GIFFORD SCHOOL TAEKWONDO TOURNAMENT 2024

This is the second year I have been honored with the opportunity to attend the Gifford School Tournament as not only a parent of a student, but the photographer. This year was PACKED, it was amazing to see that big of a turn out supporting the students and celebrating their accomplishments.

Little Ninjas

Watching the little ninjas compete this year was bittersweet. My son (pictured on the left) competed in this bracket for the last time. He started at Chay's Taekwondo in 2022. Boy, how time flies!

Despite the competitive nature of the tournament they treated each other kindly and with more respect than I can most adults have in the year 2024. These kids brought the heat! I saw pads flying across the gym, tongues hanging out of their mouths indicating top level focus during their forms and boards breaking a 'plenty!

I tried so hard to get shots of everybody who participated! My head was certainly spinning, especially with the speed of all the students this year.

As a spectator who was close to the action, I'd say these kids and their instructors have certainly put in the work and leveled up since the last tournament.

The Not-So-Little Ninjas

After these kids turn 7, they're assessed and potentially moved up into the "big kids class" as my son calls it. This is a class where students of all ages and belt levels train and work together. There are kids as young as seven and students well into their late 30's. It's not uncommon to see quite the age gap between students of the same belt rank working towards the same goal. It's very inspiring and amazing to witness their interactions.

I can't speak for the other participating schools but Chay's Taekwondo is like one big chaotic family. We've all been uncomfortably close to each other at one time or another, we help each others kids tie their belts or navigate a busy lobby if the need arises Most of all, our kids develop long lasting relationships with their peers. For me, that's about as close to family as it gets without busting out the Ancestry DNA kits and Family Trees.

Don't take my word for it, seriously go check them out at www.chaystkd.com!

Their strong community presence and reputation certainly precede them and once you're there you're immediately treated like family. Speaking of family. I realize that some of you may be a little disappointed that I didn't get a shot of you or your family member while I was near the action at the tournament. So, I decided that the Chay's Taekwondo family needs a discount code for the website.

If you are a student or have a student at Chay's Taekwondo, you can use code CHAYSTKD24 for 20% off my Family Photo Sessions for the entirety of 2024!!! Also, once my website hits 100 subscribers, I'm going to give away a free photo session to one lucky family! So please, subscribe to my website and if you'd be so kind my social media presences as well.

If you'd like to see more photos from the tournament, please visit my portfolio page and check out the album. There are more photos that will be uploaded in the near future. Make sure to come back again for more updates! Thank you!