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Local kids win at 2011 UTA Georgia Martial Arts Festival in Dalton
TaeChamps
Front row: Kiara Edwards, Patrick Cochran, Ricardo Roland, Emily Hein, Alec Sutton and Lanajarae Gordon placed in the top threes in their respective age groups and categories , bringing home six trophies and five medals from the U.T.A. Georgia Martial Arts Festival in Dalton held Feb. 26. Back row: coaches Rafael Lopez, Rafael Medina, Jeff Hein and Orlando Pagan - photo by Photo provided.

Special to the Courier

 

Six athletes from the Liberty County Recreation Department’s Sports Taekwondo Team participated at the UTA Georgia Martial Arts Festival in Dalton Feb. 26. All six placed in the top three spots in their age groups and categories.

Kiara Edwards, 11, placed first in sparring and forms, Patrick Cochran, 11, won first in sparring and third in forms. Ricardo Roland, 8, placed first in sparring and second in forms. Emily Hein, 10, placed first in sparring and Alec Sutton, 10, won first in both categories. Lanajarae Gordon, 10, took first in sparring and second in forms.

Master Rafael Medina said his team trained specifically for this competition.

"The athletes worked on the physical and mental skills that will help them become champions in life and on the competition floor," Medina said. "This is truly an amazing group of athletes who did what it takes to win."

The athletes brought home six trophies and five medals.

Medina said the team is preparing for the Georgia State Games, regional and national championships and the Liberty Taekwondo Championships Tournament.

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