With only four days remaining until Master Devita's tournament, Team Seven Star still has some work to do. Sparring was very good today, with some very interesting and lively fights between the students. There were some good combinations and a lot of clean points scored. There were some reminders to keep hands up and to get out of the corners but overall everyone didi a pretty good job. 
   Forms, on the other hand left a little to be desired today. It seems like the Team always likes to give Mr. McManus a mini panic attack the week of competitions but then turns into mini Bruce Lee's the day of. We are hoping that's the case again, but we will still push for the best. 
   With only a two more class days to get all the kinks out, the Team has its work cut out for it but it's nothing they can't handle. Until next time, TANG SOO!!!

Smaller than usual classes tonight at the dojang but it allowed us to focus a bit more on fine tuning our forms for Master Devita's tournament. Tonight also saw the return of Mr. Tubiak after a little while away and a surgery. Everyone is making good progress as we continue our "Countdown to Nationals"

More to come later... TANG SOO Everyone!!!

   Team Seven Star was back at it last night. Even though we trained forms, sparring was the main focus of the evening. Form competition has been our strong point in the past and even though the Team has done well in Sparring competition, there's definitely room for improvement. The focus last night was on side stepping footwork and block and counter techniques. Still work to do but with just under 2 weeks until the tournament we are on the right track. 
   Here's how the Team looks after Last night classes

- Mr. McManus
- Alysa Cayer-McCarthy
- Bianca Abad
- Shannon Cayer-McCarthy
- Cayla Cayer-McCarthy
- Sean Cronin
- Aaron Wang
- Ariana Wang
- J'nae Alverado
- Jaden Smith
- Jayme Tuttle

   11 competitors on the Team to kick off the first tournament of the year!! That may be our best 1st comp line-up yet.

Don't forget that you too can be a part of our competition and demo team. With a little training it's easier than you think. Come see us at 210 Main Street in Ansonia or visit www.sevenstsrTSD.com

The Team has been sharpening up their forms and will continue work on sparring drills up until the tournament date. 
It's been a while since the last one and everyone is eager to get back at it. 

   The 2014 tournament season is right around the corner!! This year looks to be another good one for Team Seven Star. The Tang Soo Do Mi Guk Kwan National Championship will be held this year in Stamford, CT. It's great to have the Championship back in CT. Last years tournament was held in Texas and unfortunately, Team Seven Star was unable to make the trip to compete. This year however, with the competition being held in a more local setting, The Team will be able to show up in force and hopefully match or exceed the success of the 2012 Nationals where 10 Team Seven Star members took 13 National titles and 20 Trophies home. 
   
   In just 2 weeks time, Master Devita will be hosting the first tournament of the year. His tournament, held in Greenwich, CT, is great for getting new competitors acclimated to the tournament atmosphere and at the same time, helps our veteran competitors get back in the swing of things.
   So far our team is looking strong for the first tournament. Our tentative list of Team Seven Star competitors for the opening competition looks like this:
   
   Charles McManus - 3rd Dan, Team Coach
   Bianca Abad - 3rd Gup, Team Captain
   Sean Cronin - 6th Gup
   Aaron Wang - 6th Gup*
   Jayme Tuttle - 7th Gup*
   Jaden Smith - 8th Gup
   Kenneth Dong - 10th Gup*
   Kevin Dong - 10th Gup*

* Rookie Team Seven Star Members

   New for this year, the highest ranking team member attending the event (besides Mr. McManus) will be designated the 'Team Captain'. The Team Captain will be chosen about 1 month from the tournament date. It will be this persons job to help motivate the team during training in the weeks leading up to the event.

   Through this blog, we will update you on the status of the team and the progress of our training as we countdown to Nationals for 2014!!