143rd International Instructor Course
Las Vegas, NV - June 21-23, 2019
Master Suarez traveled to Las Vegas, NV with QTC's Rupert Shrouder and Jennifer Throo, and 8 additional members of the NTA-ITF for the 143rd International Instructors Course.
2019 Masters Seminar
Camaguey, Honduras - June 14-16, 2019
Masters Suarez and Perlaza joined forces once more with Masters Oscar Perez (FL) & Luis Gato Gato (PR) for another Central American International Masters Seminar--this year in Camaguay, Honduras! The seminar, hosted by Union Taekwon-Do of Honduras led by Sabum Raul Alvarez was another huge success. The Masters held an intense 3-day seminar focusing on all aspects of ITF Taekwon-Do, including patterns and fundamental movements, sparring, self-defense, physical conditioning, and the moral aspects of ITF Taekwon-Do. Master Suarez would like to extend his deepest gratitude to the organizing committee of the UTH and the members of the Central American ITF community for this great opportunity.
NTA-ITF Black Belt Training
Jackson Heights, NY - May , 2019
USTC Red Tiger Cup
Philadelphia, PA - May 18, 2019
Master Suarez Seminar at Advantage TaeKwon-Do
Lititz, PA - May 5, 2019
National Taekwon-Do Association seminar with Master Suarez on May 4 and 5.
This two-day NTA-ITF sponsored seminar was conducted by Master Ruben Suarez (VIII Dan).
On Saturday, sessions were held for the beginners (morning) and intermediates (afternoon). The students worked on a lot of basics to understand the importance of a good foundation and each group finished with breaking.
Sunday, the advanced and black belts spent 4 hours working on step sparring, basic movements, and patterns. We would like to thank Master Suarez for coming all the way from NY to our school! We appreciate the commitment the NTA has to growing its members.
2019 21st Sr. / 15th Jr. ITF TKD World Championships
Inzell, Germany - April 22-28, 2019
ch 28, 2019
QTC was proudly represented last week at the 21st Senior / 15th Junior ITF World Championship in Inzell, Germany. Six members of QTC (Julio Carlos, Emanuel Carlos. Stephanie Suarez, Claudia Suarez, Kiabeth Jimenez and Michelle Muriel), along with Coach Master William Perlaza participated in the tournament, which saw 1,234 competitors from over 60 countries. QTC's Julio Carlos and Stephanie Suarez were elected to represent Team USA at the Opening Ceremony at Max Aicher Arena.
We offer a profound congratulations to Julio Carlos, the 2019 ITF World Champion in Individual Sparring <63kg. This is Julio's third title as World Champion having earned the Gold Medal in this same division at the World Championships in 2009 and 2011, as well as World Cup three titles in 2014, 2016 and 2018. Keep up the good work Julio! We are always proud of you!
Master Suarez Seminar ARCAN TKD - Ottawa, Canada
April 6, 2019
ch 28, 2019
Master Suarez traveled to Ottawa this weekend for a seminar at ARCAN Taekwon-Do in Ottawa, Mr. Diego Cabañas. Master Suarez would like to extend his appreciation for the dedication and hard work of everyone at the seminar.
Ultimate TKD Challenge - Tenafly, NJ
April 6, 2019
ch 28, 2019
Unity TKD Championship - South Windsor, CT
March 30, 2019
Results:
Claudia Suarez - GOLD (Sparring)
Stephanie Suarez - GOLD (Patterns) & Chon-Ji Champion!
Congratulations!
Stephanie Suarez Chon-Ji Champion...Grand Prize $100
Happy Birthday Master Suarez
March 28, 2019
"Gracias por todos los buenos deseos que me he recibido hoy! Solo espero tener salud y seguir realizando lo que más me gusta: Taekwon-Do."
--Master Suarez
"Thank you to everyone for all the good wishes I received today. I only wish to be healthy and continue doing what I love most: Taekwon-Do."
--Master Suarez
Team USA Training at QTC
March 16-17, 2019
Was an honor to have members of Team USA in Queens for a weekend of intense training in preparation for the upcoming ITF World Championship in Inzell, Germany.
Thank You to Master Suarez & Master Perlaza of QTC. A special thank you to Masters Vincent Affatigato & Alvin Bernard of the OTFA, and Master Seth Rattet of the ITF-USA for their attendance.
Good Luck to Everyone in Germany!
IIC 139 Bogotá, Colombia
February 22-24, 2019
An amazing course with three Grand Masters who gave it their all...a lot of humility and wisdom!
Twelve countries came together to enjoy Taekwon-Do.
Promotion tests with great satisfaction for Colombia--especially by our new Masters!
Congratulations!
***
El mejor curso con 3 gran maestros que lo dieron todo...mucha humildad y sabiduría!
Doce países que se unieron para disfrutar del Taekwon-Do.
Exámenes de ascenso con grandes satisfacciones para Colombia--especialmente por nuestros nuevos maestros!
Felicitaciones!
7th Lititz Tournament - Lititz, PA
February 23, 2019
IIC 138 - Vancouver, Canada
February 9-10, 2019
FUJI Mae Tour - LaGuardia Plaza Hotel
January 27, 2019
2019 FUJI Mae Tour, New York – LaGuardia Plaza Hotel
On January 27, 2019 Master Suarez and the NTA-ITF welcomed legendary international coach, Master Jurek Jedut (VII) of Poland, and Professor Leo Oros Duek (VI) of Israel to present the last of five sparring and self-defense seminars comprising the 2019 FUJI Mae Tour. Sponsored and promoted by FUJI Mae—an international company dedicated to the production and distribution of martial arts equipment—the seminar was held at the LaGuardia Plaza Hotel in Queens, NY with the attendance of 50 participants, including students, instructors and masters.
Master Jedut, among the best coaches in the world, has brought multiple students to the level of individual world champion and earned the National Team of Poland a privileged status, worldwide. Master Jedut is accompanied by Sabum Nim Leo Oros Duek. A sports psychologist and Professor of Sports Psychology at the Wingate Institute in Israel, Mr. Duek has been an integral part of the development of the ITF in Israel and has travelled throughout the world teaching courses in self-defense.
Together the duo presented an astounding 5-hour seminar in sparring and self-defense this past weekend!
Master Jedut’s passion and simplicity transmits a positive energy to the participants, that kept them attentive and engaged throughout the afternoon. The diversity of exercises presented focused on improving physical conditioning and increasing the capacity of reaction time that is so crucial in sparring. Participants thoroughly enjoyed Professor Duek’s presentation of self-defense techniques. A series of fundamental procedures for facing real-life, critical situations was presented in a clear and practical manner, while offering important warnings of how and when these techniques should be applied.
Master Suarez would like to extend his profound thanks and appreciation to Master Jedut and Professor Duek for the opportunity to have the renowned FUJI Mae Tour here in New York!
El 27 de enero de 2019, el Maestro Suárez y la NTA-ITF dieron la bienvenida al legendario entrenador internacional, el Maestro Jurek Jedut (VII) de Polonia y el Profesor Leo Oros Duek (VI) de Israel para presentar el último de los cinco seminarios de combate y autodefensa que comprenden el 2019 FUJI Mae Tour. Patrocinado y promovido por FUJI Mae, una compañía internacional dedicada a la producción y distribución de equipos de artes marciales, el seminario se llevó a cabo en el hotel LaGuardia Plaza en Queens, Nueva York, con la asistencia de 50 participantes, incluidos estudiantes, instructores y maestros.
Master Jedut, uno de los mejores entrenadores del mundo, ha llevado a varios estudiantes al nivel de campeón mundial individual y le ha otorgado al Equipo Nacional de Polonia un estatus privilegiado en todo el mundo. El Maestro Jedut está acompañado por Sabum Nim Leo Oros Duek. Como psicólogo deportivo y profesor de psicología deportiva en el Instituto Wingate en Israel, el Sr. Duek ha sido parte integral del desarrollo de la ITF en Israel y ha viajado por todo el mundo impartiendo cursos de autodefensa.
Juntos, el dúo presentó un asombroso seminario de 5 horas de entrenamiento y defensa personal el fin de semana pasado.
La pasión y simplicidad del Maestro Jedut transmite una energía positiva a los participantes, que los mantuvo atentos y comprometidos durante toda la tarde. La diversidad de ejercicios presentados se centró en mejorar el acondicionamiento físico y aumentar la capacidad de tiempo de reacción que es tan crucial en el combate. Los participantes disfrutaron mucho la presentación de las técnicas de defensa personal del profesor Duek. Una serie de procedimientos fundamentales para enfrentar situaciones de la vida real y críticas se presentó de manera clara y práctica, al tiempo que ofrecía advertencias importantes sobre cómo y cuándo deberían aplicarse estas técnicas.
El Maestro Suárez desea expresar su profundo agradecimiento y agradecimiento al Maestro Jedut y al Profesor Duek por la oportunidad de tener el famoso FUJI Mae Tour aquí en Nueva York.
Masters Seminar in El Salvador
November 9-11, 2018
The International Taekwon-Do ITF Seminar took place in El Salvador this past weekend, directed by Master Rubén Suárez (VIII), with the collaboration of Masters William Perlaza (VII), Oscar Pérez (VII) and Luis Gato Gato (VII).
In attendance were more than 100 participants from Honduras, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Mexico, who joined together for three days of hard work, learning and friendship in the spirit of ITF Taekwon-Do. The Masters conducted a three-day, intensive seminar, focused on the fundamental movements of the 24 patterns, as well as physical conditioning, sparring, and self-defense techniques. Topics such as the Do, ITF protocol, and international umpire regulations were also addressed.
The weekend far exceeded the expectations of all the participants who were highly enthusiastic throughout the seminar and now eagerly await the return of the Masters for another seminar, which is slated to take place in Honduras next year. Since the first seminar in Guatemala last year, the program has proven a great success in Central America. It is anticipated that the event will become an annual event, contributing to the growth of ITF Taekwon-Do in Central America.
The President of the Salvadoran Union of Taekwon-Do ITF (UNSALT), Sabum Erick López, would like to express his gratitude, on behalf of the Board of Directors, to the Masters for their hard work and dedication to the teaching of ITF Taekwon-Do.
About 20 competitors from QTC travelled to Orlando this weekend to participate in the ITF Taekwon-Do National Championship hosted by the NTA-ITF. The event was part of the 20th International Martial Arts Festival held at the ESPN Wide World of Sports, and included the Team USA Selections for the 2019 ITF World Championshiup to be held in Inzell, Germany in April 2019.
On the off-days from competition, the group enjoyed various outings, including Disney's EPCOT Center, Animal Kingdom, and a trip to Universal Studios for Halloween Fright Fest!
We look forward to returning to the IMAF next year for another great experience!
Click HERE for a list of QTC's medal winners.
2018 QIUC - LaGuardia Plaza Hotel
April 7-8, 2018
This past weekend, April 7-8, 2018, the National Taekwon-Do Association (NTA-ITF) hosted the first ITF Qualifying International Umpire Course (QIUC) of the year at the LaGuardia Plaza Hotel in Queens, New York. The course was conducted by the International Umpire Committee, led by Chairman Master Alberto Katz (VIII) of Argentina and IUC Member, Master Ruben Suarez (VIII) of the USA.
There were 60 participants in attendance (11 masters and 49 instructors/assistants) from across the United States and abroad, including Anguilla, Canada, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Jamaica, Puerto Rico and Trinidad & Tobago.
This course was the first QIUC for referees wishing to officiate in the 2018 ITF World Cup and 2019 World Championships.
The course opened with an introduction to and clarification of the Official ITF Rules and Amendments that are currently in effect for international competition, followed by a description of the responsibilities for each member of the Jury Council, including the jury president, jury assistants, and center and corner referees.
Pattern competition was the first event covered in the UC, with an overview of the point deduction system for scoring patterns. This discussion was supplemented with a demonstration of various videos from past world championships, as well as a series of prepared videos that contained intentional errors commonly found in pattern competition.
After participants were introduced to the new SPORTDATA (SET) electronic scoring system (ESS) currently in use by the ITF, the group began the practical application of the knowledge learned, beginning with the entry and exit of the ring council, and the real-time scoring of patterns using the ESS. After the break there was an overview and practice of Team Pattern competition and Prearranged Sparring. The first day of the seminar ended with a night out by the majority of participants at the local Peruvian restaurant, Pio Pio, where friends, old and new, joined in sharing laughter and reminiscing over food and drinks.
Sunday’s agenda packed a great amount of valuable information into one day, beginning with the job responsibilities and protocol of the ring council, with particular emphasis on the system of warnings and fouls, and the associated hand signals used by the center referee. An in-depth practice session of these hand signals followed, where all participants were paired with the more experienced referees in attendance, to practice this knowledge. After a discussion of the sparring point system, participants were all able to practice the real time application of being a center referee and/or corner judge in sparring matches.
The afternoon ended with a discussion of the protocol and rules for power breaking competition with a practical session of the jobs of the referees and the scoring for power breaking.
The course was an ideal opportunity for referees in the United States and neighboring countries to review and update their umpire skills and fulfill the qualifications for participating in the upcoming ITF international competitions. It is also a great opportunity to introduce those with no prior knowledge of the rules and protocol for those who have no prior experience.
The only downside was the amount of information required to cover and an insufficient amount of time. In the future the course must be longer to adequately and comfortably cover everything. Nonetheless, it was an overall success with much information loaded in to the two days allotted.
On behalf of the NTA-ITF and the ITF Umpire Committee, we want to thank everyone who traveled and participated in the QIUC, continuing the commitment to the development of ITF umpires in the United States.
Sincerely,
Master Ruben Suarez