Eastchester Martial Arts Students Capture Gold Medals

A combination of skill, strength and confidence helped students from the Eastchester-based (WMAA) win seven gold medals at the Sparring/Grappling Tournament held at the Danbury Police Activities League Center back in March.

Four silver and five bronze medals were among the other prizes the students took home. The competition was sponsored by the Danbury Academy of Mixed Martial Arts. The WMAA students, ranging in age from 8-13 years-old, were among several young competitors from martial arts schools in the region to participate.

The team trained steadily for three months leading up to the event, and all of the students were encouraged to balance their martial arts training with school work and other activities, explained their instructors and owners of the academy, Chuck and Kara Giangreco.

The Martial Arts students incliuded: Trevor Frey, Matthew Kuo, Tommy Kuo, Aidan Connolly, Kevin Hernandez, Edouard Khawley, Dylan Kipp, Bobby Martin, Ryan Martin, Dan Rodriguez, and Zac Shearon,

"We're very proud of our team, all of whom learned to overcome the inherent fear and anxiety of facing an unknown opponent and still compete at a high level with excellent sportsmanship," said Giangreco.

"In martial arts competitions, the students train as a team, but unlike team-based sports, the athlete's success or failure is based on their individual performance," he continued.