MIDDLE REGION—Twenty four young athletes age six to 18 and one adult will represent St. Maarten at the 23rd Puerto Rico International Tae kwon do Open Championship in Puerto Rico March 12 and 13. The team is from the King Yen Tae kwon do School in Middle region directed by Grand Master Theo Liu.
Making the selection are six year olds Maalik Richardson and Marcellius Mathew; eight year olds Owen Christian, Mahelia Gadishaw, Tyrone Washington and Francky Helliger; nine year olds Crystal Narducci, Alisia Helliger, and Justin Wilson.
Ten year olds making the team are Younes Azbouni, Micheal Helliger and Emelius Rey; 11 year olds on the squad include
Adan Mathew and Kiara Williams; 12 year olds Yaniek Patrick, Ajani Destin and Angelique Helliger; 13 year olds Mekhi Holaman, Mira Raghosing and Destiny Washington.
Fourteen year old Joey Narducci, 16 year old Shane Shamdeo, 17 year old Lee-Ann Liu and Tyrell Pantophlet also made the cut.
There will also be one adult athlete and a delegation 17 officials including team leader Grand Master Liu.
“We want to give our St. Maarten student athletes again the great opportunity to acquire international experience in a one of kind event where only the best athletes meet,” said Grand Master Liu. “This is a once in a life time opportunity and will serve as an unforgettable and tremendous experience for them.”
Countries expected to field teams at the Championship include Aruba, Barbados, Curacao, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Martinique, Mexico, St. Croix, St. Thomas, United States, Surinam, Venezuela and host Puerto Rico.
“Our excellent international tournament accomplishments in the past years have earned that our St. Maarten team will receive during this tournament the Outstanding International Team Award,” beamed Liu.
