St. Peter Community Taekwon Do

(October 25th, 2008)- Three St. Peter Community TKD students attended the Owatonna Tournament: Levi, Jakob, and Jeff. Levi competed in sword sparring and placed 5th. Jakob competed in forms and sword sparring and placed 3rd in forms and 2nd in sword sparring. Jeff competed in sword sparring, forms, and sparring and placed 1st in forms and 3rd in sparring. Jeff also won Grand Champion for his yellow belt form as well. Mr. Paar was also there to help judge (he was unable to compete do to recent ACL replacement surgery) and to cheer on his students.

(April 26, 2008)- Several students traveled to Owatonna to compete in their Tournament. Mr. Paar took home a trophy for 2nd place in forms. Alex took home two trophies: a 1st place in forms and a 3rd place in sword sparring. Graham took home a trophy for 2nd place in forms. Jacob took home a 1st place trophy in forms. Abbey took a 1st place in forms and Jenae took a 3rd place trophy in forms. Levi participated in sword sparring and so did Mr. Lanes. Mr. Lanes also got some valuable judging experience. Congratulations everyone!!

(April 13th, 2008)- Mr. Paar, Dr. Larson, and Jessica Moe attended the Middleton Tournament. Mr. Paar competed in forms and placed 3rd. Dr. Larson and Jessica Moe did not compete. Mr. Paar and Dr. Larson also helped with judging. 

(March 8, 2008)- Master Van Hecke came to perform Mr. Paar's 3rd Degree Black Belt Test and also to give a Seminar on Patterns.  Mr. Ahola came not only to attend the Seminar, but arrived early to show his support for Mr. Paar. First, we were all given a show of both physical and mental endurance and poise as Mr. Paar tested alone for nearly 4 hours- demonstrating his knowledge and aptitude. The test culminated in a 2 on 1 sparring session consisting of Mr. Ahola and Mr. Lanes against an exhausted, but triumphant Mr. Paar. The last part of the test was breaking, which Mr. Paar completed. Then we broke for lunch and a much-needed respite for Mr. Paar (who PASSED by the way!). Master Van Hecke then gave us a very informative and detailed Seminar on Patterns that lasted another 6 hours! Finally, Master Van Hecke and our Instructors headed out for dinner and chatting. It was a long, but enlightening and rewarding day for us all! Thank you again Master Van Hecke!

(July 21-22, 2007) - Four Minnesotans traveled to Wisconsin to compete in the 2007 USTF National competition in Waunakee, WI.  Mr. Ahola (III Dan) took third in patterns in a split decision.  Ms. Larson (II Dan) also took third in patterns in her division.  Two highlights of the weekend came courtesy of color belts.  In his first-ever tournament, Mr. Mansfield, who had just recently tested for 6th gup, tied for 1st place in sparring, before taking second due to his three warnings (two for falling) against a larger, more experienced opponent.  Ms. Freiborg, who had also just recently tested for her 1st gup, had taught herself Hwa-Rang pattern and won three out of four matches to finally lose to a higher-ranking student to take second in patterns competition.  We were all treated to some excellent displays of martial arts.  

 (In photo, first row, l-r, Grand Master Sereff, Master Sereff; second row, l-r, Mr. Ahola, Ms. Larson, Ms. Freiborg, Ms. Hunt, and young Mr. Hunt)

 * Mr. Paar was absent from this tournament due to the birth of his son July 19th. Congratulations Sir!

(June 16, 2007) - Ten Bryant Park students joined Mr. Kevin McDaniel, V Dan, USTF Wisconsin State Director, for a patterns and self-defense seminar.  Students went through some basic self-defense releases, and then Mr. McDaniel ran through everyone's patterns, offering advice and feedback.

 First a serious pose... 

And now a silly one!!
                                                                         

(July 15-16, 2006) - Bryant Park students had great time at the Taekwon-Do Challenge Weekend in Waunakee, WI.  On the first day, at the Region 5 Championships, Minnesotans brought home seven first places, five second places, and three third places.  Bryant Park Taekwon-Do again entered the team patterns competition, and the "Inner Donuts" - made up of Mr. Sargent, Mr. C. Narvaez, and Ms. Narvaez - took first place!   Special congratulations to the Narvaezs, who all placed in patterns and all took first in sparring in their first-ever United States competition!   Minnesota competitors included (back row, l-r) Mr. Ahola, Ms. Hunt, Mr. Sargent, Mr. Paar, (front row, l-r) Mr. E. Narvaez, Mr. C. Narvaez, Ms. Narvaez (Dr. Larson was hiding when we took this photo.)   

After the tournament, students II Dan and up were treated to a workout with USTF Region 5 Director, Mr. Van Hecke (VI Dan).  Mr. Paar and Mr. Ahola were singled out for special praise; Mr. Paar performed one of his patterns and was called a "natural" while Mr. Ahola's pattern earned him the comment that his kicks are "close to perfect".  - as evident in this photo!

                         

(December 7, 2005) - Twelve students tested December 7 for ranks ranging from 9th gup white belt to 4th gup blue belt.  Everyone did an outstanding job!  Congratulations to (back row, left to right): Mr. Jothan Sargent, 6th gup; (Ms. Hunt), Mr. Kieran Schwartz, 7th gup; Mr. Isaac Mross, 4th gup; Ms. Amanda Freiborg, 5th gup; Mr. Emmet Mross, 4th gup; (Mr. Paar); (front row, left to right) Ms. Ruby Tresch, 9th gup; Mr. Xavier Mansfield, 9th gup; Mr. Bennett Christensen, 9th gup; Mr. Imran Ahmed, 8th gup; Mr. Jakob McCabe-Johnston, 7th gup; Mr. Denny Carlson, 5th gup; Mr. Levi Schwartzberg, 5th gup.

(December 3, 2005) - USTF Wisconsin State Director Mr. Kevin McDaniel, V Dan, visited Bryant Park TKD and conducted a Ho Sin Sul (self defense) seminar.  Twenty BPTKD students and two guests learned new ways to escape, throw, and break attackers - all while having a great time!   Mr. McDaniel was ably assisted by Mr. Mbow, I Dan.  After the seminar, BPTKD students preparing for the December 7 test got the chance to show off their patterns as well.

(Photo: Mr. McDaniel dumps Mr. Paar on his tail while demonstrating an escape.)