(Chelsea Update would like to thank Dustin Suntheimer for the photo and information in this story.)
American Warriors Academy (formerly Kitchi Taekwondo) saw big wins at the Great Lakes Cup Championship on Saturday, March 22 in Okemos, Mich.
Fielding a team of ten participants, the local taekwondo school came home with seven gold medals, seven silver medals, and two bronze medals to make this tournament a very successful trip.
For many, this was their first time in a competition and a new experience in this type of atmosphere.
Their coach and Chief Taekwondo instructor at American Warriors Academy, Master Aris Woodroofe, is an active 5th Dan (5th Degree Black Belt) martial artist, was there to encourage her students and provide guidance for them as they entered the ring to spar or perform their poomse (patterns of movements).
The team consisted of (in photo) from left to right (back row): Brian Brickley– silver medal sparring; Ava Mater– gold medal poomse and bronze medal sparring; Michael Mater– gold medal sparring; Master Aris Woodroofe– coach; (middle row): Derek Brickley– gold medal sparring; Grace Suntheimer– gold medal poomse and silver medal sparring; Jaden Shepard– silver medal sparring; (front row): Sierra Suntheimer– gold medal sparring and silver medal poomse; Katherine Struk– gold medal sparring and gold medal poomse; Grayson Eckland– silver medal sparring and silver medal sparring, and Michael Struk– silver medal poomse and bronze medal sparring.
American Warriors Academy is owned and operated by Master Mike Trester and his wife, Rebecca Trester.
Trester is a 4th Dan Black Belt Taekwondo instructor and a level 6 instructor of Commando Krav Maga- which is a self-defense system developed for the military in Israel.
The gym is located at 14495 N. Territorial Road Suite B in Dexter Township. Call 734-904-5003 for more information.
Trester is currently participating in the Super Saturdays program and welcomes all new students.
In addition to Trester, they have highly qualified team teaching students of all ages. Aris Woodroofe is the chief Taekwondo instructor and a 5th Dan Black Belt. Camille Bauer is a 2nd Dan Black Belt and is an instructor of Taekwondo. Jon Mykala is a level 3 Commando Krav Maga instructor.
The team will be traveling for the USA Tae Kwon Do Championship Saturday, April 26 at noon at Parchment High School in Kalamazoo.
