Oh Do Kwan Martial Arts in Fayetteville had six students win gold medals at the AAU Southeastern Regionals. These students have all qualified for the AAU Jr. Olympics, a national event in Knoxville, Tenn., on July 4.

Joaquin Bonilla and Greg Lloyd took 13 of their students to the Regionals on Feb. 18 at meadowcreek high School. The athletes competed in tae kwon Do against students from Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina and Floirda, as well as Georgia. The number of fights differed for each athlete but the eoffrt each one of them gave was the same.

“These kids trained hard and the competition was very good,” said Bonilla. “It wasn’t easy. They had to work for it.”

The students competed in two, full contact, forty second rounds. The winners of gold medals for Oh Do Kwan were:

• Jasmine Leavell, 9, red belt, winner of the gold medal at regionals and nationals last year.

• Rashard Brown, 11, yellow belt

• Michael Weaver, 10, green belt

• Phillip Hayes, 13, red belt, winner of the gold medal at regionals and silver medals at nationals last year. He also won a gold medal in forms this year as well as in sparring.

• Asia Smith, 9, blue belt

• Noah Smith, 7, green belt.

Roland Thomas, an adult blue belt student, also won a gold medal.

Lloyd was proud of the student’s accomplishments, especially since several team members were new to the program.

“They had to do a lot to prepare for a competition like this,” said Lloyd. ‘It’s a lot different than fighting in the classroom. They just did an excellent job and I’m very pleased with their courage and ther indomitable spirit. Even if they were behind in points, they never gave up and that shows that they are building their character as well.”

The studetnts from Oh Do Kwan will compete in a few events in the coming months to prepare for the nationals and Bonilla and lloyd both hope to see similar results at that competition as well.
Visit www.ohdokwan.com for more information.

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