Yorktown, Somers Students Dominate State Taekwondo Championship

From W.S. Jeung's Taekwondo School in Yorktown: 

The New York State Taekwondo Association held their annual Taekwondo State Championship tournament in the Fitzgerald gymnasium at Queens College in Flushing on April 27. 

Taekwondo is a Korean martial art known for its use of striking combinations involving fast and flashy kicks. Students of Taekwondo from all over New York State traveled to the tournament to compete against one another with the hopes of taking home a medal in one or more of the three tournament events.

Westchester had its own representation at the tournament from Yorktown’s very own: W.S. Jeung's Taekwondo School.

Six students from W.S. Jeung’s Taekwondo school competed in divisions of sparring, breaking, and forms. Varying from ages 9-13 years old, these the students included: Dominic Sanfardino, age 10 (Yorktown); Christopher Festo, age 9 (Somers); Heim Kim, age 9 (Lakeland); Mareena Powe, age 13 (Yorktown); Peter Kim, age 10; and his brother Matthew Kim, age 13 (Somers).

First, competitors demonstrated a choreographed routine also known as Forms, where they were judged by their technique, confidence, and presentation.

Mareena dominated the only event she participated in, bringing home a first place Gold Medal. Dominic, Heim, Peter and Matthew also took home Gold Medals, and Christopher won Silver Medal.

Second was Breaking, where competitors break wooden boards with powerful kicks and punches. They are judged on the difficulty and level of the techniques, confidence, and power.

Peter won a Gold Medal, making him undefeated thus far. Dominic, Heim, and Matthew won Silver Medals in a nail biting competition that had me at the edge of me seat. Once again, everyone’s hard work and dedicated training paid off as they proudly took home a medal.

Finally the last event was Sparring, where competitors of the same rank, and weight/height wore protective padding and fought two rounds, scoring points for each kick and punch landed to their opponent’s body protector. In this single elimination tournament, the winner move onto the next round, and only the top three fighters take home gold, silver and bronze medals. This was the most action packed part of the tournament. Some competitors choose not to participate in other events to save their energy for this event.  

However, that was not the case for the Yorktown and Somers students.  

After having competed in two other events prior to Sparring; Dominic, Christopher, Peter, and Matthew all fought with powerful force and energy. These four competitors fought rigorously, and continued to fight till the very end. Their hard work paid off as they all took home 1st Place Gold Medals. This third Gold Medal for Peter made him one of the elite competitors of the day earning him a Grand Champion trophy.

The competitors from W.S. Jeung’s Taekwondo School won 10 first place Gold Medals, four second Place Silver Medals, and one third Place Bronze Medal; 15 Medals in all under the training and guidance of Grand Master Jeung and his staff.