Chris Canning Award of Excellence
In December 2001, the sport committee of AAU Taekwondo announced the adoption of the "Chris Canning Award of Excellence." This award is presented annually during the opening ceremonies of the Youth and Adult National Taekwondo Championships. The award is given to one martial artist, with the rank of 1st degree Black Belt or above, within the AAU Taekwondo organization who has demonstrated the competitive spirit, athletic accomplishments and personal attributes set as standards of the award. In conjunction with the presentation of this trophy is a $1,000 scholarship to the recipient for further martial arts training or higher education.

Kurt Fuhrmann Wins Chris Canning Award of Excellence

Kurt Fuhrmann a 17-year-old, 3rd dan black belt from New Jersey, has become the first recipient of the Chris Canning Award of Excellence. The award was presented by the AAU’s National Chief Referee, Rick Blair, on July 4, at a ceremony at the 2002 AAU Youth and Taekwondo Championships in Greensboro, North Carolina. In addition to a beautiful trophy the award includes a $1,000 scholarship.

Kurt Fuhrmann was honored for his outstanding combination of Taekwondo accomplishments, academic achievement, and community service. Kurt has been practicing Taekwondo for ten years and most recently won a spot on the AAU Taekwondo Black Belt International Team. In March, he took the gold in both Olympic style sparring and poom-se competition in the 15-16 year old black belt division at The Puerto Rico Open. He also was the Grand Champion in poom-se for the entire tournament.

A leader in his high school, Kurt has been instrumental in serving his community, including creating a program called “Break the Silence, Stop the Violence!” which emphasizes making schools a safer place. Additionally he has been a volunteer at AAU Summer Camps, and helped raise money to fight juvenile crime through board breaking kick-a-thons. He also has led Taekwondo demo teams to benefit the handicapped.

The Chris Canning Award of Excellence was founded in memory of Chris Canning, a 15-year-old Taekwondo practitioner who died from accidental causes in 2001. Canning was a talented athlete and upstanding young man who won numerous medals in AAU Taekwondo competition, was captain of his football team, played three musical instruments, championed animal-rights issues, and collected clothes for the needy.

The award is now presented annually during the opening ceremonies of the Youth and Adult National Taekwondo Championships to a martial artist with the rank of 1st degree black belt or above within the AAU Taekwondo organization who has demonstrated the competitive spirit, athletic accomplishments and personal attributes set as standards of the award. In conjunction with the presentation of a trophy is a $1,000 scholarship to the recipient for further martial arts training or higher education.

Congratulations Kurt for a job well done!