USA Open Taekwondo in Austin Texas, Confirmed G-2 Event

USA Taekwondo has received official word from he World Taekwondo Federation that the 2011 U.S. Open has been granted a G-2 rating for the third straight year. The 2009 U.S. Open was the first to achieve the high rating from the WTF and the only other 2011 events to be awarded G-2 status are the Korea Open and the British Open.

A G-2 rating means that prestigious international opens such as the U.S. Open carry more weight toward world-ranking points for participants of those events. The 2011 U.S. Open will be held Feb. 17-21 in Austin, Texas.

World's best set to compete in U.S. Open

USA Taekwondo's 2011 U.S. Open will be held at the Austin Convention Center in Austin, Texas, Feb. 17-21. This year’s event marks the 20^th annual installment of the event and features a star-studded field of over 1,000 athletes, including numerous world and Olympic medalists.

There will be 55 nations represented, including 29 national teams from Azerbaijan, Brazil, Cameroon, Congo, Costa Rica, Croatia, Denmark, Ecuador, El Salvador, France, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Great Britain, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong, India, Israel, Ivory Coast, Martinique, Mexico, Morocco, Puerto Rico, Senegal, Serbia, Sweden, Tahiti and Uzbekistan. The U.S. contingent will represent 40 states.

“We are pleased to celebrate the 20^th Anniversary edition of the U.S. Open in Austin, Texas,” said USAT CEO David Askinas. “Austin is not only the capital of Texas but will also be the capital of the taekwondo world from February 17-21, 2011. The City of Austin is a vibrant metropolis that is building its international reputation.

Exciting nightlife, restaurants and a beautiful convention center make Austin a great destination for our U.S. Open participants.  We will again have a world class field competing in the world’s premier open taekwondo competition.  This is the arena for up-and-coming fighters to test their skills against World and Olympic champions.  Our poomsae competition day will kick off the event and many world medalists will be on hand to showcase their talents.  The 20^th year of the US Open should prove to be the best one yet.”

For the second straight year, the World Taekwondo Federation has given the U.S. Open a G-2 rating. Only two other international opens have a grade that high.

Competition begins at 9:00 a.m. each day and discount ticket packages may be purchased clicking in the page web.

The event will utilize the LaJust Electronic Body Protectors as the scoring system for all black belt sparring divisions.

In addition, competition matches will be available for viewing on tape delay at www.dartfish.tv/usat.
Some of the marquee names competing in this year’s U.S. Open include:

Nia Abdallah (USA) - Female Welterweight

• 2007 World Championship bronze medalist
• 2004 Olympic silver medalist

Yasmina Aziez (FRA) – Female Flyweight

• 2009 World Championship bronze medalist

Aaron Cook (GBR) - Male Welterweight

• 2008 Olympian
• 2008 Junior World Champion 

Gwladys Epangue (FRA) – Female Heavyweight

• 2009 World Championship gold medalist

Cheyenne Lewis (USA) – Female Flyweight

• 2010 World Junior Championship gold medalist

Sebastien Michaud (CAN) - Male Welterweight

• 2009 World Championship bronze medalist
• 2007 World Championship bronze medalist

Maxime Potvin (CAN) - Male Lightweight

• 2009 World Championship bronze medalist

Karine Sergerie (CAN) – Female Lightweight

• 2008 Olympic silver medalist

Sarah Stevenson (GBR) – Female Lightweight
2008 Olympic bronze medalist

Fuente y foto: For Bill Kellick - USA TAEKWONDO.