Rique Lee Rosalia breaks a board during the Taekwondo exam for a Red Belt with a Black Stripe.
ST. PETERS—Seventeen students passed their Taekwondo and earned the right to wear the next higher level belt.
The King Yen Taekwondo School, under the direction of Grandmaster Theo Liu, a Kukkiwon recommender, conducted the testing In accordance with the examination rules and regulations of the World Taekwondo (WT) and the Kukkiwon in Seoul South Korea and under the auspicien of the St. Maarten Taekwondo Federation.
The examinations were conducted in the Gymnasium of the Helmich Snijiders Hillside Christian School Saturday.
10th Kuye (White Belt + One Yellow Stripe)
Earning their first promotion to a White Belt With One Yellow Stripe were Sherine Lalwani, Alisha Liesdek and Tremaire Williamson.
9th Kuye (White Belt + Two Yellow Stripes):
Moving up to a White Belt With Two Yellow Stripers are Alyssa Blomont, Karam Quasem, Kareem Quasem and Jaylon Shillinford.
8th Kuye (Yellow Belt):
Selenamy Nguyen Le earned a Yellow Belt.
7th Kuye (Yellow Belt + Green Stripe)
Jacuro Flanders and Lemesha Fleming earned a Yellow Belt with Green Stripe.
6th Kuye (Green Belt)
Moving up to a Green Belt are Philip Chang Sing Pang, Jordan Frederick and Dwayne Wilson.
5th Kuye (Green Belt + Blue Stripe)
Roeniel Sarabdjitsingh passed the requirements for a Green Belt with a Blue Stripe.
3rd Kuye (Blue Belt + Red Stripe)
A Blue Belt with a Red Stripe was earned by Jhavid Ramcharan.
2nd Kuye (Red Belt )
Shailen James moved up to a Red Belt.
1st Kuye (Red Belt + Black Stripe)
Rique Lee Rosalia passed all the tests for a Red Belt with a Black Stripe.
“Despite Covid pandemic situation, most students have done very well again and Taekwondo in general took another development step forward for our country St. Maarten,” said Grandmaster Liu.
Assisting with the examinations by his St. Maarten growth black belt holder Master Lee-Ann Liu (2nd Dan),
Belt rank testing is how students earn their next belt and move up through the ranks to the Black Belt.
Testing helps students see the importance of setting and working towards goals, learn self-confidence, which is an important life skill we want them to learn Grand Master Liu explained.
The students underwent a battery of physical tests that involved the demonstration of TKD martial arts Forms (Taeguks), several defensive and offensive techniques and sparring. The testing concluded with the students having to break boards and do free sparring.
The scoring was based on proper order, beauty, grace, rhythm, accuracy, confidence, power, technique and attitude. The total points together with regular class attendance and good behavior determines if the student may advance to a higher rank.
Grandmaster Liu added that he was happy to see so many parents and family members again during the examinations.
