Day 3 – World Championship Main Tournament Begins
So today is Day 3 of competition and while many do not realize the Songahm Taekwondo World Championship Tournament is split – into the Top 10 Tournament (top 10 of the World), and the Main Tournament (which is the first tournament of the year).? Today is the first day of the Main Tournament!? Today will cover the XMA, Creative Weapons, and Boys / Girls Black Belt traditional Forms, Sparring and Weapons, as well as Adult Black Belt Weapons.? We were informed today that Nearly 29 thousand people are in attendance this year, competitors, spectators, etc.
The morning started off for Ms. Sibley with the reading of “BAEOH” by Taekwon Lee. He had the kids sit with him while he read and explained the book, and even had Ms. Sibley answer questions about the book. If you are a instructor or parent of a Tiny Tiger or young Junior, I would strongly suggest getting this highly inspirational book for them to read!
Ms. Hardy met with Senior Master Anderson, whom is an inspiration to her. Senior Master Richard Anderson, is the highest ranking African American out of almost 400,000 members of the ATA, WTTU, and STF organizations.
Ms Hardy and Senior Master Anderson
Our team from Valdosta was all over the tournament!? Ms. Adkins had a very busy day first in the new Creative Weapons, then over to the Black Belt Girls Traditional Forms, Sparring, and finishing her day off with Traditional Weapons.
Mr. Adkins in Black Belt Boys Traditional Forms and Sparring.? Ms. Matthews in traditional forms, sparring and weapons.? Both did very well on their individual performances.
Mr. Matthews took a 2nd place in the Mens 40-49 1st Degree Weapons – Great Job!
Ms. Hardy, Mrs. Powell, Ms. Mathews all competed in weapons making strong showings but not placing in the top 3.? While Mr. Spivey took a 3rd place in Weapons in the Boys 11-13 1st degree Black Belt division!? While Ms. Johnson took 2nd in Sparring, Girls 2nd Degree Black Belt Division!? Her 11:30 minute video shows her in 3 awesome Matches, her determination shines through, showing why she is now ranked #3 in the World in Sparring from her top 10 matches the day before.
Watch ATA Worlds Tournament – B Johnson 2nd place Sparring in Sports
Little T. Sibley, Valdosta’s youngest competitor also competed today and did a great job, while having so much fun!
She received a competitors trophy for Forms and one-step Sparring, then unfortunately lost a 3rd place tie breaker in weapons, but she was so happy with another competitors trophy, as well meeting people like Mike Chat from the XMA, Chairwoman Mrs. Lee, the stars from Kaymen Riders, and even the Grand Master himself! She just thinks Worlds was awesome and can not wait till her next competition. I think she found out what Worlds was really all about FUN and a GREAT TIME.
After the long day Mr. Church and his son, along with Mr. Matthews and Mr. Sibley enjoyed a evening of Mixed Martial Arts, sponsored by the ATA, and Arkansas X-Treme Challenge at the Riverfront Amphitheater.? With 5 amateur MMA bouts and 7 pro-fights including a historic first professional female mixed martial bout in the state of Arkansas.
