The Hanmadang Tournament, Katy, TX

Today was the third annual Hanmadang Tournament in Katy, TX hosted by Masters Leb Kemp of AKA Taekwondo and David Leider of All-Star Martial Arts. We had seventeen competitors today: 11 team members and 6 non-team members. Five of our competitors had never been in a tournament before. We were so proud of them for competing!

Many of the students competed in traditional forms, board breaking, and creative forms which included weapons patterns. Many of the students did very well. Payton won gold in both traditional and creative forms. Andrew, a yellow belt, won silver in traditional forms beating out a blue belt in the first round! He lost to another blue belt in the second round but, for his first tournament, beating an intermediate belt is fantastic! Way to go Andrew! I am not sure how everyone else did in forms and I don't know how they did in board breaking but I did see some of the breaks. They were rather good in most cases.

The first competitors up for olympic sparring were our 6-7 year olds Caleb, Ben V, Carter, and Ben C. Caleb won his first fight and lost his second to a much larger opponent. Caleb did great this tournament! Ben V., Carter, and Ben C. were first time participants. They were in a ring with other first time competitors. Ben V. won his first fight but lost his second to a much taller competitor who's diagonal kicks were nearly level with Ben V's head! Carter fought and lost to that same competitor that Ben V. lost to but Carter did very well only loosing by three points! Carter was nearly the same height as his competitor so the boy could not easily hit Carter in his head. Ben C. had one competitor whom he beat by about 5 points. Ben listened to his coach and it showed. Way to go Ben C!!

The 8-9 year olds were next: Max, Jon, Jacob, Payton, and Kennedy. Jon fought against a boy he has lost to several times but this time, he handled him much better showing that Jon has improved. Although Jon lost, he now feels that he can beat the other boy in the future if he keeps practicing and training hard. We are proud of you for that attitude, Jon! Max lost to the same boy. Unfortunately the boy outweighed Max by quite a bit which complicated Max's chances for success. Sometimes there simply isn't anyone else to fight at a given tournament so mismatches are not uncommon at small tournaments.

Jacob did amazingly well and won both his fights. Jacob is a smart fighter who is unafraid of any opponent. Today he fought a kid who was nearly a foot taller and when Master De Los Reyes asked him what game he would fight today, Jacob confidently told him "Inside game!" meaning that Jacob would have to get in close to his opponent to score points since there was a real mismatch in their leg length. Jacob was not phased by the mismatch. In fact, he may have relished the challenge!

Kennedy also won both her fights. Kennedy has such a cool head. Nothing seems to worry her. She did what her coach asked her to do and as a result, she won! That is something we ask all of our students: Listen to your coach. He or she will not steer you wrong!

Payton did not have a black belt to fight. She fought a much less experienced brown belt so Payton took it easy on her so as not to scare her too much nor hurt her. Payton won but they fought the full time allotted. Payton could have won much more quickly if she had given it her all I am sure.

We had two 10-11 year old this time. Kyle was in a rather large division of red belts as there were 6 in total. Kyle has a style he likes to use and he has gotten rather good at using that style. Unfortunately for Kyle, the boy he fought was able to counter act Kyle's style and could therefore prevent Kyle from scoring in addition to getting in point of his own. Kyle needs to increase his repertoire of kicks and combinations so that he can win. Essien was a first time competitor. He is an orange belt and has only been one for a short time. He did FANTASTIC!! He gapped out his competitor and seemed to instinctively know what to do. We want Essien to join the team and feel that he will be a great asset to the team if he does.

The 12-13 year olds were up next: Andrew and Kyla. Andrew did very, very well winning his first ever fight. As stated above, this tournament was Andrew's first. Using the few drills that we have been able to teach him in just the few short weeks he has been on the team, he was able to beat his opponent by several points! We think that Andrew will improve rapidly over the next several months and we will be happy to watch that and cheer him on!

Kyla has improved so much in the past year. She opened this fight with a triple off the line. What a way to start, Ky! Although Kyla lost  she fought hard throughout the match, never gave up, and did not fear the other girl. Unfortunately, the girl was at least a head taller and out weighted Kyla by at least 23 pounds. That is a hard difference to make up at this age. Kyla was not discouraged by the loss. We are so proud of Kyla. Her attitude and work ethic are second to none these days!

Kelsey and Nicole both fought in the same division: 14-17 black belts. Although Kelsey is still a half and half belt, because she expects to test for her black belt in the Spring, she is jumping in at the deep end to prepare for Nationals. Kelsey fought a seasoned fighter from another school's competition team. Kelsy was not afraid to fight the other girl and stepped up to the challenge. Unfortunately, fighting black belts is a different ball game. Kelsey has a rather steep learning curve in front of her to catch up. We have complete confidence that Kelsey can do it if she decides that is what she wants.

Nicole won her first fight against a much less prepared opponent. Nicole was able to beat that girl easily and gapped her out in the first round. Her second fight was much more difficult. Nicole fought hard and fought even harder when the score got close hear the end but she was not able to make up the gap in points. Both Kelsey and Nicole need to work on kicking faster.

Will was our last competitor. He fought and beat both his opponents rather easily. Will is looking for the perfect fight. It was not at this tournament. Perhaps in Ft. Worth he will find it...

3rd Annual Mistletoe Run

Once again the team will be participating in the Mistletoe Run in Bridgeland, Cypress, TX. If you register online by October 15, you will pay less for each event.




December 2nd, 2012
 Certifcation: USATF (TX12042ETM)

 Place: Bridgeland (Fry Rd and Hwy 290)                
               16902 Bridgeland Landing
               Cypress, TX 77433

 Packet Pick-up: TBD

 Race Times:
 6:15 am          Registration and Packet Pickup 
 7:00 am          1/2 Marathon
 7:30 am          5K Fun Run
 9:00 am          Kids Fun Run
 9:15 am           Award Ceremony -*approximately

  Honoring: Run Over Cancer is reviewing applications at the moment. Family will be chosen soon. :)

 Entertainment:
 We anticipate Santa Claus and his helpers to make a visit, as well as lots of fun activites for all ages. Fun Activity Area will be opened for enjoyment from 7:30 am-11:00 am. Please come out and support a good cause. We have awesome vendors that support Run Over Cancer to come out and sell products, as well! Weather Pending, of course. 

 Fees: (you will incur fees if you sign up online)
 Through October 15, 2012:
 $30: 5K Run/Walk
 $60:  1/2 Marathon
 $10: Kids Fun Run (approximately 1/2 Mile)

 October 16, 2012 through November 30, 2012 closes online at 8pm: 
 $35: 5K Run/Walk
 $70: 1/2 Marathon
 $15: Kids Fun Run (approximately 1/2 Mile)

 December 1 and December 2, 2012:
 $40: 5K Run/Walk 
 $80: 1/2 Marathon   
 $20: Kids Fun Run (approximately 1/2 Mile)
 

 Requirements:
 You must be at least 12 years old to register for the half marathon race or 5 years old to register for the 5K event. You  must be in good health and physically prepared to take on the challenges of a half marathon or 5K event. You must be  able to complete the Half Marathon course in 3.5 hours, 16:02 min miles.

 Course restrictions: No bikes, dogs, skate boards, scooters or similar objects are allowed on Half Marathon  and/or 5K course. Strollers are allowed, but we please ask that you get out of the way of our fast competitor runners and  you will be required to start in the back of the course. If any of the staff ask you to get in the swag wagon, you will be  required. At no point will any runners be carried to the finish line by any of our staff. If you do not get off the course, we  will require you to take off your racing number and you will then be disqualified and banned from our future events.

 NOTE: The Half Marathon course will be open for 3.5 hours. After 3.5 hours, police will no longer be directing traffic  along the course and you will be asked to get up on sidewalk and/or grass.  The 5K race is open to runners and walkers. 

 RAIN OR SHINE: 
 The race will go on rain or shine. There is NO rain date for the event.  Thunderstorms or other unsafe conditions may  delay the start of the race.  Delays will continue as needed and as practical on race day until facilities and personnel are no  longer available to the event under the contracts agreed to for holding  the event.  At that point the race will be cancelled.

 In cases of inclement weather, natural disaster, acts of God, acts of war or other unforeseen extraordinary  circumstances, directors reserves the right to cancel the event and/or modify the race course for  safety concerns.  
 Under such circumstances, there will be absolutely no refunds or transfer of entries to future ROC
 events. Each athlete must accept any such risk of their entry fee paid.  All monies collected are used to
 develop and produce the event,  including all race supplies. We pledge to make every effort to produce a
 fair, safe and exciting event for all.  

 Transfer and Refund Policy:
 Sorry, no race day registration for the 5K and the half marathon events. If you are unfortunate to run/walk this event,  please email mistletoe@runovercancer.org in order to transfer your bib. There will be no refunds, sorry!  

 Timing: There will be timing available on the 1/2 Marathon and 5K course.
 
 Best Costume Award: Best Costume Winner will be awarded a $25 gift certificate to one of our sponsors and    this award will be mailed to the winner. (TBA)  Come out in your best costume for this wonderful cause!

 Awards:  Every one is a winner in our events, as we are all running over cancer.  Every participant will be  awarded with a medal, except for the Kids Fun Run.  All participants in the Kids Fun Run will be given a ribbon.

 In addition, age group awards in the form of certificates will be handed out immediately following posting of times from    timing company. Every 1st place winner will receive a trophy of some sort, and 2nd and 3rd place winners will receive a  certificate. 

 Age group as follows (F/M):
 5-9, 10-14,15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59   and 60+  

 

 Lodging Information: We are teamed up with a local hotel at  Holiday Inn Express, 12915 FM 1960 W, Houston, TX  77065. (832)237-4300. Mention "Run Over Cancer" to receive your discount. They have free parking, free breakfast, and all rooms are inside. 

 Additional Information: T-shirt included with entry fee for all the events this year, but not guaranteed**.  If you register for the event after Novemeber 15, 2012, you are NOT guaranteed a shirt before the event (your shirt may be ordered and then mailed after the event).  SO REGISTER EARLY!

  PLEASE NOTE: The size you order will be the size you will receive. No exchanging shirts period. Shirts will be Men and     or/ Kids sizes Cotton Shirts, order accordingly. All shirts will be handed out at the finish line of the event. Bridgeland community is generously allowing us to use their community for the Mistletoe Fun Run. They are not affilated with Run Over Cancer and should not be contacted if there are any questions. If you have any questions, please email mistletoe@runovercancer.org and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

 Route: Running through the Beautiful Community of Bridgeland. We thank all the board members, staff, and                residents of Bridgeland community to allow us to use your beautiful area for our event! Map coming soon!

 Benefiting: Run Over Cancer was formed in 2008 and our organization takes cancer and all illnesses in our community  very seriously, as we all have been touched by a disease one way or another. There are so many Non-Profits in our community that raise money for research to help find a cure for cancer, but our Non-Profit works a little different. We help families who are currently suffering from the disease with paying the bills. Our future objective in this program is to take a family through the whole journey by allowing them to know that we have there meals taken care of during treatment, the housing arrangements, medical bills, etc.

 Volunteer's Needed: If you are interested in volunteering for the Mistletoe Fun Run, please click HERE to register.

 For more information please contact the event at mistletoe@runovercancer.org

 Thank you to all our sponsors, we wouldn't be successful with out you!

PLATINUM SPONSOR:

VITELLI LAW FIRM

www.VitelliLawFirm.com

www.bridgelandlawyer.com

281-898-0941

Tournament on South Padre Island

Our first tournament of the year was a real learning experience for the four team members who attended this very challenging tournament. Since we have been going to the ATMA Taekwondo Championship beginning in 2007, the tournament has grown by leaps and bounds. This year there were over 800 competitors. Each year the tournament has improved both in the running of the tournament and the officiating. Master McCloskey did a great job in educating the officials who worked the tournament. There are always challenges with volunteer officials; but, thank heavens we have them or we would have no tournaments at all. This tournament was long but that was because there were so many competitors, not because it was run poorly. Master and Mrs. Kang have done a wonderful job improving their tournament each year.

The competition in South Padre is fierce. Because competitors only have two one-minute rounds, they cannot wait a long time to set up their game. They must be aggressive at the start both with their offense and with their defense. A competitor cannot afford to be hit and must hit their opponent many times to win.

Jon was the first team member to fight. Jon has gotten confident at winning and found the level of competition in South Padre to be greater than what he has experienced lately. His smaller but faster opponent took Jon out of his game and Jon found it hard to recover. Jon needs to work on staying composed during his fights and not allow the other guy to determine how the fight is won.

Kyla was next. Kyla fought her heart out! The girl she fought presented a game style that Kyla has not seen for some time. As a result, Kyla was also taken out of her game. She knows what she needs to work on and is ready to begin tackling those drills with sparring intensity (a key factor in learning how to handle opponents like this) so that she will not be out of control of the match next time. Go Kyla!!

Will was next. Will won both of his fights but he was displeased with how he fought. All of us have those days. To quote Will "This is worse than loosing," referring to his displeasure at the sloppiness of his fighting. Will realized that he was focusing on just one aspect of the game too much and needs to be prepared for other fighters and other techniques.

Rashid was last to fight. His first fight ended in his competitor's injury ending the match and a win for Rashid. Rashid moved in to jam his opponent at the same time that the guy was kicking. As a result, the guy's shin/knee hit Rashid's shin. I could hear the contact from ringside. The poor guy crumbled to the ground in severe pain. Fortunately it seems that he either has a bad contusion or a bone fracture, not a knee injury or broken bone. Rashid was up 3-0 at the time of the injury. His next fight against a Brazilian did not end in a win. Rashid lost in sudden death. He fought really well and looked relaxed through most of the fight. Something he has been working on. Unfortunately some of the techniques he has been working diligently on do not work well without electronic chest gear. A lesson learned!

One thing that Master McCloskey, Master De Los Reyes and I have observed in that last few years is that the level of competition is rising at the tournaments we attend. That means that our kids have to work very hard to learn what is taught in class. They cannot just attend and expect to do better at each tournament.

• They MUST practice at sparring intensity when doing drills. 
• They MUST do the drills over and over until they can do them while sparring in class. 
• They MUST be able to recognize how their opponent is scoring and be able to shut down that aspect of their opponent's game. 
• They MUST fight their own match not match their opponent's fight. 
• They MUST have confidence that they can win. 
• They MUST let go of their fear and the things they cannot control and focus on themselves and what they can control. 

We've got a lot of ground to cover. Our kids CAN do it; but, they must be the one to do it. Master De Los Reyes and I cannot make them do it, we cannot do it for them. They have to WANT to do it and do it from their heart. Nothing less will bring them success in the ring.

PHOTOS TO FOLLOW