On March 29, several Conestoga students participated in the SKY Taekwondo Championship. The competition started at 8 a.m. and took place all day in the Montgomery County Community College gymnasium.
Competitors in the tournament, ranging from kids to teens to adults, came together from various regions of Pennsylvania to represent their respective SKY Martial Arts schools. The competition involved four other martial arts dojos and hosted more than 100 competitors in total.
“They (the SKY branches) found that (the competition) would be necessary to keep a student motivated and to have a more active interaction between the three locations,” said SKY Martial Arts Wayne branch instructor and master Dan Yang. “So, they decided to try a championship and competition event so that they can maintain the cooperation between the different branches and build a bigger community as a taekwondo institution.”
The championship featured four main events: breaking, speed breaking, form and pair form. In the breaking category, competitors showcased a martial arts skill by breaking a set of boards. In the speed breaking category, the scoring system was based off of how fast they could break a set of boards. For the form and pair form categories, competitors demonstrated a specific set of moves either on their own or with a partner. Contestants were evaluated based on the quality and flow of their techniques and skills.
“A lot of people would think martial arts usually means fighting, but this is less about fighting, and it’s more about actual technique,” freshman and SKY Martial Arts student Virat Ram Ponugoti said.
Conestoga students who participated in this tournament represented the SKY Martial Arts Wayne branch. They also took on several other roles including being performers, referees and volunteers.
Performers were part of a demonstration team where students came together to show off their skills and represent their respective martial arts school in the opening ceremony. Referees coordinated and oversaw the various matches, and volunteers ensured the competition and concession stands ran smoothly. The volunteers also directed all spectators.
“We’re very grateful for all the helpers and volunteers, many of whom are some of our instructors or assistants who help lead the class. They spend their own time to help their own students, cheering them on and helping score the students, giving the fair score so that they get the placement that they deserve,” Yang said.
A panel of masters and instructors from the various martial arts centers judged the competitors. The competitors were split into four groups: Little Tigers (for kids ages 4 to 6), Junior Tigers (for kids ages 7 to 12), teens and adults. The panel ensured that every participant earned an award to encourage growth and development of their skills.
“They make sure that even if you put in your best effort, you still get an award,” Ponugoti said. “Because you did put in the effort, and everybody needs to be recognized for that.”
Vaishnavi Sriadibhatla can be reached at [email protected].
