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".
