12°c Light rain
Winnipeg Free Press - ONLINE EDITION
Six-year-old achieves black belt
Anthony Contreras practises his taekwondo at Choi's Taekwondo school on Friday. (JOHN WOODS / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS) Photo Store
He's a highly skilled and highly disciplined six-year-old, and Saturday Anthony Contreras achieved his poom, or junior black belt in taekwondo.
Without breaking a sweat, the jumpy youngster went through his Dragon patterns as a test for the poom belt.
Receiving a poom is a very rare feat in the sport for someone so young.
"I am happy," said Contreras. "I am happy and proud."
His teacher, Grand Master Chang Beck Choi, who is a certified World Taekwondo Federation instructor and owner of Choi's Taekwondo in Garden City, said he's never heard of a six-year-old achieving this level in his 40 years of teaching.
"Big deal, big news. I'm very happy and very proud this time. I'm very sure he's doing very good and very sure he'll get a good mark on his black belt test," Choi told the Free Press.
Anthony's mother Beth watched the test with 14 other family members.
She says although she was shocked when she was told of Anthony's achievement, she also knows how hard he's worked in two and a half years since starting taekwondo.
"He's quite confident in his ability and he's quite strong with his kicks and everything."
A full black belt is reserved for athletes 16 years old and over, which is why Anthony received a red-and-black poom belt.
History
Updated on Saturday, March 16, 2013 at 10:55 AM CDT: corrects typos
6:05 PM: updates story following achievement.
More Other Sports
- Back to Top
- Return to Other Sports
More Other Sports
(1 of 50 articles for this week)
Finance ministry official Filimoni Waqabaca appointed as Fiji Rugby Union chairman
12:45 AM 0WELLINGTON, New Zealand - Filimoni Waqabaca, a permanent secretary at Fiji's Finance Ministry, has been elected chairman of the Fiji ...
Poll
Most Popular Other Sports
- Canberra ends Melbourne's 15-match win streak in the National Rugby League
- Owl River opens to paddlers
- Jonny Wilkinson wins European Player of the Year award after helping Toulon to European title
- Here's how to catch a cat
- Arm yourself for the annual blood feud
- Going fishing -- but will it be on water?
- Glory days
- Ex-Olympian admits she worked for escort service
- Melbourne Storm extend 9-month winning streak in Australia's National Rugby League
- MCC to spend 200 million pounds on redevelopment of Lord's cricket ground
- Jocks behaving badly...
- Fighter a tattoo artist
- Owl River opens to paddlers
- Canberra ends Melbourne's 15-match win streak in the National Rugby League
- Why does Manitoba get short end of fishing rod?
- Handball family gathering
- Rochette pondering return to Olys
- Going fishing -- but will it be on water?
- Bows, guns, ammo & camo for every hunting occasion
- Former Wallaby winger Ben Tune tried to commit suicide due to chronic depression
- Jocks behaving badly...
- Why does Manitoba get short end of fishing rod?
- Sports scientist admits offering peptides to rugby league players, denies link to cancer death
- Going fishing -- but will it be on water?
- Impact study: Questionnaire aims to help local medical researcher shape new guidelines for when and how to safely get kids back on the field or rink after a concussion
- Riley family's $500-K donation covers most of Sports Hall of Fame
- Wax sculpture of Sachin Tendulkar brings cheers from fans at Sydney Cricket Ground
- On the HomeFront
- Canberra ends Melbourne's 15-match win streak in the National Rugby League
- Rochette pondering return to Olys
- Impact study: Questionnaire aims to help local medical researcher shape new guidelines for when and how to safely get kids back on the field or rink after a concussion
- Love the wilderness? Put Bloodvein on life list
- Trappers are happy -- very happy
- California man identified as victim of fatal skiing accident in southeast B.C.
- Going fishing -- but will it be on water?
- Bugs don't ruin day at Downs, they rule it
- Jocks behaving badly...
- Handball family gathering
Ads by Google
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.
Have Your Say
New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.
The Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.