ATA World Expo Brings Taekwondo Competition and Training to Little Rock June 27-July 3
If you visit downtown Little Rock this week, you may notice a few more black belts than usual. ATA International, the martial arts organization dedicated to to the discipline of Taekwondo, celebrates its annual World Expo at the Statehouse Convention Center from June 27-July 3.
The week-long expo includes martial arts seminars, training sessions and a highly-anticipated competition from competitors around the world, including Africa, South America, Europe, Australia and South Korea. Here's the lineup for the 2016 event:
Wednesday, June 29
This year’s traditional Masters Ceremony will be held at 8 p.m. in the H.U. Lee International Gate and Garden in downtown Little Rock. The 2016 Masters class will welcome dozens of new Masters, Senior Masters and Chief Masters. The highlight will be the ascension of two of ATA’s founding members, Chief Master Robert Allemier and Chief Master William Clark, to the title of Grand Master. ATA has only bestowed the rank of Grand Master to four individuals since its inception in 1969.
Thursday, June 30
The Tournament of Champions, open to the public, kicks off June 30 and continues through July 1 at the Statehouse Convention Center. Thursday’s competition (beginning at 4:30 p.m.) will include the tricks, flips and martial arts acrobatics of ATA-Xtreme.
Friday, July 1
Friday’s Tournament of Champions (beginning at 1:30 p.m.) will showcase the traditional competitors in forms, weapons, point sparring and combat weapons sparring. For these elite martial artists, the championship events mark the culmination of a year of hard work at regional, district and national ATA tournaments to earn a coveted spot among the Top 10 students in their respective divisions.
At 6 p.m., ATA hosts its Family Fun Night in the Riverfront Amphitheater; however, the event is closed and will only admit ATA licensees, members and friends to enjoy rides, food and more.
Saturday, July 2-Sunday, July 3
Saturday and Sunday begin the new tournament season, and students will begin earning points to be State or World Champions in 2017. ATA students of all ages and ranks are invited to participate at the Statehouse Convention Center.
All competition June 30-July 3 is open to the public. A $20 pass includes entry for all four days of competition; or $10 per day; children ages 5 and under are free.
For more info, visit ATAOnline.com/Worlds.