NO Class this Saturday. See you Monday!

The U.S. Olympic Committee will go through with plans to decertify the U.S. Taekwondo Union after that group's leaders rejected a series of changes to resolve organizational and financial problems.

Here's a good pic from Team Trials. That's Mr. Hughes throwing the kick.

Boy beats autism to earn black belt

AAU Team Trials Report

Sunday was a blast, and although I didn’t make the slot on the team, and indeed didn’t even win a match, I’m considering the whole experience as a win because of the level of competition there, and the fact that I fought to the best of my ability that day, and was simply bested by better fighters.

My first fight was against the national champion featherweight. I had studied tapes of his prior fights closely and refused to fall prey to his blinding fast lead leg, which I had seen him land on so many fighters before me as they waded in for the point. Consequently, the match was tense as both of us waited for the other to attack. The first round went scoreless, and now first fight jitters were gone and I could relax into the day. The second round saw some fast exchanges thrown, and although I slipped most all of his shots, he managed to clip me with a roundhouse which cut me under my left eye for two points. By the end of it I was down 4-0 and he got the win.

My second fight was my hardest. I managed to hold my own and fire back shots, but I felt very --- flat --- and not at all myself. My timing was a touch off, and he was a skilled feinter with a great roundhouse and solid jump spin side (back kick). I landed one axe kick to the body as he leaned his head out of range, but no point registered. I even ended up with a negative score at the end, which means if I had not even fought I would have scored more points than I did. But seriously, he was a smooth fighter and I was having an off day, and you know where that leads you.

I felt better on my third fight, against the national team member. He had beaten the guy I fought in my second fight, and would go on to beat the guy I fought first, and I’m assuming he kept his spot as AAU’s featherweight team member. I again was able to nullify most of his attacks and slip the rest, but he did land a couple of good doubles (roundhouses) to the trunk and won 3-0.

Looking back on the day as a whole, although I felt flat and my timing a little off, as I said, I’m largely pleased with the experience. It was an elite tournament with some of the best Taekwondo fighters I’ve ever seen. My emphasis on conditioning paid off, as I never felt out of gas at any point. At this level the margin for victory is very slim, and it is a joy to fight such high level players. It was interesting to note how any tension or nervousness melted away as soon as I stepped into the ring, and in reviewing the tape, I didn’t look as bad as I thought I would. I have countless tapes of myself winning, but not so many of myself losing, and if you think about it, which is worth more?

My wife Christie was invaluable, and did a fantastic job shooting the whole day. Thanks to her. Vegas was fun as always. I’ve got some great new drills to work in class. I’ll post pictures here soon.

“I feel like I became a real champion after I lost my arm.” It's a “minor inconvenience.”

A Female Taekwondo expert is a bodyguard to the Jordanian Royal Family

No Class Tonight! Kid's class WILL meet. Adult Class resumes tomorrow! (Tuesday)

Greetings!

Here is your AAU Taekwondo Newsletter for October 2003.

AAU Taekwondo competitions feature both Olympic and
Point sparring, and traditional Taekwondo forms, including
WTF, ITF, and TSD/MDK forms may be performed.
For more information visit http://www.aautaekwondo.org

In This Issue:
*AAU News Update
*AAU Senior Black Belt Test
*Tournament & Events Schedule


*AAU News Update

AAU National Sporty Chair Mike Friello has provide this update
of the latest AAU Taekwondo news.

National AAU Convention begins this week on Tuesday, October 7th with
a 9:00 AM meeting of the Youth and Adult Sports Council. National Sport
Chair Mike Friello represents Taekwondo. The convention continues all
week long with each sport committee holding its own National Sport
Committee Meeting (Taekwondo is scheduled for Friday, October 10th) as
well as a gang of other meetings, such as the President's Council,
Law and Legislation (which decides Code changes), and redistricting.
The Convention culminates on Saturday with the Board of Directors
meeting at which all Associations and Sports Committees are represented.

On Saturday evening the National AAU Taekwondo Committee will be hosting
check-in/weigh-ins for its Third Annual National Team Trials Competition.
Some 100 Junior and Adult Black Belts will be vying for seats on
their respective National Teams when competition begins on Sunday at UNLV.

And, of course, the following week the US Olympic Committee will be
hosting its own Annual meeting in Cleveland, OH. the hot topic for us at
that meeting? The disenfranchisement of the USTU as the National Governing
Body for the sport of Taekwondo.


*AAU Senior Black Belt Test

A Senior Black Belt Test will be held in Maryland, Saturday,
October 25, at 12 noon. For AAU 4th Dan and higher only.
Contact Mike Friello at mfriello@aol.com for further information.


*Tournament & Events Schedule

November 15, 2003
2003 Georgia AAU Taekwondo Fall Classic
Rhodges Jordan Park
Lawrenceville, GA
Registration Deadline November 10, 2003
For Information contact Charles Minter
770-985-0050
info@minterkarate.com

November 16, 2003
New Jersey AAU Freedom Cup
Morris Knolls Regional High School, Rockaway, NJ
Hosted by: East Brunswick Taekwondo Center
Contact: Mr. Kevin Balon 732-254-1214
EBTC@juno.com

March 6, 2004
2004 Georgia AAU Taekwondo Qualifier
Smyrna Community Center
Smyrna, GA
Registration Deadline January 10, 2004
For Information, Contact James Henry
770-975-9757
henrytkd@bellsouth.net


*Order AAU Merchandise Online

Need an AAU coach's shirt, AAU patches, pins,
ties, training videos, or gup rank certificates?
Now you can order them online (no more printing out
order forms). Just go to http://www.aautaekwondo.org
And get all the things you need!


*The AAU Taekwondo Web Site Can Help You

Want news, AAU Dan Certification info,
tournament results, AAU merchandise,
club or individual membership registration,
or just the phone number of your Sport Chair?
Visit: http://www.aautaekwondo.org

**************************************************************
*Special Introductory Offer Exclusively for AAU Members
from Summit Flexible Products. Buy 50 or more CardioFlex(tm)
or CardioFlex Twin martial art mats and get tapered safety edge
strips FREE. Call 888-FOR-MATS or email: summitinfo@aol.com

**************************************************************
______________________________________________________________
The AAU Taekwondo Newsletter is brought to you by
the AAU Taekwondo Program at http://www.aautaekwondo.org
Edited by David Mazor dmazor@comcast.net


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No practice today. Enjoy the game.

AND,

No Adult class on Monday night! Mr. Hughes has to go out of town. Practice will resume Tuesday night.