Check out everything we have going on at our school! Newsletter
Happy birthday to our May birthdays: Hridaan Mistry, Matias Barrientos, Chloe Margaux Dellota, Ethan Liu, Wade Davis, Aarush Kolli, & Hylus Dignee!
MAY CALENDAR
Check out everything that’s happening this month!
May 3rd: Tournament Forms Clinic 6:30pm
May 4th: Tournament T-Shirt Order Deadline
May 10th: Mock Tournament Clinic 6:30pm
May 11th: Tournament Registration Deadline
May 17th: Special Clinics
May 18th: Regional Tournament
May 18th: Tournament Celebration Pool Party!
May 22nd-24th: No Classes
May 23rd-26th: Master Experience
May 27th: No Classes in Observance of Memorial Day
Please visit the 2024 Event Calendar Announcement in the app for the full list of testing and tournament dates.
Regional Tournament
Fort Bend Taekwondo is excited to host a Regional Tournament on May 18th at the Aloft by Katy Mills. The tournament has competition groups for every age and rank – from Little Dragons and White belts all the way up to adults and 6th Degree Black belts. At the tournament students will compete against others who are close in belt and age. They will do the same material they do in class and they get the chance to win medals.
My kids are now at the age when I don’t hear “look at me” as much as I used to. A few years ago, that is all I heard. “Mom, look how strong I am!” they would say as they picked up the bag of groceries with the eggs in them and then proceeded to drop it. “Hey Mom, watch this!” I would hear as they went down the slide going ker-plunk at the bottom. “Hey, Mom! Watch me!” I would hear as they tried t throw the baseball into the strike zone. The outcome was never the point, of course. All they wanted from me was some positive attention. So no matter what they wanted me to see, I applauded their efforts and they were happy.
When they started training in the martial arts, the early years were filled with “Did you see me?” Of course I always saw them. But as each year passed, there was less overt asking for my attention. I don’t hear “look at me” any more or “How was that?” the way I used to. Today they will get together with their friends and discuss how the event went far more than they will with me. But while those days of begging for my attention may be over, they still want it and I can still see their need for my attention. Now, I will be scanning the floor and see young Mr. Lacy do a really good kick. Without even realizing it, he will look over at me to make sure I saw it. Ms. Lacy will do a killer form and the second she is done she will look my way. They still want my attention and that little smile, wink or thumbs up I give them each time. The smile that follows is always a priceless moment for me – even now.
That is one of the things I love most about tournaments and athletics in general. The little “look at me” moments which occur during the event. The little thumbs up from parents and fellow students in appreciation for the student’s efforts. The applause from the crowd and the smile of a job well done no matter what the result. Tournaments are a great opportunity to give your child the “look at me” moments they want from you. They train hard every week. But the very nature of what we do makes it hard for parents to truly appreciate just how talented they are getting. At a tournament, they want you to see them do something special few people have the courage to do these days, compete! Give them the opportunity. Go to the tournament and then give them the thumbs up they want so badly. It will be something they remember forever, even if they won’t admit it.
Taekwondo is a very unique sport in that the only students who “sit on the bench” are those who CHOOSE not to participate in tournaments. There are competitions for all ages and belt levels from 4 to 64 and from White Belts through Black Belts. Don’t bench your child.
Tournaments are a lot of fun and a great training tool to help you on your path to black belt, but they can also be a little confusing for first time participants and parents alike. Here are some tips to help you look like a tournament veteran.
Tournaments are not the same as testing. At testing you are judged against your own abilities and hope to get a new belt. At tournaments you are judged against other students who are close to your age and rank and hope to get a medal (or possibly two!). Everyone should try to attend tournaments, even as white belts. If you wait until you’re almost a black belt nearly everyone in your division will have been to SEVERAL tournaments. As a white belt it is everyone’s first tournament so they are likely to be just as nervous about what’s going on as you. It is also required that all students compete in at least one tournament before they are eligible to test for their black belt.
If you have questions about the tournament please let us know. We would love to see all of our students participate in this event.
Class Schedule
Don’t forget to be on time for the start of your class!