CENTRAL CITY, Ky. (3/17/13) – This weekend's Tae Kwon DO (TKD) Tournament in Central City was, according to attendees and staff, a huge success. Area motels and hotels were packed, as was the Central City Convention Center.

Dignitaries from The Tae Kwon Do Chung Do Association (T.T.C.A.) headquarters in South Korea entered the convention center to a roaring applause and a standing ovation from karate enthusiasts and a shoulder to shoulder crowd in the bleachers.
 
State Representative Brent Yonts welcomed the many visiting teams and distinguished judges to Central City, commenting that if people across the Earth could share the T.T.C.A.'s belief of respect, courtesy, humility, and goodness, many of the world's problems would solve themselves.
 
Yonts then presented the honor of Kentucky Colonel to Grandmaster Choi, head of this region's T.T.C.A. headquartered in Louisville.
 
Grandmaster Choi has won countless international awards, and served for several years as a bodyguard for the president of South Korea. 

Local favorite, The Mud River Union Band performed an inspiring rendition of the National Anthem, followed by an audio/video playing of the South Korean National Anthem.
 
Then the excitement began, lasting well into the night, featuring the talents of karate teams from throughout Kentucky, Indiana and beyond competing in all age groups.
 
One participant in his late forties, who drove well over two hours for the event, noted that karate is a sport that knows no age limits, stating, "how many football or basketball players do you know from high school who can say they are still able to participate in their favorite sport well into their 40s, 50s and beyond."
 
Another visitor to Central City from Southern Indiana, noted she was very impressed with the facilities, how well-organized the event was, and said she hoped that Central City would be chosen in the future for other events.
 
The Muhlenberg County Tae Kwon DO Studio students kicked off the evening session with a demonstration of high kicks, board breaking, and even a team of female students demonstrating their ability as the P.A. system blared ZZ Top's song, "Legs".
 
The skills on display throughout competition kept the crowd on its feet, in a sport that seems not so much about who wins trophies as it is a display of shared love of Tae Kwon Do and the beliefs it emphasizes.

Jim Johnson, owner of Muhlenberg County Tae Kwon DO Studio in Central City, was a key player in bringing the huge event to Central City.
 
To find out more about Tae Kwon Do log on to http://www.traditionaltkd.com.
 
Paul McRee
SurfKY News
Photo provided by Paul McRee

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