TMSA Taekwondo Club delivered a remarkable performance this weekend at the 2026 National Capitol Open Taekwondo Championship in Virginia, clinching a total of 14 medals from 14 competing student-athletes. The two-day event held on April 24–25 witnessed the Apex, North Carolina-based team securing 6 gold, 5 silver, and 3 bronze medals, confirming their dominance across elementary, middle, and high school divisions.
The podium sweep reflects the club’s deep commitment to structured youth development, with many elementary and middle school participants benefiting from roughly three years of focused training. This long-term investment in skill-building showed clearly, as TMSA athletes consistently displayed technical maturity and calm composure beyond their years.
Historic Participation and Recognition
TMSA’s participation marked a milestone as they became the first high school team to compete at this nationally recognized tournament, earning special recognition from event organizer Grand Master Hyo Joo Lee. The team received a large trophy and an award applauding this breakthrough, signaling expanding opportunities for school-based martial arts teams to enter prestigious competitions traditionally dominated by independent clubs.
Coach Bastug praised the squad’s discipline and perseverance, emphasizing the achievement’s importance beyond just medal counts:
“We are incredibly proud of our students—not only for their medals but for their discipline, perseverance, and sportsmanship,” Bastug said. “This accomplishment marks an important milestone for our program and sets a strong foundation for future success.”
Medal Details and Emerging Talent
The team’s gold medal winners reflected a strong showing primarily from younger competitors, including:
- A. Marikanti (1st Grade)
- Y. Senthilkumar (6th Grade)
- Z. Keskin (5th Grade)
- S. Aramadaka (3rd Grade)
- Z. Panchal (3rd Grade)
- S. Gandhi (5th Grade)
Silver medals went to participants spanning middle to high school levels including N. Uyar (8th Grade), A. Bastug (6th Grade), and the high school team members A. Sarka and Arov. Bronze medalists rounded out the group with athletes like M. Keskin and H. Thati, demonstrating a balanced pipeline progressing through multiple skill levels.
Community Support Drives Success
Beyond individual and team accomplishments, the role of family and school staff was critical. Ten out of the 14 athletes were supported by family members, creating a unified and spirited atmosphere that organizers credited for boosting morale throughout the event.
The club also publicly thanked school leadership and staff for their backing, including TMSA Triangle High School Principal Alden, TMSA Apex Principal Yuksekkaya, and staff members Mr. Pamuk, Mr. Yildirim, Ms. Sharma, Ms. Ensi, Mr. Philip, Mr. Iyigun, and Mr. Dogru. Their involvement exemplifies a growing synergy between academic institutions and extracurricular programs aimed at fostering leadership and engagement through athletics.
Looking Ahead: Sustaining Momentum
This breakthrough performance is expected to raise the team’s profile within regional and national taekwondo circuits, positioning TMSA for continued success. With a proven training model, a supportive community, and institutional backing, the program is well-equipped to expand its reach and achieve greater results in upcoming competitions.
For Colorado and U.S. readers, TMSA’s achievement is a vital example of how school-based sports programs can foster world-class talent while building essential life skills.
