another is evident as veteran competitors, Caroline, AJ, Ethan, and Luke, welcome new-comers Melissa Behler and Agasti Mhatre. Their black belt attitudes keep them going during the hours of intense fitness training and practicing each move until it is perfect and perfectly timed.
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, accommodations, and coaching. Zumba by StudioOne Dance, Moe’s Southwest Grill, Eli’s on the Hill pancake breakfast, NuVita’s Frozen Yogurt 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 on Facebook at Taekwondo 2014 Nationals Team – Branford.
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