Jeong’s Yong In Martial Arts students win gold in U.S. Open Taekwondo

Jeong’s Yong In Martial Arts students won seven gold medals and one bronze medal at U.S. Open Taekwondo Championships in Orlando. (CONTRIBUTED)

MADISON – Students with Jeong’s Yong In Martial Arts won seven gold medals and one bronze medal in the U.S. Open Taekwondo Championships.

The championship was held in Orlando, Fla. at the Orange County Convention Center on Jan. 20-25.

“Taekwondo students competed in Poomsae, hoping to medal against an international field of the best the world has to offer,” student Chris Spence said. “They achieved this goal and more, under the watchful eye of head coach Grandmaster Sang Ok Jeong.”

Poomsae is a traditional series of movements including kicks, hand strikes and blocks. The competitors are graded on how well they follow the prescribed routine, along with speed, accuracy, and power of their movements.

“Poomsae can be performed by an individual, as a pair or team of three,” Spence said. “When performing in pairs or team, the synchronization of moves between each member is also judged.”

Medals winners in Orlando were Yerim Jeong, three gold (individual, pair, team); Jewoong Jeong, one gold (pair); Yewon Jeong, two gold (individual, pair); and Hyun Min Kim, one bronze (pair).

After meeting challenges in numerous preliminary rounds, the Madison students to a final round in the competition for a chance at gold.

The current USA National Poomsae Team Head Coach Dan Chuang gave special congratulations to multiple division winners Yerim Jeong and Yewon Jeong. “These are exceptional results in a very deep division,” Chuang said.

Jewoong Jeong and Yerim Jeong have scored gold in each of their three competitions in the U.S. Open. “It is notable that this was Yewon and Hyun Min’s first time at an event like this and their results were amazing,” Spence said.

Master Sangok Jeong has compiled more than 35 years of martial arts experience and is a seventh-degree black belt in the traditional Korean martial art of taekwondo, certified by the Kukkiwon.

Jeong’s Yong In Martial Arts’ address is 7982 U.S. 72 W. For more information, call 256-217-8700, email to madisonjyt@gmail.com or visit tkdmadison.com or Facebook/Jeong’s Yong In Martial Arts.