Kids strike at Olympics

Students earn gold at junior event in Florida

Duane Prokop/ViewBilly Callas, 9, a student of Allan Agustin’s, trains at the Centennial Hills YMCA. Ten students from Agustin’s class qualified for the Junior Olympics. Photos By Duane Prokop/ViewTop, Allan Agustin trains students at the Centennial Hills YMCA. Agustin said he has seen his students become confident and disciplined young men and women who could apply their skills beyond the martial arts mat. "Tae \uFEFFkwon \uFEFFdo helps you with everything in life," he said. Bottom, Alena Viana, 7, left, practices with Billy Callas, 9. Students meet three times a week to train. Duane Prokop/ViewAlisa Viana, 11, and Alena Viana, 7, second and third from left in foreground, respectively, practice tae kwon do at the Centennial Hills YMCA, 6711 N. Buffalo Drive. The sisters, who train with Allan Agustin, are two of four class members who won a gold medal in tae kwon do at the 2010 Junior Olympics in Orlando, Fla. Photos By Duane Prokop/ViewTop, Allan Agustin trains students at the Centennial Hills YMCA. Agustin said he has seen his students become confident and disciplined young men and women who could apply their skills beyond the martial arts mat. "Tae \uFEFFkwon \uFEFFdo helps you with everything in life," he said. Bottom, Alena Viana, 7, left, practices with Billy Callas, 9. Students meet three times a week to train. Advertisement

Whether the "thwack" sound on his glove comes from a pint-sized kicker or black belt-clad teen, tae kwon do instructor Allan Agustin hears the noise of champions.

"They're beating up my hands," he joked of the 20 or so boys and girls lined up behind him.

The group meets three times a week at the Centennial Hills YMCA, 6711 N. Buffalo Drive, to practice with peers and master the art of tae kwon do with Agustin.

Several members of his mixed group -- the class consists of boys and girls between 6 and 14 -- recently showed the country their stuff at the 2010 Junior Olympics in Orlando, Fla.

Ten students from Agustin's class qualified for the Junior Olympics by besting fellow Nevadans in the state tae kwon do championships.

Of the eight students who participated, four received gold medals and one received bronze.

Although the sparring team attends several competitions in Nevada and California each year, reaching the Junior Olympics is tops, Agustin said.

"That's our Super Bowl," he said.

Off the mat, Agustin stresses good grades -- above a C -- and for students to respect each other, their elders and others in the sport.

As a result, he has seen the young men and women blossom into confident, disciplined students who could use their skills beyond the YMCA mat, he said.

Agustin added that he has helped local policy makers and business professionals to achieve black belt level.

"Tae kwon do helps you with everything in life," he said. "It helps you be confident."

Grace Liberato's 12-year-old son Raimund has been studying with Agustin since 2005. He achieved black belt status and clinched a gold medal at the Junior Olympics.

"It made my son more disciplined, more focused, all around," she said. "He takes leadership roles at school now."

Liberato stood with a row of fellow tae kwon do parents watching the group during a recent practice. The parents gabbed about the 2010 Junior Olympics and joked about making it to next year's competition.

Carmen Viana, mom to Alisa, 11, and Alena, 7, showed off the girls' gold medals.

The pair, both green belts, lined up by level with their fellow classmates. For fun, the girls in the class wear ribbons bearing their team colors of orange, black and white around their ponytails.

The Viana girls turned to tae kwon do after they grew bored with cheerleading, Alisa said.

They discovered the class a year ago and haven't reached for the pompoms since.

Both girls won gold at the national championship.

They agreed that their favorite part of tae kwon do is sparring, but Alena marks a different favorite memory from her golden moment.

"It was so much fun when I knocked that boy down," she said.

Quickly, her sister shushed her and said, "Don't say that."

Agustin instructs the kids not to be boastful of their accolades and achievements.

"There is a difference between arrogance and confidence," he said. "I stress to them to walk tall but not to be arrogant."

Fellow gold medalist Blaise Carrillo, 7, has been studying with Agustin for two years and competed in the orange belt division.

He said he stays in the sport because "it's fun," and he keeps his gold medal in his room.

"I don't show it off," he said.

The group trains year-round.

Agustin said he believes the group will bring more gold medals home next year and beyond.

"We are building athletes here at the YMCA," he said.

Contact Centennial and Southeast View reporter Maggie Lillis at mlillis@viewnews.com or 477-3839.