Kicking, Punching, Thriving
When we start our Black Belt Journey, many students & parents don’t realize the scope of what they enter into. Many don’t realize just how amazing the ATA really is and how large this organization is that we have become enveloped in. It is sometimes hard to grasp the idea that there is so much more involved. There is more than just the weekly training inside our individual campuses.
We catch a bigger glimpse at In-school Tournaments. We get an even better idea at a Regional or especially a National event, that there is more. For many, especially those that don’t get involved in the tournament circuit, they don’t realize how large and profound the ATA organization is.
Next week marks a major event in the lives of ATA students and instructors alike. The annual ATA World Expo will take place. Martial artists from across the globe will all converge on Little Rock, Arkansas for a week of education, testing, training, and competition!
Even though ATA was founded in the United States, it has grown into a global phenomenon with presence in over 20 different countries. There are over 20,000 people, from not only the U.S., but other countries attend as well. Some countries that attend include South Africa, South America, Europe, Australia and South Korea.
When you first hear about the World Championships, many just think of the competition side of the Expo. It really is so much more than just a competition! The ATA World Expo actually has an entire week of activities and events that are available for all age groups and ranks to participate in.
Here is a rundown of just some of the events taking place during World’s Week –
- Business Support Seminars
- Working Out/Fitness Classes
- Sparring Clinics
- Protech Training
- Self-Defense & Street Survival Classes
- Advanced Kicking Classes
- Board Breaking
- Teaching Forms Courses
- Weapons Training, with courses in all weapons
- How to Prepare for Fit Tests
- Judging Clinics
- Licensee Meetings
- Awards and Recognition
- Master’s Ceremony
- Testing for High Ranks
- Of course there is the Tournament!!
- And so much more!
For a complete list and schedule of all the events being offered at the World Expo visit http://www.ataonline.com/world_expo
According to Mr. Brandon Loll, 4th Degree Black Belt at the Chandler Campus, “One of the best parts of the Master’s Ceremony is watching the Master’s Induction Ceremony and seeing the new Master’s as they are dubbed with the BeeRyong Bong and are rewarded for their decades of training and instruction.”
Another place to visit while at the ATA World Expo is the H.U. Lee International Gate and Garden. This amazing landmark is named for the organization’s founder and was carefully designed to share the ATA story and elements of Korean culture.
As you can see, there really is so much more to the ATA than we see coming back and forth to our weekly training classes. When you really start to learn about this great organization, you realize you are part of a global family of martial artists that includes a rich history of culture and tradition.
If you haven’t been to an ATA World Expo make it a goal to attend one soon and learn more about the cultures and traditions first hand. It will be an unforgettable experience!
We also want to wish all of those attending, competing, and testing at the 2017 ATA World Expo the best of luck!! You were born to do this!
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