Jung's Tae Kwon Do Tournament

Our school is affiliated with Master Woo Jin Jung's Tae Kwon Do school in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Master Jung is the publisher of TaeKwonDo Times Magazine. His dedication to Tae Kwon Do is an inspiration to all of his students and we were honored to talk with him at the tournament.

It all started on Friday, I took a few hours off of work and our family including my Mother in law and my wife's friend Treva (also a 2nd gup or 2nd Temporary Brown Belt) made the short ride up to Cedar Rapids in the family truckster. It was a lot of fun. We had made arrangements with my instructor Mr. Garrett (4th Dan) and his wife Mrs. Garrett (4th Dan) and our school owner Master Wells (7th Dan) and his wife Master Mrs. Wells (7th Dan), to meet for dinner when we got there.

We met at Olive Garden and had a really good time talking about our hobbies outside of Tae Kwon Do and enjoyed the company of some truly great people.

The tournament was very educational. The first competition was forms. We all did Toi-gye and I, my wife, and youngest son received first place in our respective categories. My oldest daughter received second and youngest daughter placed 3rd with her rendition of Chun-gi.

Next up was breaking. I have been practicing a breaking set that is, for me, pretty challenging. It is upset knife hand strike, turn 180 deg and then reverse punch, then a tornado kick. I did well and earned first place. My wife did a round house breaking and Axe kick through 2 boards, and received first place. Our oldest daughter did palm strike and Axe kick through 2 boards and received 2nd, and our youngest daughter received 3rd place.

Then all of us who received 1st in forms competed for in Grand Champion Forms. It was exciting, however I got tapped out in the first round and my wife in the second. Our youngest son got tapped out in the 2nd in Junior Grand Champion. The Grand Champion went to a lady from Iowa State Tae Kwon Do who was a 3rd or 4th degree. She did really well, and we all send her our congratulations on a great job.

Sparring ensued with an exceptional win by my wife, against great competition. Our oldest daughter earned first in her sparring. Our youngest son won first as well. Tiny Tiger did not spar as there was no Tiny Tiger competition. I lost 3-4 in the first, won 5-2 in the second and 5-1 in the third to get a third place finish. I really felt happy getting 3rd in this tournament, as it was against some of the toughest competition that I have had. Congratulations Mark on getting second and the gentleman from where ever for getting 1st. I wish I could remember your name and I will at least try to get your dojang and put that in here. You were an excellent competitor.

We then watched Black Belt sparring and that was really cool. I know that I speak for my wife and children when I say we can't wait to get there.

After the tournament the competitors were invited to Godfather's Pizza to have some more fun, interact and make new friends. It was a really great experience again this year.