By Karen Abbott-Trimuel
LANSING, Ill. (August 2, 2022) – This past weekend, Master El of Universal Martial Arts Ministry (UMAM) hosted his first annual national taekwondo tournament in Lansing along with Grand Master Bradley Shipp, President of World Chun Kuhn Do Federation in Wisconsin, Grand Master Daniel Gaul, Vice President of US Chun Kuhn Do Federation in Wisconsin, and Grand Master Raymond Saint, President of US Chun Kuhn Do Federation in New Jersey.
National competition
The national competition was an opportunity for UMAM students, along with several students from other taekwondo schools in different cities the opportunity to display their skills and compete for chances to win medals and trophies in various categories.
The competition lasted for four hours, and the ages ranged from three to 65 years old. The competition showcased techniques in all belt rankings, from white to black. The room was filled with family and friends cheering on the students and praising them for their hard work and success during the competition.
Day two of the event featured a weapons and self-defense training class instructed by Grand Master Shipp and Grand Master Gaul.
“Huge success”
“This was our first annual National tournament. I was very pleased with the tournament’s outcome and the competitiveness of all participants. I am looking forward to more students from different schools next year. Overall, it was a huge success,” said Master El.
Master El is the founder and Master instructor of Universal Martial Arts Ministry, a not-for-profit, faith-based organization that teaches Taekwondo in Lansing. He has over 20 years of Taekwondo experience as an instructor and was once a student himself under the tutelage of Supreme Grand Master Bok Man Kim, one of Taekwondo’s technical founders.
Universal Martial Arts Ministry is located at 3517 Ridge Road in Lansing.
