Competition Teaches Attleboro Students a Lesson in Sportsmanship

Students of in Attleboro competed in the Korean Taekwondo Association's annual President's Cup championship on August 14 Teaneck, NJ. 

The students, who take classes a Mun Han's Attleboro and Franklin schools, were among hundreds of participants from schools located throughout the country. "Mu Han Martial Arts sent several competitors, as well as provided the majority of the instructor-level referees and judges to support this event," according to Attleboro resident and competition judge, Paula McKeever. 

The event was also, in part, a competition for children and young adults, where they applied their skills in one or more forms (known as "poom sae"), board breaking and sparring.

Participants were divided up into age and gender brackets, and the top three in each division were awarded trophies.

"It was an opportunity for children to demonstrate the skills they had learned to the best of their ability," McKeever said. "Moreover, it was an exercise in good sportsmanship for both those who won and those who lost."

"The audience were treated to not only inspiring performances, but a display of courage and tenacity at all levels."

There was also a main event for Korean American advanced-level students. During the main event, participants competed to qualify for the national championships held in their former homeland.

Mu Han students Conor Danahey, Abbrielle Lindberg, Blake Read and Danielle Grady competed, with the following results:

• Conor Danahey, 13 to 15-year-old division: First place sparring, second place poom sae
• Abbrielle Lindberg, 10 to 12-year-old division:First place sparring, second place board breaking
• Blake Read, 16 to 18-year-old division: First place sparring
• Danielle Grady, 13 to 15-year-old division: participation in poom sae