The 2014 World Cup Finals Open Martial Arts Championships were held in Reston, Va. on Jan.17 and 18. Ellixson’s Tae Kwon Do Academy of Boyertown, travelled to Virginia with their Team Elite members.
Competitors qualify for Championship Titles once they secure a first place winning in an event. All first place winners in the Forms and Weapons divisions go on to compete in run-offs where further eliminations narrow the competition to only a few remaining contenders. Ellixson’s captured two Black Belt Grand Championship awards with Jr. Black Belt Julia Hansford battling her way through opponents to gain 1st place in the 12-13 yrs. Black Belt Girls Sparring division and then seizing the Championship Title later in the evening during the Night Time Finals Event. Hansford also grabbed a 2nd place winning in the 12-13, Black Belt Traditional Weapons Division. Ellixson’s Tae Kwon Do Instructor and Ellixson’s Team Elite Captain Axel Gonzalez-Kim conquered the Grand Championship Title for Adult Black Belt Weapons. Wheeling a Samari Sword, Gonzalez-Kim performed a powerful execution unanimously clinching his title.
Ellixson’s Team Elite returned home with many accomplishments as veteran and new team members valiantly persevere during the two day competition.
Jr. Black Belt Ryane Bernsteil put her heart into her 12-13 yr. Traditional Weapons and Forms capturing 1st place in both divisions. Jr. Black Belt Hannah Starolis moved up this year into the 14-15 yr. division and took 1st place in Traditional and Musical Weapons. Starolis came in 2nd for Traditional Forms and joined team member and Jr. Black Belt Asia Swenk to secure 3rd place in the Team Pairs 100% synchronized. Swenk competed in the 12-13 yr. division and placed 2nd in her Musical Form and Sparring. Swenk also took 3rd in Traditional Forms. Brother, Dylan Swenk fought rigorously grabbing 3rd place in the boys 10-11, Advanced Sparring Division.
Veteran team member Billy Long came home with a 1st place winning in the 12-14 year Advanced Weapons Division and two 3rds in both Open and Traditional Forms. Brother Matthew Long joined Billy to compete in the Team Pairs Demonstration and also gained a 3rd place standing. Adriana Sheridan debuted in her first World Cup competition as a new Team Elite member and placed 1st in her 12-13 yr. Beginner Traditional Form division. Adriana also snatched 3rd place in Beginning Girls Sparring. Kathleen Deputy has joined Team Elite this year competing in the Adult Beginner divisions and coming home with 1st place in both Traditional Forms and Sparring.
New member Cassandra Trujillo (10 years) began her competition career along with sister Alexa Deputy (9 years). Both girls competed in the Beginner Girls divisions. Cassandra capturing 2nd in Girls Sparring and Alexa secured 3rd place in both Tradition Forms and Sparring. Kennedy Miller also joined Team Elite for 2014, and came home with a 2nd place standing in Girls Sparring and 3rd place in Traditional Forms. Veteran Aaron McNamara grabbed a 3rd place in 12-14 yr. Traditional Weapons. Veteran Eric Nice came home with two 3rd place winnings in the 10-13 All Ranks Breaking and 10-11 Traditional Forms. New member Jayden Weller debuted in his first competition and took 2nd place in the Beginner Sparring Division. Aaron Lang captured 3rd in Intermediate Boys Sparring and Ellixson’s Tae Kwon Do Academy member Tristan Ellixson achieved 3rd in 5 and under Beginner Traditional Forms.
Congratulations to all members for a valiant display of courage and perseverance. Ellixson’s Team Elite is currently training for The Amerikick Internationals in Philadelphia held in March.
Submitted and written by Missy Swenk.
