Salazar Park Taekwondo Team Heads to International Tournament
The team fundraises to lower the costs of traveling to Puebla, Mexico.
By Stacie Chan, EGP Staff Writer
Next week, from Sept. 19-21, 15 members of the Ruben Salazar Park Taekwondo Team will compete in the international “Puebla 2008: Pan American Open Taekwondo Championships” in Puebla, Mexico. This will be the first time Salazar Park’s Taekwondo Team will participate in an international event, according to Master Martín Garcia, the team’s teacher.
But getting there won’t be easy for team members and their families.
“With the cost of airfare, hotel, and food, this trip isn’t cheap and these students are struggling to come up with the money,” said a Salazar Park staff member. “So we’re trying to get involved and help them by getting the word out.”
The cost for one participant can be upwards of $1,000, but many of the participants think the hefty price is well worth raising.
“This will be a highlight in my life,” said Adriana Alarcon, 19, one of the participants competing in the championship tournament. “I’m excited and honored in a cheesy way since this will be my first time competing in an international tournament. After I saw the Lopez siblings [Mark and Diana] in the Olympics, I said ‘I wanna be there in four years!’”
To help students like Alarcon achieve their goal, the team has been selling food and water during taekwondo classes and at tournaments. And two weekends ago they held a carwash to raise money to help defray the team’s traveling expenses.
About 150 students train at Salazar Park in East Los Angles. Garcia, an experienced international taekwondo referee in Mexico, chose the select few, ranging from six-to 43-years-old, based on their discipline, work ethic and skills, he said.
“My favorite move is the hu ryo chagi, where you spin in the air and kick,” said Andrew Vega, 12, one of the team members headed to Puebla, Mexico. “I did it once, [participate in a tournament] so I’m not nervous.”
When asked what his chances were at the championships, he responded, “I can probably beat the other guy.”
For many of the students, this confidence and discipline result from the free Monday through Thursday classes, funded by the Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation. In a neighborhood that doesn’t offer many alternatives, these free taekwondo classes “are great for keeping the children active and off the streets.”
“My dad wanted me to come because I was in the house all day being lazy. I’m telling the truth about me, I was born lazy!” laughed Emmanuel Martínez, 10, one of the 15 chosen to go to Puebla. “Now I’m only a little lazy, but not that much.”
Steve Vega, the father of two students and the oldest participant at age 43, also enjoys taekwondo for its “discipline, respect and honor,” he said as if reciting a mantra.
“I wanted my children to be able to defend themselves and become more disciplined. You could see the results in school as they became more respectful and their grades moved up. Taekwondo makes them think again instead of heading to the streets.”
The classes have also provided opportunities that students like Martinez might never have received if they hadn’t committed themselves to the sport.
“I’ve never been to Mexico so this tournament will be my first time to another country!” he added excitedly.
“I can’t wait.”
The other members competing next week include Martín Garcia, Jr., Janet Reyes, Raeanna Vega, Ernesto Vasquez, Erik Olguin, Kenia Olguin, Jacinto Flores, Prisma Magaly Ledezma, Esmeralda Cano, Jose Bonilla, and Nataly Sanchez.
For more information or to donate funds to help defray expenses, contact Master Martín Garcia at (323) 712-8324, or Salazar Park at (323) 260-2330.
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September 11, 2008 Copyright © 2010 Eastern Group Publications, Inc.
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My name is Ernesto Vazquez. I am one of the competitors that is going to fight in puebla. I would like to give thanks to Stacie Chan and to the Los Angeles Mexican American Sun for printing our story in your newspaper. We are going to have one more car wash this saturday September 13th at 9 a.m at Salazar Park. If you get any calls from ppl who want to help our team with funds please give them my email address or my cell number since our teacher is already in Mexico. My Cell # is 323-273-0690 and my email is Ogmios21@yahoo.com.Thanks for all your help. The Tae Kwon Do team appreciates your help.
[...] Salazar Park Taekwondo Team Heads to International Tournament – 19-21, 15 members of the Ruben Salazar Park Taekwondo Team will compete in the international “Puebla 2008: Pan American Open Taekwondo Championships” in Puebla, Mexico. This will be the first time Salazar Park’s Taekwondo Team will … [...]