ECTC Announces Third Tournament Date

The third ECTC tournament will be held on either November 21st, or 22nd. The location and host is still to be determined.

For more information, visit the ECTC Website.

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2010 Collegiate Nationals

The 2010 Collegiate Nationals will be held on April 16th-17th in Denver, Colorado. Master Bill Pottle will be hosting the event at the Metropolitan State College. For more information, visit the NCTA Website.







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ECTC Events Announced

The Eastern Collegiate Taekwondo Conference has announced its first two tournaments of the 2009-2010 season. The first tournament will be hosted by MIT on October 18th, and the second tournament is scheduled to be hosted by Cornell on November 7th.

The 2008-2009 ECTC standings were:

Division 1:
1) MIT - 2601
2) Cornell - 2382

Division 2:
1) UAlbany - 516
2) Tufts - 417
3) UPenn -348
4) Harvard - 133
5) NYU - 101

Division 2:
1) West Point - 399
2) Princeton - 375
3) RPI - 165
4) LeHigh - 130
5) Columbia - 90
6) Cortland - 83
7) Brown - 39
8) U. Michigan - 35
9) Yale - 21
10) SUNY Purchase - 16
11) U. Mass Amherst - 10
12) U. Conn - 8
12) jJohn Hopkins - 8
14) Oneonta - 0
14) Buffalo - 0
14) Syracuse - 0
14) Lafayette - 0
14) Duke - 0

For more information check the ECTC Website.




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Korea Open Results

With The Korea Open competition ending, the U.S. emerged with 6 medals over all. The U.S. athletes that brought home the medals are as follows:

Gold:
Jayson Grant

Silver:
Johnny Nguyen
Paul Fitzsimmons

Bronze:
Maia Eubanks
Steven Lin
Mayra Grimaldo






USAT Article

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U-24 and Junior National Team Selected

The U-24 and Junior National Teams were selected as the competion closed yesterday. The u-24 Team is as follows:

Womens:
Kelsey Kitagawa (Fin)
Kelly Chu (Fly)
Aziza Chambers (Bantam)
Jacquelyn Lauricella (Feather)
Jennifer Daye (Light)
Paige McPherson (Welter)
Ally Creel (Middle)
Amanda Nissen (Heavy)

Mens:
Jarred McKee (Fin)
Jayme Cajimat (Fly)
Jermaine James (Bantam)
Terrence Jennings (Feather)
Trevor Neville (Light)
Luke Ford (Welter)
Salar Faiazi (Middle)
Stephen Lambdin (Heavy)

The Junior National Team is made up of:

Male:
Gregory English (Fin)
Emmanuel Fountain (Fly)
Olie Burton (Bantam)
Seth Wolfe (Feather)
Matthew Kim (Light)
Christian Medina (Welter)
Jaysen Ishida (Light)
Wardell Samotshozo (Middle)
Ernest Samotshozo (Lt. Heavy)
Tyler Phippen (Heavy)

Female:
Giuliana Gil (Fin)
Haley Kong (Fly)
Taylor Brennan (Bantam)
Shelby Olson (Feather)
Sana Jafarzadeh (Light)
Alexis Martinez (Welter)
Nicole Palma (Lt. Middle)
Alexandra Cinque (Middle)
Kayla Caracciolo-Clayton (Lt. Heavy)
Adrienne Ivey (Heavy)

For the complete results of the Junior National Team event, click here.










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Korea Open Action

The Korea Open is well under way in Incheon Korea. The standings so far with the games closing August 22nd are as follows:

Jayson Grant (Middle) placed first in his division to receive a gold medal.

Steven Lin (Feather) will be competing today in a Semi-Final match.

Sven Lorrimer (Bantam) reached the quarterfinals losing to his opponent from Italy.

Natalie Aguilar (Bantam) lost her second match.

Sabrina Salim (Feather) lost her first match to Italy.

Johnny Nguyen (Fin) took second place.

Mayro Grimaldo (Fly) lost to Russia in the semi-finals to win a bronze medal.

Alan Ho (Fly) lost to South Africa in the quarter finals.

The U.S. is having a strong showing thus far. Congrats to everyone and good luck to those still waiting to compete.

For more info on some match details, visit the USAT website.




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Taekwondo Will Be a 2012 & 2016 Olympic Sport

It is safe to say the Taekwondo community has been feeling the heat as to whether Taekwondo will continue to be an Olympic Sport. Since Taekwondo is not really considered a "mainstream" sport (by people outside the TKD community), and recent incidents of unsportsman like conduct in the 2008 Olympic Games, it seemed like Taekwondo may be on its way out of the Olympics.

WTF President Chungwon Choue announced today that Taekwondo is safe for the next 7 years. The International Olympic Commitee stated that the 26 "core" Olympic Sports (which includes Taekwondo), will be in the 2012 Olympic Games, and 2016 Olympic Games, with the possible inclusion of Golf and Rugby. This list will be finalized and approved this October, however President Choue assures us that Taekwondo "is officially on the Olympic Programme for both London 2012 AND the 2016 Games."

President Choue's Announcement

IOC Announcement

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U-24 and Junior National Team Trials Schedule Announced

USAT has released the schedule for matches in the U-24 Team Trials and the Junior National Team Trials. The U-24 event will be held August 21st, with Junior National Team Trials to follow on August 22nd, and 23rd. Both events are held in Colorado Springs Colorado. For full match details see below.

August 21st Match Schedule

August 22nd Match Schedule

August 23rd Match Schedule

USAT Article

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World Poomsae Championships Outlined by WTF

WTF President Chungwon Choue released today the outline of this years World Poomsae Championships. This years event will be held in Cairo, Egypt from October 31st through December 2nd.

The outline posted includes information about the event including the schedule, rules, application, and more.

To view President Choue's letter, and tournament packet, click here.

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Olympic Values Through Taekwondo

World Taekwondo Federation President, Chungwon Choue recently gave a lecture at the first ever World Taekwondo Youth camp in Korea. Choue's lecture was focused on Olympic values of respectful competition and fairplay. Both of these values essential for the continuation of Taekwondo as an Olympic sport.

Choue stated that, "No matter whether you win or lose, you should be able to embrace your opponent." This is one of the things that sets Taekwondo appart. After winning or losing any match, by point gap, sudden death, knockout, or any other way, you get to shake your opponents hand, and respect them (for the most part).

For a more detailed look at Choue's lecture visit the WTF Website.

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TKD at Sea

USAT to host TKD at Sea Open Cruise Ship Tournament again this year. TKD at Sea is an open tournament event held, well at sea. Partipants go on a 4 day cruise to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico and also compete in a double elimination competition.

The cruise departs on Thursday October 29th when participants board, weigh in, and set sail. Friday offers workshops and fun events. Saturday October 31st is the competition day plus Halloween party. Sunday is another day of workshops and fun, with the trip ending monday morning.

With prices starting as low as $235 (plus tax) per person, this sounds like a perfect vacation. No vacation is complete without a little Taekwondo!

TKD at Sea Website.








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Contact Us

Questions, comments, suggestions? Feel free to send us an email at tkdinsidernews@gmail.com.

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Sherman Nelson Jr. Please Report To Holding

TKDI interviewed Sherman Nelson Jr., a former National Team Member turned world class coach, coaching top athletes, and has also been honored by the US Olympic Commitee as the 2007 Volunteer Coach of The Year.


Name: Sherman M. Nelson Jr.
Birthday: October 23, 1965

(Taekwondo Insider News): Tell us the story of how you first got into Taekwondo?

(Sherman Nelson Jr.): I was at Howard University one day and saw the TKD Club running down the street. I followed them back to the gym (which was being repaired) and watched them train outside. I inquired and found out that I could join the club and take the PE course too. Ah, the rest is history.

(TKDI): What was Taekwondo competition like for you?

(SN): Competition was my natural habitat. I wasn’t overly athletic growing up, but very competitive. I hated training, I just wanted to fight. I learned that the harder I trained, the better competition would go so, I gave it my all. I have no regrets. (except never being able to beat my brother Peter Bardatsos, just once)

(TKDI): Did you have any pre-competition warm-ups, routines, or superstitions?

(SN): I didn’t eat breakfast the morning of competition because of the pterodactyls that were in my stomach. Once the competition started, they went away and I was fine, but the morning before, I was oppressed internally.

(TKDI): What was the most memorable moment of your Taekwondo competition career?

(SN): Making the National team in 99. Team trials was difficult, I had three matches with Stewart Gill in a row, with no real rest. Back then we fought 3 minute rounds and it was at OTC. That day fulfilled a dream that was over 10 years in the making. Then being able to represent my country at the World Championships iced the cake.

(TKDI): What was it like working at the Emery Recreation Center?

(SN): Wow, working for the DC Government is a challenge because of the political nature of our city. I have a heart for people so working in an environment where I constantly get to interact with people was fun. I hated the administrative paperwork blah blah, but I loved the relationships I formed with the kids, the adults, and the seniors. Since I live 2 minutes away, I still get to interact with them quasi-regularly.

(TKDI): What can you tell us about Mission Possible?

(SN): Mission Possible is my consulting company that specializes in personal/group fitness, sports fundamentals, and personal development. I came up with it in 2006 and always wanted to make it my priority but it was hard to walk away from a job that easily paid all my bills. This year, I had enough of working without being fulfilled so I jumped out on faith and threw all my eggs in the Mission Possible basket.

(TKDI): Is it true you are writing a fiction book?

(SN): Ha ha, I am writing a fiction novel. I am an avid reader of all types of books. Not to mention I have a very vivid imagination. The tentative title is Welcome to America, and it asks the question “what would America look like if we had the chance to do it all over again?” My new work schedule is designed to afford me more time to get it done. It has to be done in 2010.

(TKDI): What is the day in the life of Coach Nelson like?

(SN): Oh boy, its interesting. I have a 6am client or boot camp each day of the week. A couple of days I have a 7am client as well. Then it back home to work on compiling data, organizing training plans, and scheduling classes and training sessions. Afternoon training sessions, and then Triple C practice in the evening. This new schedule allows for lots of creativity and freedom.

(TKDI): Tell us about CCC Taekwondo.

(SN): My team is one of the joys of my life. Triple C TKD came out of my desire to develop athletes in a certain way and see if the system would work. It has been moderately successful and I expect even more now that I have more time to focus on them. A lot of people think that the Triple C, which is the Roman numeral for 300, came solely from the movie 300. Actually the first concept of it came from a Biblical story of Gideon found in Judges 7:7. (Which is why I wear 777 on my team jacket)

(TKDI):What was your most memorable coaching moment?

(SN): Probably the most memorable moment was when I received the 2007 USOC Coach of the Year Award at the Olympic Media Event in Chicago last spring. I can’t even begin to express how grateful I was, plus my parents got to be there. I’ve had a lot of memorable in the ring coaching moments, too many to choose from.

(TKDI): Can you share a training tip, secret, exercise or drill with us?

(SN): Train for speed intentionally. You will not get faster by jogging 10 miles or by coasting through drills in training. Sprint, burst, explode!

(TKDI):If you could give one tip to up and coming athletes, what would it be?

(SN): If you love this sport, do it like you love it. Train without being told to, give without being asked to, and fight like you can’t lose.

(TKDI): What do you do for fun outside of Taekwondo?

(SN): Movies, tv, table tennis, basketball, read, go for long walks in the park (haha, that last one is not true). I am becoming quite proficient in Wii golf, so I might take that up professionally.

(TKDI): What was your favorite location you visited to train, coach, or compete at?

(SN): I loved Thailand (World University Games ’07) and who couldn’t love Brazil (Jr. Pan Am Championships ’03)

Shout outs and thank you’s:
(SN): I want to shout out everyone that has helped make me the man I am today. All my seniors, former teammates, coaches and instructors. I also want to shout out all the athletes that have entrusted their lives into my hands by letting me coach and train them. Finally USAT staff and National team coaching staff for giving me a platform to share my gift.

Any other information:
(SN): I’m glad there are so many young people who love Taekwondo. We have to make sure that we make it a sport that generations to come can love like we do.

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Electronic Scoring To Be Used At U-24 Team Trials

USA Taekwondo has announced that the U-24 Team Trails (August 21) and Junior National Team Trials (August 22-23) will both use Lajust Electronic Scoring. This decision was based off of the WTF decision to use the same scoring system at events that Team USA will be competing at.

As for the difference between electronic scoring and electronic hogu's, the key word from USA Athletes is "adapt."

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