Taekwondo kicks the competitive spirit into high gear

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By Jacqueline Quynh, Multimedia Journalist - email

Taekwondo fighter performs roundhouse kick on opponent.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KTIV) -

The largest Martial Arts competition of the year was held in Sioux City Saturday.

Athletes from all over the region from preschool to adults competed in the 12th annual World TaeKwonDo Union Midwest Invitational Cup.

While 200 competitors took to the mats, more than double that were in the stands.

Interest in the sport has been on the rise in Siouxland since 2006.

One reason the efforts to fight childhood obesity.

"Secondly, the competitive piece teaches children a lot about life. What does it mean to face somebody in the ring, and if you can do that, you can face someone in the playground in the boardroom, in the classroom, anywhere in life," Michael White an organizer with White Tiger Martial Arts Academy said.

He also said that Sioux City has a rich history of martial arts, and that some students even go on to try out for the Olympics.

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Taekwondo kicks the competitive spirit into high gear - KTIV News 4 Sioux City IA: News, Weather and Sports

Taekwondo kicks the competitive spirit into high gear

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