Warrenton Student Wins Multiple Martial Arts State Champion Titles

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Warrenton, MO Daniel Boone Elementary student, Ryan Van Horn, earned seven Missouri State Champion titles in the American Taekwondo Association 2014-2015 Tournament Season. The American Taekwondo Association is a worldwide organization and is the largest Martial Arts organization in the U.S. Ryan competed against 9 and 10 year old black belt students from across the country to earn his titles in Sparring, Traditional Forms, Extreme Forms, Creative Forms, Traditional Weapons, Extreme Weapons, and Creative Weapons.

Ryan Van Horn and six of his fellow Excel Martial Arts students qualified for, and will compete in, the American Taekwondo Association District Championships on May 30th. Here they will go toe to toe with the best martial arts students from Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma in hopes of earning a District Champion Title. A District win would also qualify Ryan to compete in the World Championship tournament later in July. Additionally, Mr. Ryan Van Horn has been ranked Top Ten in the World for Traditional Weapons and Creative Forms making him already eligible to compete for the World Champion Title in those divisions.

Ryan Van Horn began training and competing in taekwondo five years ago and has consistently won State Championship titles each year. He says that what he likes most about taekwondo is that it is an activity that his whole family participates in. His favorite competition event is Extreme Weapons using his bo because he can add tricks and moves that are not allowed in traditional competition. Ryan Van Horn trains at Excel Martial Arts located at the Warrenton Outlet Mall in Warrenton, MO. Persons interested in the school can find more information by visiting their website at www.Excel-Martial-Arts.com, their facebook page at www.facebook.com/excel.n.life, or by calling 314-833-9235.