Novi Siblings Win at National Tae Kwon Do Tournament

Novi's Omar Lahbiki has done it again.

The 13-year-old Hillside Middle School student won national titles in June at a tae kwon do tournament in Tennessee, adding to his winnings from last year.

"He took first place in continuous sparring and point sparring, and second place in form," said his father, Hassan Lahbiki.

In point sparring, a competitor scores points by striking approved target areas on the opponent's body with a punch or kick and the match is "reset" after each point. In continuous sparring, the fight continues for a set time while judges keep track of points and defensive techniques. 

This year his sister also joined him as a high-ranking tae kwon do competitor. Anisa Lahbiki, 9-year-old Amerman Elementary School student, competed for the first time at this national tournament.

"This year she was actually ready for it," her father said. "She competed in three events. She took second place in point sparring and first place in continuos sparring."

The siblings represented Michigan out of 19 other states at the "Taekwon-Do 2013 Pioneers Cup."

Hassan Lahbiki said his son, who is in the advanced level, has been learning martial arts for seven years from programs by Northville Parks and Recreation. His daughter, who is at the intermediate level, has been attending classes for a little over two years, he said.

Doug Bourgoise, of Renaissance Karate, teaches the classes at Hillside Middle School through Northville Parks and Recreation and has been teaching for 34 years, Lahbiki said.

"He suggested for them to go to this tournament," he said.

Omar and Anisa practice every week, often more than once, and it's clear their hard work paid off.