Twelve athletes from the King Yen Taekwondo School under the leadership of Grand Master Theo Liu are headed to Puerto Rico.
The group, ranging in age from six to 19, will participate in the 25th Puerto Rico International Taekwondo Open Championship March 18.
Making the trip are Ivyanne Louisa, 17; Joel Louisa, 12; Charlene Haripersaud, 9; Rique-Lee Rosalia – Liu, 6; Lee-Ann Liu, 19; Mahaila Artiles Gadishaw, 10; Reomar Jeffers, 7; Geisha-Lee Rosalia – Liu, 10; Jaak Mo, 11; Myles Holiday, 8; Kimberly Sabajo, 8 and Leomar Dolphin. 9.
The athletes will compete in both sparing and forms display.
The group will be supported by three team officals and seven parents.
“This is a special solidarity sport event,” said Grandmaster Liu. “Many of the islands were hit by the recent historical storms. We want to boost back the Taekwondo sports again and especially help Puerto Rico who were hit very hard by the hurricane Maria.”
Countries invited to compete are Aruba, Barbados, Curacao, Jamaica, Dominican Republic, Martinique, Mexico, St. Croix, St. Thomas, St. Maarten, Surinam, USA, US Virgin Islands, Venezuela and host Puerto Rico.
“Our excellent international tournament accomplishments in the past years have earned another invitation for the St. Maarten team,” said the Grandmaster.
He continued, “We want to give our St. Maarten student-athletes the great opportunity to acquire international experience in a one of kind event where only the best athletes meet.”
As the grandmaster always includes first timers in every selection, “Liu leaves nothing to chance. He has his athletes practice everything from sparing to the march of athletes into the hall and even the playing of the National song.
“The St. Maarten flag will fly as usual in the stadium next to those of the big countries,” said Liu.
The competition features Olympic Style rules and electronic scoring with the athletes wearing head, chest and foot protection with scoring sensors.
