The great Michael Jordan once said, “You have competition every day because you set such high standards for yourself that you have to go out every day and live up to that.”

This holds true for Quest athletes, whose ultimate competition is themselves. Everyday, the challenge is to do your best to beat your best. And when the opportunity to test yourself comes, you take it.

So this past May 20th, the opportunity came in the form of the International Taekwondo Festival tournament. TWENTY-FIVE Quest athletes accepted the challenge. The result? Amazing.

BEAUTY, GRACE, & CONTROL

According to the Kukkiwon Textbook (2006 ed., page 304), POOMSAE is more than just a series of memorized movements…

Each poom of the Poomsae has been inherited through a history of about 5,000 years. …The Poomsae itself IS Taekwondo. …The Taekwondo spirit is manifested …in the actions of Poomsae.

At the ITF tournament, determined to give their best, 12 Quest athletes stepped onto the mat with one goal in mind: execute the heart and spirit of Taekwondo in the form of Poomsae, with beauty, grace and control.

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With the support of their team, family, and friends, these 12 athletes took up the Poomsae challenge and won.

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Vince Cotugno

Iraia Sastre

Alejandro Ambite

Sara Ambite

Cayden Kahan

John Tian[/rara_column]
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Maximillian Hauenstein

Lukas Hauenstein

Lauren Cook

Alexander Cook

Aleyah Cordero

John Vega[/rara_column][/rara_column_wrap]

FOCUSED AND FIERCE

As the Poomsae Team wrapped up their amazing morning, it was the Fight Team’s turn to take up the challenge – to win against others, and more importantly, to win against themselves.

Determination starts off the mat. Together, the team completed a dynamic warm-up outside the arena.

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And so, EIGHTEEN focused and fierce Quest athletes stepped onto the mats and breathed fire. Each round brought out the warriors within and brought them closer to their goals. Each shot, carefully executed. Each point, a small victory.

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And who was with each athlete every step of the way? Who felt every blow, analyzed every kick, and shared every emotion? The coaches.

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Eighteen sparring warriors stepped onto the mat. Eighteen winners stepped off.

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[rara_column span=”2″]Vince Cotugno

Reinjen Challoy

Clare Trinh

Sophie Trinh

Nicholas Alejo

Rianna Challoy[/rara_column]
[rara_column span=”2″]Sara Ambite

Cayden Kahan

Ross Moore

Sachiko Moore

Tyler Tabil

Chloe Tabil[/rara_column]
[rara_column span=”2″]Cyrilla Zhang

Maximillian Hauenstein

Lukas Hauenstein

John Vega

Reian Challoy

Master Manuel Gildo[/rara_column]
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And with great honor, our very own Master Manny Gildo’s victory earned him the opportunity to represent the U.S. at the next Korea Open!

We are very proud of all our athletes in all that they’ve accomplished at the ITF. And as always, we would like to give a heartfelt thank you to all our families and friends who came to support us that day. Thank you for believing in our athletes, on and off the mat.


YOUR VALUABLE SUPPORT

Although the ITF is over, our Fight Team continues to train, almost everyday. At the end of June, our Team will fly to Detroit, MI to compete in the USA Taekwondo Nationals – winners of this event get the chance to tryout for Team USA. Immediately after that, some will fly to Fort Lauderdale, FL for the AAU Nationals – winners of this event represent Team AAU in international competitions.

Each of these Fight Team kids have trained from 3 to 12 years, earning black belts and forging their fighting spirit through both victory and defeat. While other kids are loitering on the corner or playing video games, the Quest Fight Team is running, squatting, jumping, kicking, and punching. When they wake up the next day, they do it all over again. They still come to training, sometimes late into the night, to prove their mettle, and chase their state, National and Olympic dreams.

Our kids definitely have big and lofty goals, matched only by the generosity of donors like you who have and will continue to help the Quest Fight Team. Your generous donations will help to defray costs associated with equipment, travel, training, and tournaments, ensuring that the Quest Fight Team will be able to continue its Quest, and see the fruits of tireless and patient efforts. As a benefactor you will help build a champion’s legacy and, perhaps most importantly, prove that “kids these days” are awesome!

So, please, take a moment to join us in “the Quest to go above and beyond.” It’s as easy as clicking a button!

The Quest Fight Team humbly thanks you for your generous support.

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