21st Annual Colorado State Open Martial Arts Championship 2012 by Tiger Kim’s Academy

300 Participants Compete in the 21st Annual Colorado State Open Martial Arts Championship
Tiger Kim’s Academy, one of Denver’s oldest and most respected schools for martial arts training, recently hosted the 21st Annual Colorado State Open Martial Arts Championship on Sept. 22, 2012, at 1480 Steele St. in Denver. More than 300 participants competed from ages three to over 60 years old. Participants competed in Tae Kwon Do, Tang Soo Do, Karate, Kenpo, Kung Fu and other martial arts styles in the categories of Olympic Sparring, Point Sparring, Weapons Sparring, Weapons Forms, Traditional Forms and Breaking. A state-of-the-art Daedo Electronic Scoring System was used for all sparring events in 4 rings, and swords were awarded to top winners in sparring and medals were awarded in all other events.
Tiger Kim’s Academy has been a leader in martial arts in Denver for over 36 years since the school’s founding in 1976. Run by a father-son team, Tiger Kim’s Academy has trained more than 10,000 students, including over 1,000 Black Belts, during its years of operation. Students study Korean martial arts styles of Tae Kwon Do, Tang Soo Do and Hapkido under the instruction of experienced and certified Black Belts. Tiger Kim’s Academy teaches self-defense; strength and fitness training; self-discipline, responsibility and respect; as well as Korean language and cultural customs. Students range in age from three years to seniors, as well as many families study together.
After receiving Black Belt #123, Grand Master Jung Kil Kim, “Tiger Kim”, 9th Dan, opened his martial arts studio in Denver, but not before being invited to Hong Kong in 1969 to instruct the legendary Bruce Lee in the art of breaking. Master Sung Hwan “Tiger” Kim, son of Grandmaster Kim, holds the rank of 7th Dan in both Tang Soo Do and Taekwondo.
Tiger Kim’s Academy contributes to the community in numerous ways, by providing after-school enrichment training in the Denver Public Schools, as well as martial arts demonstrations at many community events each year. The school sponsors many free community events for anyone wanting to learn self-defense, including classes for women and the GLBT community with donations benefiting various charities. In addition, they host frequent State tournaments for students to compete and demonstrate their skills. For more information go to www.tigerkim.com