Silver Spurs Arena Hosts First Annual USSSA Tae Kwon Do Tournament
By Paul Umstead/FloridaEntertainmentScene.com

Kissimmee, FL - Kicks and Stomps at the Silver Spurs Arena were abundant this week and no horses were present.   On Thursday, Friday and Saturday the first Tae Kwon Do tournament was featured in the spacious arena.  National Taekwondo Chairman, Tim Jacobs, stated that the facilities were perfect to hold such an event.  This sentiment was echoed by Tom Turley one of USSSA's Board of Directors. 

In October 2004, Taekwondo was added to the growing list of sports programs at the United States Specialty Sports Association ( USSSA ) whose current membership boasts over 5 million with thirteen sports represented.  Six months ago it was decided to hold a National tournament for Taekwondo and miraculously that endeavor culminated in what occurred June 23rd through the 25th. 

Silver Spurs Arena, located in Osceola Heritage Park, is a spacious facility and more than generously accommodated the participants that traveled from all over the United States to compete.  The competition consisted of Forms, For Point Sparring and Olympic Sparring.  As with most nationally recognized competitions, winners were awarded a gold medal, second place a silver medal and third place a bonze.

Medals

Stretching and Getting Ready

On Thursday, the Forms Competition which judges participants on beauty, grace, rhythm, technique and focus during their routine featured competitors in age groups from 5 years old on up.  Scoring was on a 10 point system with four judges individually determining performance based upon the aforementioned criterion.  From the smallest to the tallest, observers witnessed an intensity of purpose not often seen in individual sports competition.  I personally gained an appreciation of the amount of time and effort that must have been expended to practice their individual routines and admired the courage of all participants, young and old, to be willing to demonstrate their skills and technique.

On Friday, the For Point Sparring light contact competition was held using a unique electronic scoring system where three judges each held devices which had  red and blue buttons representing each of the competitor combatants.  When a scoring blow was landed, each judge would push the appropriate scoring button and if two of the judges agreed, the number of points was awarded and cumulatively indicated on a display screen.  This afforded continuous, non-stop action which enhanced the flow of activity for the competitor and made it much more enjoyable for the audience.  Previous scoring involved the stopping of action while points were awarded.


Electronic Scoring

Jassen Holse (L) and Robert Blaylock (R) Sparring

On Saturday, Olympic Sparring Competition featured contestants that battled each other using their skills and talents.  This competition allowed for more aggression that could result in a knock out.

Overall, these three days were an overwhelming success for both competitor and spectator.

Medal Winners

Award Winners

Get tournament results at the USSSA Homepage.