Alternatively spinning, swinging and smashing with his bo staff, Xander Joros from the World Tae Kwon Do Center in Lake Worth demonstrated his bo staff skills and won second place at the U.S. Open ISKA World Martial Arts Championships held in July at the Coronado Springs Resort/Convention Center at Walt Disney World.
Joros won both second place in the Creative Weapons demonstration for 12-13-year-old Class A Black Belt Boys division and third place in Creative Forms demonstration for 12-13-year-old Class A Black Belt Boys division. Joros faced competition from martial artists from across the United States, Canada and South Africa.
Joros’ teammate Nicholas Henderson competed with kamas, which resemble small handheld sickles, in his division’s Creative Weapons demonstration.
Forms are routines set to a pattern of defense and attack motions, using kicks and empty hand techniques. Weapons with dulled blades can be wielded in synchronization with the competitor’s routine.
Hosted annually at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort in Orlando, the U.S. Open International Sport Karate Association (ISKA) World Martial Arts Championships draws more than 4,000 competitors from the United States and 50 other countries. It is a weekend when the best martial artists of all ages and all skill levels converge in one place.
The World Tae Kwon Do Center is located 6680 Lantana Road. Owned and operated since 1997 by Master Gina Anacleto, 5th dan black belt, the center teaches taekwondo sparring and self-defense classes. For more information, visit www.mytaekwondocenter.com or call (561) 434-9700.
ABOVE: Xander Joros (left) holds high his trophies in weapons and form demonstrations from the U.S. Open ISKA World Martial Arts Championship in Orlando beside his coach Master Gina Anacleto (right).
