Welcome to the
California Unified Taekwondo Association
Upcoming Events...

World Taekwondo Hanmadang
Date: July 16-20 2008
Place: Anaheim Convention Center Arena
Address: 800 W. Katella Ave. Anaheim, CA 92802

Website: www.Hanmadang2008.com

Hotel Sites: Click for listings

The Organizing Committee is looking for volunteers to serve at this event. All volunteers will be receiving free lunch, free T-shirt, free admission and $30 travel expenses each day for providing their services, also an appreciation certificate awarded by Kukkiwon and an opportunity to see the world renowned Tiger Demonstration Team from Korea.

Volunteer Application: Register Online   Download and mail

What is the World Taekwondo Hanmadang?
The World Taekwondo Hanmadang is an event designed to bring Taekwondo practitioners together from all over the world in global celebration through non-sparring competition. Divisions include Poomsae, breaking, self defense. It is hosted by the Kukkiwon, which is the World Headquarters of Taekwondo. The Kukkiwon's philosophy behind the Hanmadang is that there can only be one champion in sparring competition, but at the Hanmadang, everyone can be a winner. The Hanmadang was first held in 1991 and the first 16 editions were all hosted in Korea. However, for the first time, the Kukkiwon has decided that for the good of the Taekwondo community, the 2008 Hanmadang would be held in California, it the hopes that more competitors worldwide would participate.

What are the benefits of competing at the World Taekwondo Hanmadang?
There are many benefits to participating at the Hanmadang. Unlike most world level sparring competitions, the Hanmadang is open to all Taekwondo practitioners, regardless of age, rank or physical condition. Color belts as well as black belts can participate. Entire families can compete together in a safe, friendly environment.

Participation at the Hanmadang will also enhance a college applicant's resume. Most World Championship level events are limited to 8 or 10 weight classes for males and females. However, anyone can participate at the Hanmadang and therefore anyone can place their participation (and medal achieving performances) on their college applications.

Finally, the Hanmadang is a world celebration of Taekwondo, and is a rare opportunity to meet and interact with practitioners from many different countries and cultures. Most Taekwondo competitors have not had the opportunity to compete internationally.


California State Team Trials
For Filling-Up the Current Team Open Spots

CUTA is pleased to announce that most of the open spots have been filled at the Team Trials in Fresno on Saturday May 10, 2008. Special thanks to Master Derrik Carter who has provided his beautiful school for this event.

Female Junior Division:Middle Olga Slabchak B Team
Female Senior Division: Fly Rachel Marcial A Team
Fly Amanda Palmer B Team
Welter Tatyana Slabchak A Team
Light Shilla Kang B Team
Male Junior Division: Fly Jordan Compo A Team
Light Heavy Nick Vasquez B Team
Male Senior Division: Fly Calvin Vang A Team
Middle Humberto Valenzuela B Team

team trials


Intensive Internship Training Course

July 21 - August 8, 2008
Conducted by: Masters from 7 Universities in South Korea
Sponsored by: Korean Cultural Center, Los Angeles
Supported by: California Unified Taekwondo Association

The Korean Cultural Center, Los Angeles, will provide two weeks intensive Internship Training Course during the summer vacation. 42 Korean Masters who majoring in Taekwondo at 7 different Universities in South Korea will be invited to the USA and conduct creative Taekwondo teaching and learning skills for the global age to the best Taekwondo Dojangs in California.

Only 35 Dojangs in California will be selected for hosting this course. Conditions for applying for the course and schedule are shown below:

Conditions:
  • Must provide accommodation, meals and transportation (pickup/ride service), for the invited Korean Masters.
  • Must have a sufficient number of students for the training course.
  • The flight cost from Korea will be paid by the invited Korean Masters.
Schedule (changeable):
  • July 21- Aug 8 Internship Training Course
Please apply online here or download application and mail to:
California Unified Taekwondo Association
800 W. Carson St. #32
Torrance, CA 90502

Deadline for application: July 15, 2008


CUTA Referee Certification Seminar
  1. Qualification: Red belt & higher, age 16 & older. With or without experience. Former USTU & current USAT Referee Certifications will be recognized and rewarded a compatible rank.
  2. Requirement: CUTA Individual Membership required. Membership fee is $10.
  3. Referee Seminar Fee: $25
  4. All participants will receive a Referee Rank Certifications and a CUTA Referee ID Badges.(bring 2 ID photos to Seminar)
  5. Referee Attires Reward: Rank D = Referee Tie; C = Tie+Blazer; B&A = Tie+Blazer+Shoes.
  6. Monetary Compensation when referee each CUTA sanctioned tournament: Rank D = $35; C = $50, B = $65; A = $80.
  7. The Referee Chairman will keep records of each referee for their performance and participation on tournaments, for their future upgrade.
  8. Referee Seminar will be conducted by CUTA Referee Chairman, Grandmaster Tom Vo, IR (International Referee)
NORTHERN REGION
Date: Saturday July 26, 2008
Time: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Place: Robinson Taekwondo Academy - 6324 Fair Oaks Blvd. #D, Carmichael, CA 95608

SOUTHERN REGION
Date: Saturday August 9, 2008
Time: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Place: Tom Vo Taekwondo Academy - 18071 Magnolia Street, Fountain Valley, CA 92708


Register Online   Download and mail




2008 CUTA State Championship
Saturday August 23, 2008
Galen Center at USC
3400 S. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA 90007

Hosted By: California Unified Taekwondo Association
Directed By: Grandmaster Kwon Sung Choi, President CUTA
Produced By: Master Yushen Lai, Secretary General CUTA

Download Tournament Brochure


Congratulations to the CUTA Teams Victory
International Taekwondo Festival
Industry Hill Expo Center, California
May 24-25, 2008

Click to view photo gallery

Junior Team Female: 1st Place (Cash Prize $6000)
Junior Team Male: 4th Place (Cash Prize $1000)
Senior Team Female: 4th Place (Cash Prize $1000)


CUTA Teams for World TKD Festival 2008

state team 2008

Junior Team Female
GigiGil
DeireanneMorales
GinaWilliams
MadisonMotoyasu
PaigeAguirre
TatyanaVallejo
SamanthaBraun
OlgaSlabchak
KindraWoo
SandraMendoza


Junior Team Male
JordanCompo
BrianTran
BrandonPadron
OwenMack
DevonGuider
CoryKing
NickVasquez
JoseGarcia


Senior Team Female
SunmiKimFin/Fly -108.03
JessieBatesBantam/Feather +108.03-125.66
Shilla (Gina)KangLight/Welter +125.66-147.71
TatyanaSlabchakMiddle/Heavy +147.71


Senior A Team Male
CalvinVangFin/Fly -127.87
SvenLorrimerBantam/Feather +127.87-149.91
ArronRobinsonLight/Welter +149.91-176.37
HumbertoValenzuelaMiddle/Heavy +176.37


Senior B Team Male
LuisReyesFin/Fly -127.87
JohnnyChenBantam/Feather +127.87-149.91
JesseHallLight/Welter +149.91-176.37
IlseobKangMiddle/Heavy +176.37

Congratulation CUTA!
We have successfully completed the 1st USA Taekwondo California State Taekwondo Championship last Saturday 3/8/08. Even with more than 500 competitors but under our professionaltournament team we managed to finish the last bout about a little after 6:00 PM. The Competition Poomsae went well even it took longer time than traditional Poomsae to finish. Special thanks to Master Randy Chambliss who managed this Competition Poomsae professionally and efficiently.

The only issue we had on Saturday was the venue having a Women Basketball Playoff at 7:30 PM and we were asked to finish the entire tournament by 5:30 PM. We received this notice only three days before the tournament. The college claimed that this was something happened unexpectedly and the basketball team coach has the right to cancel our event. Instead of canceling the event and get involved with a big legal battle with the college and the competitors, we decided to go on and immediately called out several serious meetings with set up crew, referees and ring crews. We finally finished the tournament a little after 6, but we have to shorten the times and rounds for the last few black belt matches. I believe complains in this regards will arise, but we have no other choices. We are planning to file complain to the Mayor of Norwalk and the Chancellor of Cerritos College.

The CUTA would like to recognize and thank a number of individuals who have devoted their times and talent to make this championship possible and successful. Many thanks to:
Mr. Marco Mack, who has worked with me in very beginning of the planning stage, which included visit the venue, layout the floor plan for competition rings, weigh-in, set-up the venue after weigh-in, managing the work flow on day of tournament and also worked as an EMT for the Tournament Medical Committee. Grandmaster Young In Cheon and his daughter Ann Cheon, Master Danny Gonzalez, Master Paul Rawate, & Master Ron Cabebe, who have worked so hard to make the weigh-in run quickly and smoothly and the work flow on day of tournament. Master Randy Chambliss who managed the Competition Poomsae professionally and efficiently. Master Perry Okimoto, who has set-up the tournament site and managing the work flow on tournament day, also tournament poster and medal designer. Mr. Edmond Tso & Mr. Marvin Wickham, who have managed the ring crews for the entire tournament. Mr. Stephen To who has helped in security area. Grandmaster Tom Vo, Referee Chairman, and his entire referee team, who have officiated the competition fairly and professionally. All dedicated volunteers. Special thanks to our AMS programmer, Mr. Calvin Beech, who has always made the number matching system works so effectively for smooth run tournaments for the last 15 years.

In conclusion, we have made every attempt to make this event as fair and enjoyable for all participants as possible and it is my sincere hope that we have exceeded your expectations.

Master Yushen Lai
Secretary General CUTA
Tournament Producer

Download Competition Results List
For any errors please send an email only.

referee certification
CUTA has successfully hosted an 8 hours USAT Referee Certification Seminar on March 1, 2008 at CSU Dominguez Hills. Master Jim Evans, USAT Official Referee Instructor, has given outstanding training for 27 referees attended. Tiffany Choy; Wayne DuChateau; Danny Gonzalez; Vanessa Han; Heng Houth; Philip Houth; Joseph Kim; Shinae Kim; Victor Laguna; Dennis Lam; Nhuan Leo Le; Christina Lin; Gerardo Marcial; Christopher Medina; Xanthe Menor; Jessica Nguyen; Virgilio Ocampor Jr.; Jose M. Rios; Charles Robertson; Sandra Rodeback; Jerry Sanchez; Steve Simian; Wonjoon Sohn; Daniel Strasswyk; Clayton Tso; Edmond Tso; Steven Van Ooyen.


The First State Team Meeting & Training has successfully concluded. Special thanks to Grandmaster Young In Cheon, State Team Chairman, for providing his dojang and conducting the team meeting & training. Also many thanks to our Official State Team Sponsor, Golden Tiger-Kens Trading Inc., for providing team uniforms & warm-up suits. All members attended received their Team Uniforms and having the first Kyoroogi training from Coach Hyon Lee, Derrik Kwak & Larry Spears, and Poomsae training from Coach Tom Vo & Reggie Ubiadas. A complete training schedule for both south & north teams will be announced soon

poomsae certification kukkiwon Kukkiwon Poomsae Certification Seminar-2008 San Francisco. Sponsored by Kukkiwon; Organized by CUTA; Supported by Vision USA, was held on January 26-27, 2008 at the Cathedral Hill Hotel in San Francisco. Black Belts from across the country and from Canada received training from Kukkiwon Masters. Purpose of the seminar was to teach masters the official W.T.F. a nd Kukkiwon curriculum system in order to achieve master instructor qualification and evaluation for Kup and Dan grade instruction and promotion tests according to official Kukkiwon standards, based on the Taekwondo masters, and leadership-training programs designed for masters.

California State Team Trials - January 19, 2008
Congratulation to those athletes who have made to the A/B Team for Kyoroogi & Poomsae.

Please review the Team Member List Kyroogi and/or Poomsae and send your email to , if you discovered any error.

We are exciting to training with you and hope you will be bringing good results from any National or International Games that we sent you.

Sincerely,
Grandmaster Kwon Sung Choi
President CUTA

Thank you everyone for supporting the
Taekwondo Grand Showcase
kukkiwon demo team kukkiwon demo team featuring the Korean Kukkiwon Taekwondo Demo Team

held on October 8, 2007 at the Pacific Palms Resort in Industry Hills, CA.
Local demo teams and a sparring exhibition of the Northern California Team vs. Southern California Team

Go to the News page to view more photos and a video clip of the event


Kukkiwon Poomse Certification Seminar

Sponsored by Kukkiwon; Organized by CUTA; Supported by Ken's Trading Co. was held on July 28 - 29, 2007 at the Wilshire Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles. Black Belts from across the country and from Canada and Colombia received training from Kukkiwon Masters. Purpose of the seminar was to teach masters the official W.T.F. and Kukkiwon curriculum system in order to achieve master instructor qualification and evaluation for Kup and Dan grade instruction and promotion tests according to official Kukkiwon standards, based on the Taekwondo masters, and leadership-training programs designed for masters. read more news



CUTA officers and other CA leaders pictured with Dr. Chungwon Choue, President of the World Taekwondo Federation.
Mr. David Askinas, CEO of USAT and others prominent Grandmasters at the LA Airport Hilton Hotel, after the welcoming luncheon hosted by USAT on July 1, 2007.

california state tkd championship
Thank you and Congratulations to all the Competitors and Supporters for the 1st Annual California State Taekwondo Championship!
Tournament Winners List and Points Awarded
Go to the tournament page for a photo gallery and video from the June 23, 2007 event



The CUTA (California Unified Taekwondo Association) has been formed to reunite our state into one unified organization with common goals. Filed as a 501c3, the California Unified Taekwondo Association is a non-profit organization. The new state organization will be producing the California Southern and Northern State Championships, developing the California Team programs, and providing coaching and referee seminars. The California Unified Taekwondo Association is a way that Taekwondo practitioners throughout the state will be able to remain organized and connected as a community through the support of Taekwondo development activities including tournaments, seminars, clinics, state black and color belt teams in order to improve Taekwondo as an Olympic Sport. CUTA proudly supports USA Taekwondo sanctioned programs and events.

For more information, please contact Master Yushen Lai at:
310-212-6010 or



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