(Slide Show contains 14 images)

Ryan has been a serious student of martial arts for the past 8 years.  He received his black belt when he was just 9 years old. 

It is amazing to watch these people gather from all over, to demonstrate excellence and sportsmanship in competition. 

There are action shots, my daughter Jill took with my camera, in the slide show above.  In spite of the size difference, my dark-haired grandkid, and the taller blonde kid (Brad), are the same age!  They are also friends - which is a really good thing! 

Among the Top 10 contestants in the Forms competition of the tournament, Brad came in 1^st Place, with Ryan scoring 2^nd Place.  Only 1/10^th of a point separated them!  Brad is the spitting image of the guy that played the antagonist, in the original Karate Kid movie filmed in the 1980s.  But Brad is much nicer:-)

All in all it was a good day!  Grandkid Ryan came in 1^st Place in the Weapons division (He's very good with sharp pointed objects).  In addition to the 2^nd Place in the Top 10 Forms competition, he managed a 3^rd Place in another event as well.

The dark haired man, standing next to Ryan is his instructor of many years, Master Gonzales - a 5^th degree black belt.

The event culminated wonderfully, with a very moving Tea Ceremony, where the approximate 150 tournament participants witnessed awards and belt promotions being given.

One of the last photos is of Ryan having a sword touch each shoulder, by Grand Master J. H Lee, 9^th degree black belt.  Grand Master Lee is the founder of the United World Taekwondo Association.  He also was the instructor of three of my children, and their father, back in the 1970s. 

Grand Master Lee awarded Ryan his 3^rd degree black belt during the ceremony.  The two of them are pictured together in the last photo of the slideshow.

For video, you can click on this link to view Ryan's "Weapons" competition and his "Forms" competition.