Sports

Local Taekwondo Students Wow Crowds in D.C.

More than 40 students of the United States Taekwondo Martial Arts Academy participated in Cherry Blossom Festival on Sunday

 

Area based martial arts students performed in Washington, D.C., on Sunday to a large crowd, demonstrating forms, board breaking, sparring and kicking techniques.

More than 40 students of the United States Taekwondo Martial Arts Academy, based in Leesburg, participated in the Cultural Performance Stage, as part of the annual National Cherry Blossom Festival.

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Members of the demonstration team, ranging from ages 5 – 28 and hailing from around Loudoun County, dedicated their performance to recovery efforts in Japan, according to a press release.

“We’re proud to represent the Northern Virginia area and be selected as one of the premier academies of traditional Korean taekwondo,” said Master John Choi, the team’s head coach.

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Choi demonstrated a front-snap kick combination, splitting three boards while in mid-air, which can be seen at about 1 minute, 10 seconds into a video posted on YouTube.com.

 His students, including fourth-degree black belt and high school senior Alan Whang, third-degree black belt assistant coach Sean O’Brien, third-degree black belt and college freshman Tony Lo, and third-degree University of Virginia graduate Justin McCarthy also demonstrated their skills.

“It was a real privilege to perform in Washington, DC facing the Monument that was surrounded by cherry blossoms in full bloom,” Choi said. “… Our team couldn’t be more grateful for the support that we’ve received from the Town of Leesburg and Loudoun and Clarke Counties.

The team will return to the Cultural Performance Stage at Sylvan Theater, based in front of the Washington Monument, for a free performance on April 10.  


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