Martial arts academy celebrates 10 years

Warwick —The Chosun Taekwondo Academy, a local martial arts and hatha yoga center in Warwick, celebrated its 10 year anniversary recently with an awards banquet and dinner dance. Guests of honor included Warwick Mayor Michael Newhard and martial arts legend, Grandmaster Richard Chun. Chun is also the president of the United States Taekwondo Association. Close to 300 guests attended and honored members who have achieved significant gains in taekwondo. Taekwondo is the traditional martial art of Korea. Following dinner, Chun praised the Chosun Taekwondo Academy for having the “most effective, traditional curriculum in the tri-state area.” He then presented Chosun owner and head instructor, Master Doug Cook, with the USTA Special Citation, commemorating the event. Warwick Mayor Michael Newhard later delivered an inspirational speech thanking the family run Chosun organization for providing the citizens of Warwick with authentic instruction in the martial arts and hatha yoga, in addition to supporting the downtown area. The Mayor then gratefully accepted the Chosun Golden Eagle Award for integrity in leadership. The awards ceremony continued with Student of the Decade, Student of the Year, and Black Belt of the Year awards in the adult/youth, female/male divisions. Warwick residents Terri Testa, Richard Tamian, Brittney Goscicki, Brian Essigman, Danielle Roche, Raoul Ratsep, Marie Stuart, Nicholas Fitzsimmons, Cheryl Crouchen, Christopher Songer, Sierra Presser, and Ian Suleski, received awards. Other prestigious awards were also presented during the event. During the evening, father and daughter, Dr. James Valentine and Captain Michelle Valentine, presented Master Cook with the US Army Anti-Terrorism Medal for his efforts in providing defensive skills to his students and military personnel. Both have served several tours of duty in Iraq and are certified emergency medical technicians with the armed forces. The remainder of the evening included a visit from Santa, a magic show, and dancing with DJ Blazin’ Beatz.