Community Taekwondo, based out of the Max Myers Recreation Center, brought home 31 medals at the recent NYC United Cup championship, held at Queens College (New York).
Community Taekwondo also had three sparring champions who won gold in their respective divisions at the June 20 event.
In all, 10 boys ages 5-12 represented Community Taekwondo. The youngsters trained for five months under head instructor Jeffrey Gonell to get ready for the competition.
The competition featured more than 400 participants from elite, high-priced commercial martial arts schools from places like New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. The judges and referees were international caliber.
Gonell compared his squad’s appearance to a true David-and-Goliath challenge. Community Taekwondo was the only Philadelphia school taking part.
Taekwondo is a Korean martial art known for high, fast and spinning kicks. It is a sport in the Olympics and Pan American Games.
Gonell operates Community Taekwondo to give a positive direction to Northeast youths, just like a community martial arts program helped him growing up in the South Bronx.
Community Taekwondo’s dojang is Max Myers, 1601 Hellerman St. The school meets Mondays and Fridays from 6-7 p.m. and Saturdays from noon to 1 p.m.
The school trains year round, and Gonell hopes to take his students to the state tournament, which is a qualifier for nationals.
Gonell welcomes new participants. The school is open to boys and girls ages 3-12. Email kick@taekwondophilly.com or call/text 267-289-1027. ••
