Representing Kang's Martial Arts Academy, the Thayer brothers attended the 2009 US Open Taekwondo Hanmadang/US National Taekwondo Hanmadang in the Chicago suburb of Shaumburg, IL. All three Thayer brothers medaled in each event they entered at the tournament, which was held June 20 - 21.
First degree blackbelt Daniel Thayer, 12, won a silver medal in a Family Forms event with brothers John and Drew. He also won a bronze medal in Individual Form and another bronze medal for his performance in a jumping high kick competition.
Brownbelt Drew Thayer, 9, won a gold medal in the Individual Form event and a silver medal in Family Forms.
Bluebelt (high) John Thayer, 9, won a silver medal in the Individual Form event and a silver medal in Family Forms.
Demonstrating how good the Kang's Martial Arts Academy (KMAA) is, all members attending this first time ever national event medaled.
Other medal winners from Kang's:
Academy Master Ms. Lonnie Matthews - gold medal - power breaking knife hand; gold medal - power breaking fist; gold medal - power breaking turning back kick.
Ms. Rose Lee - gold medal Individual Form, gold medal - power breaking step side kick.
Mr. Lukas Schmidt - gold medal - Family Poomsae Forms; silver medal - Individual Poomsae Form.
Ms. Olga Kravchuk - gold medal - Individual Form.
Mr. Joshua Kwok - gold medal - jumping high kick; silver medal - Individual Form.
Stefen Schmidt - gold Medal - Family Form; silver medal - Individual Poomsae.
Soren Schmidt - gold medal - Family Form; silver medal Individual Form; Bronze Medal - jumping high kick.
Eric Rothman - silver medal - Individual Form; bronze medal - jumping high kick.
Kalen McCain - gold medal - Individual Form.
Christian Zirbes - silver Medal - jumping high kick.
Kelly Oelmann - gold medal - Individual Form.
Max Collins - bronze medal - Individual Form.
Michael Swenzenski - silver medal - Individual Form.
Josh Smalldridge - gold medal - Individual Form.
In total, Kang's Martial Arts Academy brought home 14 golds, 10 silvers, and 6 bronze medals.
Specializing in Taekwondo and Kum Do Martial arts training, Kang’s Academy is located at 2421 James St. in Coralville. Located directly across from the Coral Ridge Mall and close to IHop, Kang’s is open from 4:45pm into the evening hours Monday through Thursday. A second school is located in Cedar Rapids at the Lindale Mall. For more information check out the Kang’s Martial Arts website at http://www.uskmaa.com or call 319-338-2264.
Daniel Thayer testing for blackbelt - Nov. 2008
Must have made a dad proud for fathers day. Congrats!
Posted by: John Deeth | June 23, 2009 at 05:31 PM