Florida State Tae Kwon Do Champions
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Alfonso Liguori loves what he does as a blue belt in the Korean martial art Tae Kwon Do. That love recently translated into him being named a state champion at the AAU Florida Tae Kwon Do States Tournament and National Qualifier in Orlando.
“I’m pretty proud. It was something I really looked forward to and I wanted to give it my all,” said the recent graduate of Pope John Paul II High School in Boca Raton.
Liguori was named State Champion in Sparring, earning a gold medal after fighting in a higher belt division. Liguori also earned a bronze medal and was named State Champion in Forms.
Additionally, sophomore Mitchel Baccinelli was named State Champion in Forms, earning his gold medal over one of the larger groups at the competition. The duo competed with Team Millennia but received individual awards.
“I received a bronze medal for my form, which is more of a stylized fighting. It’s a chance to show off muscle controls, knowing your kicks and being able to execute them and essentially pretending to fight,” Liguori said.
He added that, “It was the largest state competition in Florida, somewhere around 600 people.” Liguori said his team individually walked away with one or two medals each.
David Anderson, Moderator of the Pope John Paul II High School Taw Kwon Do Club, said he’s proud of his two students.
“Tae Kwon Do requires a great deal of discipline both mentally and physically. Pope John Paul High School is certainly proud of these talented students and has enjoyed helping them develop their skills,” said Anderson.
Both students took part in the sparring or fighting, and forms or choreographed patterns. Liguori and Baccinelli qualified for the AAU Nationals Tae Kwon Do Tournament, which will be held in Fort Lauderdale in July.
For about three years, Liguori has participated in Tae Known Do and now practices four to five times a week at Millennium Martial Arts in Boca Raton.
“I love doing it. I love the challenge and it’s just a good hard workout,” he said. “I’ve always been a competitor and this has allowed me to be an athlete and learn a new set of skills, some valuable stuff for self defense. And if you are interested in marital arts this is a great challenge.”
Liguori will attend Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton in the fall and plans to continue his passion.
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