TKD Unlimited are very active in the Verde Valley and Tournament Competing. It is important that all these students get reconized for their acomplishments.
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Verde Independent
USA Mixed Martial Arts World Championships
On June 24th Tae Kwon Do Unlimited took eight of their top students to the USA Mixed Martial Arts World Championships held in Las Vegas, Nevada. The USA World Championship has created some of the most dynamic tournaments on the West Coast. With over 500 competitors competing, competitors came from all over from Columbia to Hawaii.
Tae Kwon Do Unlimited’s XaolinGruv Demo team competed that Saturday morning. Placing in the top 4 of the competition they were asked to perform again for the Evening Show and & Night finals. This was an extreme honor for them, especially since this was their first international competition as a team. This team has been competing in state tournaments for the last 3 years, and has performed in numerous demos around the Verde Valley. “This was an inspirational opportunity, the team worked extremely hard for this competition and their hard work paid off.” stated Gavin Furrey, Black Belt and Team Leader.
This competition is tougher, demanding a higher level of discipline and dedication. All Students Placing top in their divisions:
Tayvie Jenning- 7yr. old Green Belt
Place in Top 4 of Demo Team Division
Zach SanGiovanni 12yr. old Blue Belt
Weapons/Bo Participant
Place in Top 4 of Demo Team Division
Jon-Marco SanGiovanni 14yr. old Blue Belt
Place in Top 4 of Demo Team Division
Marcus Luna 11yr. old Red Belt
Place in Top 4 of Demo Team Division
Braiden Campbell 13 yr. old Black Belt
Weapons/Kama’s Participant
Place in Top 4 of Demo Team Division
Michael Luna 14yr. old Black Belt
Place in Top 4 of Demo Team Division
Gavin Furrey 15yr. old Black Belt
1st Place Extreme Weapons/Sword
3rd Place Musical Weapons
Place in Top 4 of Demo Team Division
Thekla Hutyrova 18 yr. old Black Belt
1st Place Musical Weapons
1st Extreme Forms
1st Place Weapons
1st Place Open Hand Forms
Gavin & Thekla taking 1st place in their Black Belt division made them eligible for the Runoff elimination competition. This includes all weapon competitors in one division and Open Hand competitors in a different division. Thekla won Weapons and Open hand and made it to the night finals. She took 2nd place in the night finals in both Weapons and Open hand forms.
Gavin Furrey and Thekla Hutyrova travel all over the United States to compete in
the NASKA (North American Sports Karate Association) circuit for the past year and a half. They both will be competing in the US Open in Orlando, FL July 9th.
Head instructor Mr. Caleb Labarda, 3rd degree Black Belt with over 15 years experience in different styles of Martial Arts. In 2003 he placed 5th in forms at the World NASKA tour. “We are proud of our student’s accomplishments not just when they win but everyday. We see them grow and develop from small children to strong, healthy young adults. This is a journey for all of us.” States Mr. Labarda
Not only dose Mr. Labarda bring his own expertise to the school, but also provides enhanced training from other World Class Masters. Mr. Carmichael Simon, 3rd degree Black Belt is a 5-Time International Forms Champion and 3-Time winner of the NASKA Triple Crown Award. Along with Dance Master and 4th degree Black Belt Anthony Gooch brings a unique blend of hip-hop dance and martial arts discipline to the school. Both are role models as successful businessmen in their own lives.
There is a physical aspect of martial arts but it’s foundation of Honesty, Respect, and Friendship. The students excel as community leaders participation in a variety of community functions and maintain good grades at their schools. “TKD Unlimited has a passion for what we do and what we do is make a difference in people’s lives.”
Tae Kwon Do Unlimited is located at 415 S. Main Street right here in Cottonwood (next to JPS Paint Center). Classes are held Monday- Friday for 3:00-7:30pm. Anyone ages 4-Adult who is interested in learning martial arts, or just in having fun getting in shape, can stop by to observe or take class. For more information you can also check them out on their web site at www.tkdarizona.org or call 928.649.1530
Friday, June 18, 2010
Verde Independent
TAE KWON DO COMPETITION
Three young athletes from Cottonwood's Tae Kwon Do Unlimited Martial Arts School distinguished themselves by bringing home 1st place trophies in the VSN II Martial Arts Tournament held in Chandler, AZ on Saturday June 12, 2010.
*Serena Allen, Age: 7, a Little Dragon Blue Belt, placed 1st in the Beginner Open-Hand form Division. This was also
Serena's first time competing in a Martial Arts Tournament. "She was very confident in herself and her Open-Hand Form and it showed", quoted Bradley Meyer.
*Tayvie Jennings, Age: 7, a Green Belt, took 1st in Intermediate Weapon Forms and 2nd in Intermediate Open-Hand Forms. For her Weapon form, Jennings used the sword as her weapon of choice, which is not commonly used by competitors, and was the second time she competed with the sword. Tayvie is also a 2 time State Champion in Open-Hand forms and Sparring.
*Bradley Meyer, Age 15, 1st Degree Brown Belt, took 1st in the Advance Sparring Division. Meyer sparred two other competitors to take the 1st place trophy. Meyer is also a State Champion in Advance Sparring.
TKD Unlimited is known for quality in their students, and it is shown by these three talented athletes. They are taught, that with hard work and determination, they can accomplish anything they set there mind to.
More exciting events at Tae Kwon Do Unlimited include the demo team's upcoming competition in Las Vegas, NV. The U.S.A International Tournament on June 25th-27th. 'I am excited for my first big tournament' says Zach SanGiovanni. This team has been competing in state tournaments for the last 3 years, and has performed in numerous demos around the Verde Valley. They have been practicing and fundraising for the competition for the last month and a half. It will cost each team member about $300 for the weekend. They would like to thank everyone for supporting them in their car wash fundraiser a couple of weeks ago. The team was able to raise over $750 to help them with their registration fees. 'The whole team is Excited and Pumped for next weekend, win or lose, they are all going to do there Best and that is all I ask of them.' says Mr. Caleb Labarda, Head Instructor and Owner of Tae Kwon Do Unlimited. 'They are ready for this and excited to take it to the next level.' All students attending the Las Vegas Tournament will be competing in the Demo Team Division as a group and will also be competing individually.
Team X.G.T consists of Michael Luna (Black Belt) Age 15. Braiden Campbell (Black Belt) Age 14. Gavin Furrey (Black Belt) Age 15. Thekla Hutyrova (Black Belt) Age 18. Marcus Luna (Red Belt) Age 11. Zach SanGiovanni (Blue Belt) Age 12. Jon-Marco SanGiovanni (Blue Belt) Age 14. Tayvie Jennings (Green Belt) Age 7. Head Instructor of Team X.G.T, Mr. Caleb Labarda, 3rd Degree Black Belt. For most of the team this will be their first International Tournament. Gavin Furrey and Thekla Hutyrova began competing on the NASKA (North American Sports Karate Association) circuit for the past year and a half and are excited for both Las Vegas and the US Open in Orlando, FL this July. Thekla will also be attending the Blue Grass Nationals this weekend in Louisville, KY.
Tae Kwon Do Unlimited is located at 415 South Main Street right here in Cottonwood (next to JPS Paint Center). Classes are held Monday- Friday for 3:00-7:30pm. Anyone ages 4-Adult who is interested in learning martial arts, or just in having fun getting in shape, can stop by to observe or take class. For more information you can also check them out on their web site at www.tkdarizona.org or call 928.649.1530
Saturday, October31, 2009
Verde Independent
MARTIAL ARTS: TKD Unlimited dominates Martial Arts Tourney
Five students from Cottonwood's Tae Kwon Do Unlimited competed at the AZ Best of the Best Tournament held in Gilbert on Saturday, Oct. 24.
The five young athletes distinguished themselves by bringing home 12 trophies between them. Black Belt - Gavin Furrey, age 14, won first place in Open Forms, first place in Musical Forms and took Black Belt Jr. Grand Champion winning $75.
Thekla Hutyrova, Black Belt, age 17, also won first place in Weapons Forms, second place in Open Forms, and second place in Musical Forms. This was the first tournament for both Kyleah Zanot, age 12, orange belt, and Isabella Turolla, an orange belt, also age 11.
Zanot competed in Sparring and won first place, and also second place in Bonker Sparring. Turolla won first place in Bonker Sparring. Tayvie Jennings, age 7, Little Dragons red belt, the youngest of the five competitors, won first place in Weapons Forms, first place in Open Forms, and second place in Sparring. When asked what she liked about competing, Jennings answered, "My favorite part of going to tournaments is seeing friends and watching the other competitors. I have to practice every day and keep trying even when I get frustrated, but I like to get first place and I don't like to get fourth place."
All of the competitors made their instructor Mr. Caleb Labarda and families proud, showing the results of all their hard work and determination.
Parents looking for an exciting year-round sports activity for their children are always welcome to try out the program with two free classes.
Tae Kwon Do Unlimited is located in Cottonwood, AZ, at 415 South Main Street, Suite B (next to JPS Paint Center). Visit online at www.tkdarizona.org or call 928-649-1530.