grafsata
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
More than 20,000 people will gather in Little Rock June 22-28 when the American Taekwondo Association (ATA) hosts its annual World Championships tournament at the Statehouse Convention Center downtown.
ATA members and guests from over 17 countries and five continents travel to central Arkansas for intense martial arts action. Throughout the championship week, instructors and practitioners will attend martial arts seminars, special training sessions and tournament competition, all in an effort to better themselves as students of Songahm Taekwondo.
For some of those competitors, this event marks the culmination of a year of hard work at regional and national tournaments to earn a coveted spot among the Top Ten ATA students in each division. That dedication will pay off for the few who walk away with the prestigious title of “ATA World Champion.” Students will compete in divisions based on age and belt rank and will show off their skills in traditional forms, weapons, sparring, ATA-Xtreme open hand forms and ATA-Xtreme weapons.
Each year, one of the biggest highlights of the ATA event is the opening ceremonies held at ALLTEL Arena in North Little Rock.
Performances by the ATA World Demo team and national team finalists will provide the crowd a unique blend of classic martial arts with modern pop culture flips and tricks. Also taking place at the ATA opening ceremonies will be the traditional Masters’ Ceremony and high rank testing.
Those attending the ATA World Championships will be able to enjoy the beauty and serenity of the H.U. Lee International Gate and Garden, located alongside the Statehouse Convention Center on the bank of the Arkansas River. ATA officially opened the exquisite Gate and Garden named for the organization’s late founder, Eternal Grand Master H.U. Lee. The $1.4 million landmark is a statement of gratitude by the ATA to the people of Central Arkansas for their support of this event and the organization over the last three decades.
ATA has been internationally headquartered in Little Rock since 1977. Since 1969, the ATA has continued its mission of providing students with the highest quality of martial arts instruction available in a safe and positive learning environment that people of all ages could enjoy. With active membership exceeding 350,000 worldwide, including 53,000 black belts, the ATA is North America’s largest martial arts organization dedicated to the discipline of Taekwondo. Since the organization’s inception, over one million lives have been changed by its Songahm teachings.
Attend and compete at the 2009 Songahm Taekwondo World Championships and help us celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the ATA.
See you in Little Rock!
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great information in this post! Thanks for sharing =) cheers!