MIDDLE REGION--Members of the King Yen Taekwondo School are heading to Aruba. Ten athletes ranging in age from six to 17 will represent St. Maarten at the 18th Aruba International Open Taekwondo Championship in Santa Cruz May 20.
The local team will face athletes from Canada, Columbia, Costa Rica, Curacao, Dominican Republic, Martinique, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Surinam, USA and host Aruba.
Grandmaster Theo Liu will lead the team and officials, a sports therapist and parents in total a delegation of 22.
“We will defend the colours of our island and school at this annual very special and prestigious Taekwondo sports event,” said the Grandmaster. “This time more than 300 Taekwondo athletes from different countries are expected.”
The team is scheduled to fly out Friday and return Monday.
“To be able to partake in this tournament at this time of the year we were faced with a lot of challenges including Airline connections and school examination,” said Liu who was recently awarded The Royal Decoration in the Order of Orange Nassau for his years of dedication to the youth of the Island.
“We give the students an opportunity to acquire international experience,” said Liu. “But….. I never choose only the best. Only those that are dedicated, have good behaviour, good school result and want to work hard are selected for this educational lesson for life!”
