2009 U.S. Open / U.S. National Taekwondo Hanmadang Results

Now that we've had a day to catch our breath, I thought I'd send along the results from last weekend's 1st U.S. Open Taekwondo Hanmadang/ U.S. National Taekwondo Hanmadang in Schaumburg, IL.

• Kopcha family -- bronze, Family poomsae division
• Miranda Kopcha -- gold, individual poomsae
• Jim Kopcha -- gold, individual Poomsae
• Deanna Jones -- silver, individual poomsae
• Master Chuck Beyersdoerfer-- gold, individual poomsae
  -- gold, knifehand breaking
  -- gold, Power side kick breaking
• Master Kim Limes-- gold, individual poomsae
• Master Bobby Jones -- gold, individual poomsae
  bronze, Power side kick breaking
• Bo-Kyung Kirby -- gold, individual poomsae
  NOTE: Chuck Beyersdoerfer and Bobby Jones competed against each other in the Power Side Kick event.

Over all, we had a fun weekend. Saw a lot of new friends from around the country, and our team brought home a medal in every division entered -- not bad for Grandmaster Ahn's first "Hanmadang Team".

Referee Seminar in Chicago

Once again, the USTC hosted another successful event: the Hanmadang Referee seminar. Although the training was "intense" (in the form of a power-packed one-day seminar), it was just as informative as it was fun. We saw many of our colleagues from the Dallas Poomsae seminar, and met a few new friends too.
Our instructor, (our Sahbumnim), Grandmaster Kyongwon AHN, now Honorary President of the USTC, joined us with Master Chuck Beyersdoerfer for a quick picture of the Cincinnati "delegates" to the event.
Now, we have less than two months to prepare for the US Open/ US National Taekwondo Hanmadang in June!

Guests at Priceless Martial Arts May Promotion Test

We just wanted to take a minute to say THANK YOU to Priceless Martial Arts for their hospitality on Saturday (May 2, 2009) and for letting us (and Master Hickey) be a part of your Promotion Exam. We also want to offer a big CONGRATULATIONS to the students who passed their promotion test! It was a pleasure meeting all of you, and watching some great performances by the students. You certainly have achieved great things within yourselves. We look forward to seeing your future progress!
And most importantly, we want to say GOOD JOB to young Luca, the newest (and youngest) Tang Soo Do junior black belt. Good luck in Florida!