The News-Press 19
July 2, 2015
Martial-arts studio shows power of faith Victory Taekwondo members going to competition in Texas By Nick Puckett
Special to Colorado Community Media The taekwondo studio sits in a Parker strip mall, sandwiched between the Sprouts grocery and Murdoch’s ranch supply stores. Above the door, a yellow sign — barely visible from the street — reads “Martial Arts.” The doors are propped wide open in an effort to air out the overpowering smell of bare feet and sweat. Almost perfectly harmonic “kee-yas” travel across the parking lot. Inside, parents sit in black metal chairs, watching 30 girls and boys, ages 6 to 12, methodically spar on worn red and blue mats. The white walls are barren of awards and trophies. But don’t let the humbleness of the Victory Taekwondo dojang fool you: Six members of Victory will compete July 4 at the USA Taekwondo National Championship in Austin, Texas. Korban Leeper, 7, and his father Jeff, 30; Ellie Bowman, 12; Trinity Sison, 12; Jordan Laudan, 15; and instructor Chris Endo, 21, medaled at the state tournament March 7 in Aurora to qualify. With the exception of Bowman, this is the first national appearance for the athletes. “We’re going there to have a great experience,” said Bowman, “and to learn from it.”
Precision movements
The students respond to cadences from Master Ramil Abratique, the studio’s owner, like soldiers following a drill instructor, conducting precise movements for each kick, yelling in unison. Step. Pivot. Swing. Kick. “Kiyah!” Repeat. Suddenly, the flailing kicks stop and the room falls silent. Students stand at attention like statues, waiting for the next command. On either side of them, inspirational quotes
Taekwondo master and owner of Victory Taekwondo Ramil Abratique organizes his students to begin sparring at practice. Photos by Nick Puckett are written across the tops of the walls. “The difference between perseverance and obstinacy is that one often comes from a strong will, and the other from a strong won’t.” — Henry Beecher “Greater is he who acts from love than he who acts from fear.” — Simeon Ben Eleazar That’s the mantra the master preaches to his students. “For me, life skills and leadership are very, very important,” said Abratique, 45. “If we have a black belt with excellent life skills and leadership training, our community will be stronger … I really want to develop leaders.” Victory Taekwondo, like many other taekwondo studios, focuses on developing a good attitude within its students first and training them in Olympic-style taekwondo second. The instructors “teach them respect,” said Taekwondo continues on Page 21
Laudan (in red) and Sison (in blue) spar wearing gear used in competition.
Serving the southeast Denver area
Castle Rock/Franktown
Greenwood Village
Littleton
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First United Methodist Church 1200 South Street Castle Rock, CO 80104 303.688.3047 www.fumccr.org
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Sunday Worship - 10:00am Bible Study immediately following Currently meeting at: Lone Tree Elementary School 9375 Heritage Hills Circle Lone Tree CO 80124 303-688-9506 www.LoneTreeCoC.com
Parker
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Community Church of Religious Science Sunday 10:00 a.m. at the historic Ruth Memorial Chapel on Mainstreet
303.805.9890 www.ParkerCCRS.org
Joy Lutheran Church Sharing God’s Love
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SATURDAY 5:30pm
SUNDAY 9:30am
Pastor Rod Hank Joyful Mission Preschool 303-841-3770 7051 East Parker Hills Ct. • Parker, CO 303-841-3739 www.joylutheran-parker.org
Prairie is a welcoming congregation, and a caring community that nurtures mind and spirit, celebrates diversity, and works for justice. We believe in the inherent worth and dignity of every person. Discover your own path … theist or non-theist. Sunday Services 10:30 am Pine Grove ElementarySchool 10450 Stonegate Pkwy Parker, CO 80134 prairieuu.org
Christ’s Episcopal Church
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Trinity
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303-841-4660 www.tlcas.org
UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
Open and Affirming
Sunday Worship
8:00 AM Chapel Service 9:00 & 10:30 AM Sanctuary 10:20 AM St. Andrew Wildflower Sunday School 9:00 & 10:30 am
www.st-andrew-umc.com 303-794-2683 Preschool: 303-794-0510 9203 S. University Blvd. Highlands Ranch, 80126
Parker evangelical Presbyterian church Connect – Grow – Serve
Sunday Worship To advertise your place of worship 8:45 am & 10:30 am in this section, 9030 MILLER ROAD call 303-566-4091 PARKER, CO 80138 3038412125 or email www.pepc.org kearhart@ColoradoCommunityMedia.com
United Church Of Christ Parker Hilltop 10926 E. Democrat Rd. Parker, CO • 10am Worship www.uccparkerhilltop.org 303-841-2808