AAU TAEKWONDO AGAIN PROVES TO BE SIGNIFICANT CONT

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2016 has demonstrated, once again, that the National AAU Taekwondo Program is THE grassroots Program within the US and International Taekwondo communities—a place “where future Olympians get their start”.

            This year, an Olympic Year, saw three former National AAU Taekwondo Team Members compete in this ultimate quest for THE GOLD.  Leading the pack was of course Ms. Jackie Gallaway, Bronze Medalist, representing the United States.  Jackie was a member of the 2014 AAU Senior Team.  It should also be noted that the last Olympic Medalist in the sport of Taekwondo, Mr. Terrence Jennings, who also captured a Bronze at the 2012 Olympic Games, was a member of the 2007 AAU Senior Team.

            This year’s Olympic Games in Rio also featured Ms Aniya Louissant fighting for Haiti.  Aniya was a member of the 2015 National AAU Taekwondo Team.  Joining Ms. Louissant was Ms. Crystal Weekes representing Puerto Rico.  Crystal played on the 2014 National AAU Team.

            And the future is looking brighter by the day for the following AAU Team Members who will be representing the United States at this fall’s Junior World Championship:

Leah Mitelberg                                                2016 Team Member

Joshua Liu                                                       2016 Team Member

Trinity Sullivan                                               2016 Team Member

Bilal Hasan                                                      2016 Team Member

Connor Giddens                                             2015 Team Member

Kiana Chai Chong                                          2016 Team Member

Sydney Stoyanoff                                           2016 Team Member

Logan Weber                                                  2016 Team Member

Madelynn Gorman-Shore                               2016 Team Member

Derrick Kwak                                                 2016 Team Member

            Congratulations to all of these outstanding athletes (and their coaches) for having captured half the US Team slots.  These are the same Team Members who led the AAU Team to a First Place victory at the 2016 German Open competing with 60+ other countries.