7th Annual Axe Taekwon-Do Tournament :

Master Todd and our school hosted over 60 students from around the country for our 7th Annual Tournament.  The competition was outstanding once again.  Ms. Sarah Navratil from Axe TKD was the Black Belt Grand Champion and Mr. Andrew Phan from Kirksville TKD was the Color Belt Grand Champion.  A complete list of results is included at the end of the news letter.  If your name is spelled incorrectly or you were left off completely, we appologize.

Tournament Pictures: (by Master Todd)

A special thanks to Mr. Jones and Mrs. Chamberlin for providing me with a few pictures from the tournament. If you took pictures and want to have them published either on our Facebook site or website please provide them to me.  I sort through hundereds of digital pictures before posting them.  Taekwon-Do is very fast paced and difficult to capture great pictures.  If I look at a picture and it shows bad technique, its poorly timed, or you just plain look silly, I will not post it.  We have a high standard at Axe TKD for our technique and the same goes for the pictures.  I sincerley thank all students who attended the tourament, our helpers and those that submitted pictures.  Next year I will ensure we are not conflicting with events in Colorado so the schools in Colorado and Wyoming can attend our event.

Promotion Testing:

The next testing is scheduled for Saturday, June 7 at the Youth Center.  Doors open at noon for set up and warming up.  Testing will promptly start at 12:30 and should end by 4pm. We should have a fairly large testing with students testing for various color belt ranks.  We also have several students testing for black belt, including Mr. Buckley for 2nd degree, Mrs. Angelique Jocson, Ms. Samantha Jocson and Ms. Gabrielle Jocson for 1st degree.  Since Mr. Cardoza is moving to Hawaii he will test in late May for 1st degree.  All students who are eligible for promotion will be observed over the next few weeks to determine if they are prepared to test in June.  Remember just because you have met the attendance requirements, does NOT automatically mean you will test.  You must demonstrate your pattern with correct motions and stances, perform kicks and hand techniques with balance and control, and demonstrate your step sparring requirements.  Parents, please note that information can be found in the Study Guide on www.axetkd.com and also there are books for sale on Patterns, Testing and Step Sparring.  The guidelines on our website are only applicable to students that are in 6th grade and below who will take the oral test.  Students in 7th grade through adults will take a written test and require both the USTF Testing Requirements Book and the Patterns Requirements Book in order to be fully prepared.  Please see Mr. Bushor for the books.  Testing forms will be passed out to those who are determined “ready to test”. Don’t wait until the last minute to show you are ready.  EVERY STUDENT NEEDS TO START PREPARING NOW! 

No Classes June 23rd and June 26th:  (By Master Todd)

Several of us will be a the USTF summer camp training in the mountains!  I have a contract with the Youth Center that lists who can teach if I am not in class.  The instructors listed on the contract will be at the camp so there will be no classes.  Enjoy your two days off from class. 

4th Annual Axe TKD Bike Ride:

On Saturday, July 12^th, starting at 10:00 a.m. we will have our 4th Annual Bike Ride.  Un-like previous years, we will start and end at the trail head near Haworth Park off of 370 near the Bellevue Toll Bridge.  We will ride south along the trail about 5 miles to the turnaround point (near Harlan Lewis Road).  There will be drinks, fruit, and some food at the half way/turn around point.  Everyone, to include your family members, is invited to ride along as long as you have a bike that will make the trip (about 5 miles each way).  Master Todd once again volunteered to stay back with the slow group!  It was a great time last year and should be again this year.  We will talk about moving it to a different day if the weather is too bad (rain, temperature, etc.). 

Upcoming Tournaments:

Tournaments are a safe way for students to challenge themselves and utilize what they have learned in class instruction.  A reminder, students who are red belt and above are required to attend at least one per year to be eligible for promotion.  If it is not possible for you to attend, written explanation needs to be given to Master Todd, Mr. Bushor or Ms. Bowing.  

There are three remaining tournaments to participate in this year.  In September, we have two opportunities, one in Casper, Wyoming and one in Kirksville, Missouri.  Finally, we will travel to Broomfield, Colorado for USTF headquarters, Sereff Tournament.  All traveling tournaments are planned in advance to include hotel, food and gas expenses.  In order to keep costs down, we would like to know if you are planning on attending, even if you are a maybe at this point.  Students can travel without their parents and will be supervised at all times.  If you are considering going to a future tournament, it is never too early to let Ms. Bowing now!  She will keep you informed and up to date as we have information to share.  As always, we welcome any questions to help you make a decision.

Protective equipment:

Students must wear certain protective gear during both class sparring drills and tournaments.  Everyone is required to wear head gear, hand gear, foot gear, and a mouth piece.  All male competitors must wear a protective cup.  Shin pads and arm pads are allowed and are encouraged but are not mandatory. Axe has some head, hand and foot gear for students to use as they first join Taekwon-Do, but as students progress, we encourage students to purchase their own.    If you would like to order a set of your own sparring gear (head gear, gloves, and boots), please let Mr. Bushor know as soon as possible.  The cost is $69 for a set of sparring gear.  There is an assortment of colors and sizes.  Mouth guards and protective cups can be purchased at any major sporting goods store or Target and Wal-mart. 

Final Results from 7th Annual Axe Taekwon-Do Tournament

Grand Champion

              Black Belt - Sarah Navratil

              Color Belt - Andrew Phan

Team Patterns

Black Belt

Gold - Throat Punch from AXE TKD

Color Belt

Gold - Titans from Kirksville TKD

Silver - Red Furry from AXE TKD

Bronze - The Voluntolds from AXE TKD

Patterns

Black Belt III - V Dan

Gold - Debbie Ragone

Silver - April Bowing

Bronze - James Bushor

Black Belt I and II Dan

Gold - Sarah Navratil

Silver - Ashleigh Ragone

Bronze - Daniel James

Red Belt and Black Stripes

Gold - Robert Cardoza

Silver - Daniel Cook

Bronze - Staci Chamberlin

Blue Belt and Red Stripes

Gold - Andrew Phan

Silver - Jadyn Turnipseed

Bronze - Stephen Chen

Green Belt and Blue Stripes

Gold - Nick Gravett

Silver - Cody Gaines

Bronze - Zack Seaman

Green Stripes

Gold - Evaine Mansfield

Silver - Mark Stone

Bronze - Brian Long

Yellow Belt

Gold - Nikolee Miller

Silver - Amy Turnipseed

Bronze - Kacee Buckli

White Belt and Yellow Stripes

Gold - Lizzie Wagstaff

Silver - Carlee Swan

Bronze - Ryan Chamberlin

Sparring

Black Belt Men III - VI Dan

Gold - Kevin Bushor

Silver - Sean Toppi

Bronze - James Bushor

Black Belt Men I and II Dan

Gold - Daniel James

Silver - Tyler Araujo

Bronze - Larry Barker

Black Belt Women Adults

Gold - April Bowing

Silver - Sarah Navratil

Bronze - Debbie Ragone

Black Stripe - II Dan Jr. Boys

Gold - Daniel Cook

Silver - Jacob Carter

Bronze - Zack Araujo

Red Stripe, Red Belt, Black Stripe, and II Dan Jr. Girls

Gold - Stacy Chamberlin

Silver - Ashleigh Ragone

Bronze - Gabrielle Jocson

Red Belt and Black Stripe Jr. Boys

Gold - Noah Findling

Silver - Robert Cardoza

Bronze - Sean Ede

Blue Belt thru Red Belt Jr. Girls

Gold - Jadyn Turnipseed

Silver - Lauren Seaman

Bronze - Charmaine Jocson

Blue Stripes Jr. Boys

Gold - Zach Seaman

Silver - Cody Gaines

Green Belt thru Red Stripes Jr. Boys

Gold - Andrew Phan

Silver - Nicholas George

Bronze - Kyle Berry

Green Stripe and Blue Stripe Men

Gold - Nick Gravett

Silver - Mark Stone

Yellow Belt and Green Stripes

Gold - Cameron Baker

Silver - Brian Long

Bronze - Carson Buckli

Yellow Belt and Green Stripes Jr. Girls

Gold - Corrine Orton

Silver - Danielle Edwards

Bronze - Layla McIntyre

Yellow Belt and Green Stripes Adult Women

Gold - Evaine Mansfield

Silver - Lizzie Chamberlin

Bronze - Kacee Buckli

White Belt and Yellow Stripes Peewee Girls

Gold - Kate Wagstaff

Silver - Carlee Swann

Bronze - Lizzie Wagstaff

White Belt and Yellow Stripes Peewee Boys

Gold - Ryan Chamberlin

Silver - Nicholas Wight

Breaking

Black Belt Men 16 and over

Gold - Larry Barker

Silver - Eric Amini-Rod

Bronze - Daniel James

Black Belt Men 11 - 15

Gold - Jacob Carter

Silver - Zack Araujo

Black Belt Women 16 and over

Gold - April Bowing

Silver - Debbie Ragone

Bronze - Sarah Navratil

Black Belt Women 11 - 15

Gold - Ashleigh Ragone

Color Belt Men 16 and over

Gold - Chris Long

Silver - Mark Stone

Bronze - Nick Gravett

Color Belt Men 11 - 15

Gold - Noah Findling

Silver - Zachary Peterson

Color Belt Men 10 and under

Gold - Zach Seaman

Silver - Cody Gaines

Color Belt Women 16 and over

Gold - Evaine Mansfield

Silver - Angelique Jocson

Bronze - Emily Garth

Color Belt Women 11 - 15

Gold - Samantha Jocson

Silver - Stacy Chamberlin

Bronze - Lauren Seaman

Color Belt Women 10 and under

Gold - Charmaine Jocson

Silver - Danielle Edwards