Osgood Journal Sports
April 3, 2007

Taylor's 25th Anniversary Tae Kwon Do Tournament is held

Gary Franklin - Sports Editor
By invitation of Jerry Taylor, a 7th Degree Black Belt Owner/Director of Taylor's Tae Kwon Do Academy in Osgood since 1982, to the 5th Taylor Tae Kwon Do Tournament event, held in Osgood on Saturday, March 17, at the Osgood Legion, I experienced yet another sport that I had never previously observed. That being the martial arts Tae Kwon Do exhibition and competition.
I was greatly impressed by the flexibility, precision and respect these participants demonstrated in every aspect of their days activities. I found patience, temper control, and extreme regard for fellow battlers among each and every competitor, regardless of the event, age of the participant or the degree of belt they had advanced to earn.
Master Taylor kept the events of the day moving and was very plain before each event as to what was legal to do during competition, what was expected of the competitors and what the judging criteria would be based on. Acting as co-directors of the tournament were Mike Taylor and Debbie Dean who are both 5th Degree Black Belts.
Taylor's students individually competed to earn the following:
Ashleigh Meyer -
2nd Form, 3rd Breaking, 1st Fight Womens Orange Belt Division 22 yr. old group
Samantha Hansen -
2nd Form, 3rd Weapons, 1st Breaking Girls Orange Belt Division 12 yr. old group
Nicole Hansen -
2nd Form, 2nd Breaking, Girls Blue Belt Division 10 yr. old group
Jonathan Raab -
2nd Form, 2nd Breaking, Boys Orange Belt Division 10 yr. old group
Zachery Raab -
1st Form, 2nd Weapons, 1st Breaking Boys Orange Belt Division 12 yr. old group
Jeremiah McCollum -
2nd Form, 1st Weapons, 1st Breaking, 1st Fight Boys Red Belt Division 7 yr. old group
Jordan Dean -
2nd Form, 2nd Breaking, 2nd Fight Girls Black Belt Division 9 yr. old group
Dennis Richardson -
3rd Form, 1st Breaking, 2nd Fight Mens Black Belt Division over 45 yr. old group
Luke McCollum -
2nd Form, 3rd Weapons, 2nd Breaking, 2nd Fight Mens Black Belt Division 34-44 yr. old group
Daniel McCollum -
1st Form, 3rd Weapons, 1st Breaking, 1st Fight Boys Black Belt Division 12 yr. old group
Elijah McCollum -
2nd Form, 1st Weapons, 1st Breaking Boys Black Belt Division 15 yr. old group
Doug Dean -
1st Form, 2nd Weapons, 3rd Breaking, 1st Fight Mens Black Belt Division over 45 yr. old group
Kathleen Maloney -
1st Form, 1st Weapons, 2nd Breaking, 2nd Fight Girls Orange Belt Division 13 yr. old group
Ben Demaree -
2nd Form, 3rd Weapons, 3rd Breaking Boys Black Belt Division 17 yr. old group
Denver Taylor -
1st Form, 1st Weapons, 1st Breaking, 2nd Fight Boys Black Belt Division 16 yr. old group
Jesse Lamb -
1st Form, 3rd Breaking, 3rd Fight Girls Black Belt Division 12 yr. old group
In summary, most local martial arts tournament points are given during the fighting competition on a contact basis. If blood is drawn, the attacker is disqualified. There is a center referee, four corner judges and a time keeper. The competitors are marked either red or blue for scoring and the rounds go for two minutes. The first person to score 3 points wins.
The Weapons, Breaking, and Form competition are all done the same way with a panel of 3 to 4 judges and a score keeper.
Over 100 people attended the martial arts tournament where Gold, Silver and Bronze Medals with a red, white and blue ribbon were awarded.

GARY FRANKLIN PHOTO
Jac-Cen-Del Eagle senior Ben Demaree continues his Breaking exhibition as fellow martial arts competitors act as holders.

GARY FRANKLIN PHOTO
Black Belt Dennis Richardson (left) holds the boards for the Breaking exhibition of 7 year old Green Belt 8 GUP competitor Skyenne Greene of Seymour. Skyenne only began her martial arts pursuit this year. She is the daughter of Teri and Dean Fugate. Taylor's 25th Anniversary Tournament represented the second tournament competition for Skyenne.

GARY FRANKLIN PHOTO
Pictured from left are 7 yr. old Darrell Nelson, referee Mike Taylor, and 7 yr. old Skyenne Greene as they square off for the Fight segment of their age group competition.