Local taekwondo students are continuing to excel in the world of martial arts and recently competed in the 2019 Atlantic Collegiate Alliance of Taekwondo Tournament.

Under the leadership of instructor Master Ron Whitted, the students traveled to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill earlier this month.

A new addition was the Junior Collegiate Taekwondo portion. Malik Tuff, a high school students, won medals in sparring.

“I’m proud of these young people who have exemplified that by continuing their education,” Whitted said.

He’s also proud of former students such as Rachel Desch. She’s a former president of the UNC Chapel Hill Taekwondo Club, and is now living and working in the Washington, D.C. area. Desch is World Taekwondo (WT) Kukkiwon certified Black Belt and USA Taekwondo certified referee. She graduated from UNC Chapel Hill with a double major in Economics and Peace, War and Defense.

“The overall goal is to create a competitive and collaborative collegiate Taekwondo community in the Mid-Atlantic, hosting quality tournaments and events like seminars and scrimmages,” Desch stated.

Chris Lane, a former Wake Forest University Taekwondo Club President, also participated as a competitor. He earned a degree in physical therapy and is now working on a doctorate and is a member of the UNC Taekwondo Club member.

Whitted has coached his students to win over 50 USA Taekwondo national medals. He is a WT Kukkiwon 5th Dan Black Belt, a USA Taekwondo certified Referee in both sparring and poomsae.

“A lot of people think of taekwondo as just learning how to kick and punch, but it’s way beyond that,” Whitted said, while talking about the benefits. “It’s about teaching kids how to get along and cooperation. Competition comes with learning how to lose, learning how to win and learning how to prepare yourself.”

Whitted is the first and former USA Taekwondo-NC official State Association Founder and President of North Carolina Taekwondo Organization. He is also a longtime Powerade State Games of North Carolina Taekwondo Competition Manager and three-time USA Taekwondo national lightweight ultra-senior gold medalist in both sparring and poomsae and double gold medalist at the 2006 USA Taekwondo Open.

During the lessons, Whitted conducts drills to help with concentration in school and learning how to get along with others, especially during competition.

“In professional basketball, you want to throw a shot, but you may get fouled,” he said. “It’s how you deal with it. Let the referees take care of it, play by the rules and you can translate this to your everyday life.”

High school senior, Malik Tuff; Rachel Desch, former UNC Chapel Hill Taekwondo Club President; Master Ron Whitted; and Chris Lane, former Wake Forest University Taekwondo Club President, attend the Atlantic Collegiate Alliance of Taekwondo Tournament.
https://www.clintonnc.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/web1_Tae_1.jpgHigh school senior, Malik Tuff; Rachel Desch, former UNC Chapel Hill Taekwondo Club President; Master Ron Whitted; and Chris Lane, former Wake Forest University Taekwondo Club President, attend the Atlantic Collegiate Alliance of Taekwondo Tournament.

Members of the UNC Chapel Hill Taekwondo Club participate in the Atlantic Collegiate Alliance of Taekwondo Tournament. Kneeling, third from left, is Whitney Lin, current UNC Taekwondo Club President; second row, from right to left, is Hayley Stratton, Rachel Desch, both former UNC Chapel Hill Taekwondo Club presidents; Chris Lane, former Wake Forest University Taekwondo Club President, is pictured fourth from right on the second row.
https://www.clintonnc.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/web1_Tae_2.jpgMembers of the UNC Chapel Hill Taekwondo Club participate in the Atlantic Collegiate Alliance of Taekwondo Tournament. Kneeling, third from left, is Whitney Lin, current UNC Taekwondo Club President; second row, from right to left, is Hayley Stratton, Rachel Desch, both former UNC Chapel Hill Taekwondo Club presidents; Chris Lane, former Wake Forest University Taekwondo Club President, is pictured fourth from right on the second row.
Taekwondo pupils excel beyond kicking, punching

By Chase Jordan

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