Seven students from the King Yen Taekwondo School have passed their first quarterly 2018 belt grading exams in the gymnasium of the Helmich Snijiders Hillside Christian School in Middle Region.
“The candidates had the opportunity to show the different techniques the examining board requested them to perform, on an individual basis,” said Grandmaster Theo Liu. “The students were tested for gymnastics and flexibility, basic techniques and patterns while the higher belts were also tested on free sparring and break-tests with either hand- or foot technique.”
The grandmaster said he is very proud of the children having to overcome adversity at home, at school and even at Taekwondo training session.
He explained training use to take place at two different schools including the gym in Middle region. However, that was damage due to Irma and has not reopened. The school now trains in St. Peters despite there are no lights in the building and the roof leaks.
White Belt - One Yellow Stripe
Earning a promotion to White Belt with One Yellow Stripe are Heide Tariq and James Shailen.
Green Belt
Christian Owen and Holiday Myles both earned the right to wear a Green Belt.
Adding a Blue Strip to their green Belt will be Aventurin Xavier and Gadishaw Mahaila.
Red Belt
Joel Louisa Eldert passed the examination for Red Belt.
“These exams are in accordance with the examination rules and regulations of the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) and the Kukkiwon under the auspices of the St. Maarten Taekwondo Federation,” said Liu.
"Each time students graduate from one level to the next, it is a positive development for the Taekwondo sport on St. Maarten.
Grand Master Liu was assisted by his St. Maarten grown black belt holders Master Paul Djasmin, Lee – Ann Liu and Ivyanne Louisa.
