TSDKI competes at Arizona Championship

The Arizona Region 2 Championship held this past October 18th included some visiting participants from TSDKI. Alejandro Perez, 1st gup, Andy Perez Cho DAN and BSBN Leslie D'Ercole SAM DAN made the six hour trek over the mountains and across the desert to the Phoenix area for a day of competition with our WTSDA neighbors. Region 2 is composed of five states of the greater Southwest; Arizona, Colorado, Utah, Nevada and New Mexico. Black Belt divisions were the events early morning opening categories. With little rest, our team's arrival gave them only seconds to report to their respective rings adding challenge to the competition.
Even under this pressure our own BSBN Leslie D'Ercole was able to present and out perform her category, scoring three first places and accumulating a perfect (30) points for the championship. Leslie has now won the Adult Female Grand Champion honors twice in as many weeks; the Region 20 Championship in Chula Vista, CA. and the Region 2 Championship in Gilbert, AZ.. ...We salute you!

We also are very proud of TSDKI's Andre's Perez, Cho Dan, for his awesome performance in the extremely tough junior Black Belt category and for his exemplary assistance as a time-keeper for the days other competitions. Congratulations also to Alejandro Perez, 1st Gup, who achieved 1st place in sparring and 3rd place in forms. Well done TSDKI members!

We encourage all our students to participate in championships outside our own Region 20. These additional challenges help to promote skills and allows for meeting others in our WTSDA family. These lessons and experience helps us all to "Reach the Edge of Excellence".

Tang Soo!

Congratulations Region Twenty Championship!

Congratulations to all competitors and families for their participation in the October 11th, 2008 (“Reaching the Edge of Excellence”) Championship.
It was our sincere pleasure to welcome the following WTSDA studios to Chula Vista’s Park Way Gym in our city’s downtown district; United States Karate Academy-San Diego, Allied Gardens Karate Academy-San Diego, The University of California TSD-San Diego, Costal Canyon TSD Club-San Diego, Mountain Lion TSD-Costa Mesa, CA., Caltech University TSD-Pasadena, CA, High Desert TSD-Victorville, CA., Irvine TSD-Irvine, CA., TSD Karate Institute-Chula Vista, CA., Garcia TSD-Tijuana, Mexico, Ryun Ma TSD-Chihuahua, Mexico, Tang Soo Do Juarez, Ciudad Juarez, Mexico and Ensenada TSD-Ensenada, Mexico.

Our special guest, grand master Jae C. Shin along with some 250+ enthusiastic participants enjoyed a full day of competition and performances. An action filled opening ceremonies included a special tribute in honor of the grandmaster’s visit. A team of 4-8 year olds from the Chula Vista studio presented a unique version of the WTSDA anthem as well as the ever popular “Chipmunks’ Show” all tediously choreographed by BSBN Leslie D'Ercole.

An entertaining “Flamenco Dance” presentation by Corinna Peraza and her talented group of young performers from Tijuana, Mexico added culture and amazing expression to the celebration.

The regional black belt demonstration was yet another opening ceremony surprise. This show, the very first of its kind, involved black belts from all of the region twenty studios. A busy list of martial arts performances and specialties choreographed to a single non-stop 18 minute exhibition treated the crowd to some very dynamic displays of defense techniques, weapons handling, advanced board breaking, and precision skills.

The creativity competition also entertained the audience as the talents of Allied Gardens Karate Academy and the TSD Karate Institute competed for the wining honors. Congratulations to the hard work and commitment of both teams and to first place winner, TSDKI!

Tiny Tiger/ Little Dragon competition was next with a record breaking 50 participants ranging in ages 3-7. Moms, dads, tigers and dragons armed with video cameras surrounded and swamped four different rings dedicated to the category. Each child presented a brief martial art performance followed by the “capture the belts” to the delight of family and friends. All were presented with trophies and participation certificates.

Spirited and fierce Gup competition continued through the day with many inspiring performances by both child and adult. Master of ceremonies, Sig Luther announced the names of the jubilant winners as Master Ken Purnell presented their trophies at podium.

Reaching even higher, the championship stepped up the competition to the next level as the exciting Black Belts categories now took to the floor. Classic, expert and absolutely thrilling competition among our regions best was a treat to behold. Each noteworthy performance and particularly the free-sparring categories left spectators in wonderment of how precise, well controlled and powerfully their abilities were displayed and without any injuries.

The closing ceremonies revealed the highest honors of the event as competition coordinator Master Clare Marsch tallied up the points earned and announce the results of the 2008 Region Twenty Grand Champions.
Jr. Grand Champion Male Gabriel Macedo Allied Gardens TSD San Diego
Jr. Grand Champion Female Crystina Soto Allied Gardens TSD San Diego
Sr. Grand Champion Male Shane Nelson Allied Gardens TSD San Diego
Sr. Grand Champion Female Barbara Bellini TSDKI Chula Vista, CA.
Adult Grand Champion Male Salim Odero UCSD TSD San Diego
Adult Grand Champion Female Leslie D’Ercole TSDKI Chula Vista, CA.


We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the instructors of each studio for their cooperation and hours of preparing students for the event. We wish to also thank and recognize the many behind the scenes volunteers who have work so feverishly to bring this event to reality. In particular; Aricelli Lona, Stanton Horiuchi, Mae Stoke, Rose Masumoto, Sig Luther, John Cruz, Glen Masumoto, Barbara Belinni, Chat Bunag, Helene Lynch, Olivia Figueroa, Master Clare Marsch, William Glenn, Susan Molina, Michael Cardinal, Mark Schoenberger, When Kwon, and Master Patrick Marsch.
On behalf of all the students and families of Tang Soo Do Karate Institute
We truly congratulate all participants of the 2008 Region Twenty Championship and especially for BSBN Leslie D’Ercole’s devoted efforts to help guide all of us in reaching the edge of excellence!

Tang Soo!
Master Larry D’Ercole

Pizza Party / Potluck Friday

Attention Tang Soo Do Karate Institute Family and Friends:

Please be invited to our World Championship Celebration and Countdown to our California Regionals Championship Party this Friday.

What? Pizza Party / Potluck
Who? Everyone is invited
When? This Friday July 25th 7:00 pm
Where? Tang Soo Do Karate Institute 2269 Main St, 9 Chula Vista CA, 91911
Why? To celebrate our TSDKI's World Championship competitors home-coming
...and to commence countdown for the California Regional Championship to be held here in Chula Vista in October. We will begin organizing event volunteers for this project. Thanks for your support.

Pizza provided. Potluck is welcomed.
(World Championship participants should bring any awards won in Florida and uniform for the photo).

AAHHH ZAHHH!!!

BACK FROM 2008 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

Woooo! Woooo! Woooo!
Congratulations to our award winning Tang Soo Do Karate Institute competition team! They have recently returned from the World's Martial Arts Championship in Orlando, Fla. with Gold, High Honors, and Pride. On July 11-12th our team joined with over 2,000 WTSDA participants representing many countries for two days of martial arts competition skill and camaraderie. Sponsored by the World Tang Soo Do Association, the classic biannual event was held at Orlando's Orange County Convention Center. Our TSDKI team ranged from our very youngest member, three year old Giordano D'Ercole, to our most senior black belt members - Allen & Barbara Bellini, Sig Luther, and Leslie D'Ercole . Erik Stoke represented the junior black belts along with a talented squad of color belt ranks including; Alexis Stoke, Amanda Masumoto, Angelo D'Ercole, Erick Morales, Anica Bunag, Jeremy Bunag, Juzenne Cruz, Eric Berumen, Mae Stoke, Kevin Stoke, and Allyson Masumoto. Five year old Guillermo Paquian commanded the Little Dragons category. All were matched against other highly spirited USA and foreign competitors in weapons, free-sparring and forms categories with outstanding results. The medals tallied; (8) Gold, (9) Silver, and (9) Bronze! AWESOME!
In addition to the competition, several team members were involved with opening ceremonies demonstrations displaying dynamic women's self-defense skills, the unique world masters team-form, and a very entertaining pre-school children's show. Excitement and anticipation had been mounting since the beginning of the year with hours of focus-training and coaching to become the best they can be. Attitude is everything! The team was so pumped up with positive energy and ambition for success. Developing and applying this kind of mind-set and confidence are the real prizes here that you can take home and wear. Special recognition is given to our instructors; Leslie D'Ercole, Sig Luther and Barbara Bellini for their contagious spirit of excellence, infectious motivation, and model of sportsmanship. Congratulations!Now we are looking forward to our California Regional Championship scheduled for October 11th. The event will be held here in Chula Vista giving many more of our talented members the opportunity to experience the thrill of competition and to demonstrate their best.

TANG SOO!!

Our World Championship Competition Team!!

The competition team of Chula Vista's Tang Soo Do Karate Institute has their sights set and are ready to disembark for the World Tang Soo Do Association's world championship in Orlando, Florida. The biannual event attracts similar teams from around the globe representing more than forty countries for two days of martial arts skill, camaraderie, and the chance to becomes champions of the world. This year's event marks the eleventh mega-gathering since 1986 and will be held July 11-12th at Orlando's Orange County Convention Center. Previous event sites included the cities of Philadelphia, Las Vegas, Anaheim and in 1992, San Diego. The hot-shot martial arts team representing Chula Vista spans a spectrum of ages and skill levels from our very youngest member, Giordano D'Ercole, a three year old Tiny Tiger to our most senior members Mr. Allen Bellini, Sig Luther,and Leslie D'Ercole, all representing third degree black belt divisions. Barbara Bellini, 2nd DAN, and Erik Stoke, 1st DAN will represent their respective black belt divisions. The Children's red belt categories will be represented by Alexis Stoke and Amanda Masumoto. The Children's brown belt categories will be represented by Angelo D'Ercole, Erick Morales, Anica Bunag, Jeremy Bunag and Juzenne Cruz. Eric Berumen will represent adult blue belts. Mae Stoke, Kevin Stoke, and Jaelen Cruz will represent their respective orange belt divisions. Allyson Masumoto will represent the girls green belts and five year old Guillermo Paquian will command the Little Dragons category. In addition to the competition, several team members will be involved with special demonstration shows as part of the events opening ceremonies program. Others will participate in special Qi-Gong classes offered by WTSDA Grandmaster Jae C. Shin. The excitement and anticipation has been growing steadily since the beginning of the year with countless hours of focus and training to become the best they can be and hopefully the best of the best. "Attitude is everything" says Larry D'Ercole, veteran team director and master instructor at Tang Soo Do Karate. "It is simply awesome to be surrounded by so much positive energy and ambition to succeed. I know our team will do well".

Happy Birthday Master Dercole !

Happy Birthday Daddy!

Have an awesome Day...We love you so much !!!

Thinking of you,

Angelo, Giordano and Gianina

Kung Fu Panda or Tang Soo Panda ?

... a fun time and a funny movie with a great message.

Sunday June 8th was Movie Night for TSDKI. This, our second outing in as many months grew and doubled in popularity. The anticipation of the new "Kung Fu Panda" animated movie created excitement for dozens of our studios families and friends. All arrived early at the Otay Ranch Town Centre AMC in Chula Vista, CA. to insure themselves a seat for the sold out time slot. Shortly before showtime our families socialized in the theater's lobby for a special gift give-a-way of "Kung Fu Panda" posters, tattoos, stickers, and appropriately renamed the event "Tang Soo Panda".
Stay tuned for future movie night announcements.