thedrifter
06-24-07, 08:30 AM
Oceanside hosts fourth annual tae kwon do competition
By: EDWARD SIFUENTES - Staff Writer
OCEANSIDE ---- More than 800 competitors from all over Southern California, and dignitaries from as far as Korea, participated in Saturday's fourth annual U.S.A. Open Elite Tae Kwon Do Championship at the Oceanside Pier Amphitheater.
The competition, which included athletes as young as 5 years old, has become one of the premier events for the sport, organizers said. Parents and friends of the participants filled the amphitheater with cheer and encouragement.
"Everybody likes it because it's on the beach," said Jackie Wu, a tae kwon do instructor. "It's a good environment, and it's a good quality tournament. That's important for a lot of people."
Hwang Ki Baik, president of the USA Tae Kwon Do Group, an Oceanside-based network of studios that teach the martial art and one of main organizers of the tournament, said the competition teaches kids discipline, respect for elders and gives them a sense of accomplishment.
Some of his students said the event is just plain fun.
"It's a good source of fun and a place to see all my friends," said Tyler Tunnell, 12, of Oceanside.
Tyler qualified for the Junior Olympics competition in San Jose next month and hopes to make the U.S. Olympic team, said his father, Steve Tunnell.
The daylong event started with a form competition, in which participants display their talents in a series of intricate moves in front of judges.
Master Jin Kwon, of Newport Beach, said tae kwon do teaches students the importance of balance in mind, body and spirit.
Tae kwon do is a martial art and combat sport that originated in Korea centuries ago, Kwon said. It's been known by many names over time but the name, tae kwon do, emerged in the 1950s. Its popularity has been growing ever since to become one of the most widely practiced martial arts, he said.
After the form competition, organizers held an opening ceremony, which included a brief speech from Supreme Grand Master Nam Tae Hie, one of the pioneers of tae kwon do in the United States. It was followed by demonstrations and match competitions.
Bob Kern, an Escondido real estate agent, said martial arts have helped him stay in shape. The 74-year-old said he trained troops in hand-to-hand combat during the Korean War. He started practicing tae kwon do in the mid-1980s and is still learning, he said.
"The training never stops," Kern said.
Contact staff writer Edward Sifuentes at (760) 740-3511 or esifuentes@nctimes.com. Comment at nctimes.com.
Ellie
By: EDWARD SIFUENTES - Staff Writer
OCEANSIDE ---- More than 800 competitors from all over Southern California, and dignitaries from as far as Korea, participated in Saturday's fourth annual U.S.A. Open Elite Tae Kwon Do Championship at the Oceanside Pier Amphitheater.
The competition, which included athletes as young as 5 years old, has become one of the premier events for the sport, organizers said. Parents and friends of the participants filled the amphitheater with cheer and encouragement.
"Everybody likes it because it's on the beach," said Jackie Wu, a tae kwon do instructor. "It's a good environment, and it's a good quality tournament. That's important for a lot of people."
Hwang Ki Baik, president of the USA Tae Kwon Do Group, an Oceanside-based network of studios that teach the martial art and one of main organizers of the tournament, said the competition teaches kids discipline, respect for elders and gives them a sense of accomplishment.
Some of his students said the event is just plain fun.
"It's a good source of fun and a place to see all my friends," said Tyler Tunnell, 12, of Oceanside.
Tyler qualified for the Junior Olympics competition in San Jose next month and hopes to make the U.S. Olympic team, said his father, Steve Tunnell.
The daylong event started with a form competition, in which participants display their talents in a series of intricate moves in front of judges.
Master Jin Kwon, of Newport Beach, said tae kwon do teaches students the importance of balance in mind, body and spirit.
Tae kwon do is a martial art and combat sport that originated in Korea centuries ago, Kwon said. It's been known by many names over time but the name, tae kwon do, emerged in the 1950s. Its popularity has been growing ever since to become one of the most widely practiced martial arts, he said.
After the form competition, organizers held an opening ceremony, which included a brief speech from Supreme Grand Master Nam Tae Hie, one of the pioneers of tae kwon do in the United States. It was followed by demonstrations and match competitions.
Bob Kern, an Escondido real estate agent, said martial arts have helped him stay in shape. The 74-year-old said he trained troops in hand-to-hand combat during the Korean War. He started practicing tae kwon do in the mid-1980s and is still learning, he said.
"The training never stops," Kern said.
Contact staff writer Edward Sifuentes at (760) 740-3511 or esifuentes@nctimes.com. Comment at nctimes.com.
Ellie