Imported From The Original Academy Blog 2011-2016
Re-Release 13 of 14 -- First Posted - June 26, 2015
"Cho's Academy Team Brings Home the Gold"
--------------
Cho’s Academy has been actively producing competitive martial artists of all ages since its opening in 2009 and 2015 has been no exception.
On Saturday, May 30th the academy youth team competed in open sparring at the 22nd Annual International Tae Kwon Do Festival in the City of Industry, CA. This open competition had close to 1300 registered participants with representatives from roughly nine countries, including Korea, Philippines, Tahiti and Pakistan. The Cho’s Academy youth team proudly represented Laguna Beach demonstrating good sportsmanship while bringing home 3 golds, 2 silvers and several participation medals.
Academy owner and team coach, Jacob Cho says he is proud of all his young students for their demonstration of fair play, courage and for giving their best efforts.
Throughout the months of March, April and May the academy adult team competed in several open Brazilian Jiu Jitsu tournaments, including the 18th Annual Copa Pacifica in Huntington Beach, Dream Gi Open Championships in Los Angeles, IBJJF Pan Ams in Irvine and IBJJF Worlds in Long Beach.
Travis Zardeneta (32) who teaches Fridays at the academy brought home a gold from the Copa on Sunday, April 26th. Laguna Beach native, Kellen Uchizono (20) brought home a bronze from the Dream Gi Open on Sunday, May 3rd; hard-earned in a division of over twenty competitors. Jacob Cho (42) brought home a silver, also from the Dream Gi Open. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt, Jason Bukich, who has recently signed on to lead the Cho’s Academy Jiu Jitsu team just won his division’s Abu Dhabi Combat Club (ADCC) Trials earning a spot to compete in the ADCC Submission Wrestling World Championships, one of todays most prestigious international grappling competitions--this is event is scheduled to take place in Brazil at the end of August. The academy also has adults it is helping prepare for competition in Tae Kwon Do, kickboxing and MMA.
Many of the academy adult competitors and teachers are also avid yoga practitioners; Burç Gundogar, whose family owns and operates local restaurant GG’s Bistro teaches both Kundalini yoga and Jiu Jitsu at the academy, and Jacob Cho teaches both Tae Kwon Do and a free yoga class every Wednesday at 615pm. Cho says the disciplines are very complementary and powerful practiced together.
The Academy's martial art programs are first focused on building character and discipline through hard work. There is an emphasis to promote an overall commitment to developing the mind, body and spirit. Along with this focus are programs developed to push athletes to elite levels of international competition. Cho says that whether competing or not, being active in the martial arts is for people of all ages.