2023 Kim’s Idaho Taekwondo Championship Tournament
On the morning of Saturday, March 11, Mr. Albert Dyk’s taekwondo students were ready to demonstrate their abilities after many days, weeks, and months of training.
These students were the only team representing Nevada in a tournament with other states including Oregon, Washington, Montana, and Idaho.
Instructor Dyk was thrilled to speak on the advancement of his students.
“My current students attended the Boise tournament and they progressed very well. They have been training for several months and putting in good weekly work in training,” the instructor explained.
Some students were dedicated to their practice outside of the dojo and Mr. Dyk was appreciative of that.
“At the tournament their hard private work paid off. It was a great learning experience and they [the students] were able to meet other competitors from other areas of the country who also enjoy the art of taekwondo,” said Albert.
Twelve-year old student and one of the class leaders, Mercedes Ibarra, was not expecting to do so well but she had lots to say about her two first place awards.
“I was aiming to do my best but I did not expect to get first place. I am very happy that I did though. A lot of the competitors were good,” explained Ibarra.
Another blue belt and jujitsu student leader Idalia Anguiano said, “Consistent Taekwondo training has enhanced many people’s lives including my own. It is a fun way for me to release pent up energy and fight disease. It is a wholesome curriculum that cannot be bought, only earned through sustained physical and mental work. It is an inheritance for the master as well as the student. And I am thrilled to be able to practice Traditional Taekwondo and Self Defense in my community in Winnemucca.”
According to Master Cynthia Brown, one of the highest ranks in black belt, martial arts can be viewed as a lifetime journey. Master Brown had good things to say about Mr. Albert Dyk.
“He is a longtime Kim’s Taekwondo instructor and student of martial arts. He also participated in the Boise tournament and advanced to a 4th degree black belt. We were happy that he also brought his students from Winnemucca,” continued Brown. “We got to see how well they are doing. Our style of martial arts focuses on the mind and body. We workout hard at classes to get a good sweat and use our self-discipline to achieve goals. This builds self-confidence in ourselves.”
Mr. Albert was featured in Black Belt Magazine for 12 days of Kick - Mas. With his passion for taekwondo being already very apparent, he has a quote of wisdom with relation to life that he shared.
“As one holds a cloak that is wet, the cloak will drip from top to bottom. The only way to pass true life arts down is by having a healthy top and bottom within the solid structure of the cloak,” shared Dyk.