Audrey Yap reaching for heights in martial art THIRTEEN-YEAR-OLD Audrey Yap knows the meaning of the word con- centration, By A.P. McCredie Sports Reporter An accomplished black belt in full-contact tae kwon de. Yap has taken the focus and mental balance elements of the ancient Korean martial art and applied them to every facet of her life. Yap became involved in the discipline of tae kwon do when she dropped an carly interest in eymnastics a age seven. Her fa- ther enrolled her in a tie kwon do class that friends of the Yap ftami- ly were involved in. “My father thought it would be good for me to learn tae kwon do." recalled the teenager. After the first year of learning the basic moves and blocks — ‘when [ first started it was kind of confusine’’ — Yap began competing in local tae kwon do tournaments. “I've never really concentrated on competing,’ said Yap. “t still lock upon tournaments as a way to improve for myself, nothing else.** Her casual attitude about com- peting, however, hides what must be a strong, focused competitive instinct. Last month Yap travelled with 34 members of the North Shore Tae Kwon Do Centre to Lynn- wood, Washington, to compete in the American Tae Kwon Do Asscciation district champion- ships. Yap captured first place in both the sparring and forms competi- tion. RecCentre THE LONSDALE recCen- tre is offering a number of ‘programs in the new year to shed those turkey pounds added during the holiday season. Dates refer to the startup day for each program. Jan, 4: Mixed, men’s, ladies’ and senior curling leagues begin. Morning, afternoon and evening times available. Registration deadline is Jan. 10. New players welcome. Call Joyce (983-6417) or Mark (986-5719) for more intor- mation. Jan. 5: The North Van cunning clinic resumes after the Christmas break. All levels meet at Lonsdale Tuesday & Thursday evenings and Saturday mornings. Pace groups are organized according to ability. Call 987-PLAY to register. Jan. 9: A junior curling league for kids 10 years and older meets Saturday mornings until March i3, or Tuesday. late afternoons until March 16. Coaching is pro- TAE KWON DO BLACKBELT Audrey Yap geis a kick out of competing either in the gym or in the classroom. The 13-year-old North Vancouver grade nine student will be travelling to Oregon in the new year with the hope of adding to her growing trophy collection. Wednesday, December 23. NEWS photo Terry Peters 1992 ~ North Snore News - 13 44 / still look upon tournaments as a way to improve for myself, nothing else. 9¥ To attain such a high level of skill at any sport takes a great deal of practice, and tae kwon do is no different. Yap is at the North Shore Tae Kwon Do Centre four evenings a week and on Saturday. Success in other aspects of her life include wrestling on the Balmoral secondary school wres- ding team ands attainine high marks in her studies. Last vear Yap won honors for having the highest marks in French immession, science, English, and math in her Grade 8 class. And as far as wrestling is con- cerned — she is one of four fe- male wrestlers on the Balmoral team — Yap sees distinct similari- ties between tac kwon. do and wrestling. “They are similar sports because you have to learn to con- centrate and focus on what you are doing,’ Yap said. She added that she is used to Pressure situations from her six- year involvement in competitive tae kwon do. And how does this dynamo keep all these different balls in the air at one time? ‘Time management,” she said. “You learn to do whatever you can whenever you can.”’ When asked what her future plans are, Yap said ‘‘something to do with animals, like «a veterinarian.”” Packing accomplishments into just 13 short years, it would be a safe bet that this North Vancouver teenager will accomplish whatever she sets her mind, and body, to in the future. ” Lonsdale sets dates for new year programs vided as are opportunities for games against other clubs. Some equipment is available. Call Joyce at 983-6417 for details. Jan. 10: A mixed social curling league for adults begins at Lons- dale recCentre, meeting Sundays until Feb. 25, between 2 and 4 pom. Af) levels are welcome and coaching will be provided for beginners. For more info call Joyce at 983-6417 or Mark at 986-5719, dan. 10: Water running provides alternatives to training for runners who are looking for a change or want to continue their workout if injured. Janka Corewsn, a Lower Mainland water running expert, is back at the reeCentre to follow ap on her Fall) workshop. and to teach beginners. The class takes place Sundays, between 9 aad 11:30 am. Call 987-PLAY to reg- ister, dan. 1S: Olympic athlete Lynn Williams will be teaching a run- ning program for beginner joggers and wanna-be runners on Fridays, from 10 to 1 a.m. Williams will gradually lead beginners through progressive training to improve strength and eaduranee, and pro- vide health and lifestyle informa- tion, Call 987-PLAY for registra- tion details. Jan. 19: A weight training clinic for teens IS to {7 years old will cover sport-specific training with emphasis on physical develop- ment, muscular strength and en- durance to improve athletic inju- ries. Tuesdays, 7 to 8 p.m., Jan. 19 & 26. For more info call 987- PLAY. Jan. 23: A women-and- weight-training clinic will teach basic principles with demonstra- tion and practice of proper tech- nique in Part ), Saturdays, 9:15 to H:15 a.m. from Jan. 23 to Jan. 30. Part 2, beginning Feb. 27, follows up with more advanced and challenging workouts — in- cluding split programs, super sets and sport-specific training. For more info call 987-PLAY. Feb. 2: Strength training for teens (12- to 14-year-olds) allows boys and girls to learn correct ways to develop Strength, car- diovascular fitness and prevent in- juries. Suited to youths that are already involved in sports or ones that are fooking for ways to get involved in physical activity. Bruce Hunt, Lonsdale recCentre's fitness consultant, will lead this practical overview Feb. 2 and 9, 7 to 8 p.m.. Call 987-PLAY for more info. Families train in Shoto-Ryu at Cap Sportsplex stronger family bonds are created A UNIQUE martial arts program that allows all family members to train in the same class at the same time is being offered at the Capilano College Sportsplex. Shoto-Ryu karate classes begin Monday, Jan. 4° and are held Monday and Wednesday evenings from 6:15 p.m to 8:15 p.m. Shoto-Ryu is traditional Japa- hese karate emphasizing long stance, balance, timing and ex- plosive movements. The instrue- Gon strongly centres around for- mal basic exercises to develop an understanding of how to make power, “By allowing families to train in the same program together, and deepened,’ said instructor Frank Mostad. ‘Families now share another facet of their lifestyle that they would not nor- mally share.’’ For more information about the Shoto-Ryu karate course, contact Arleta Beckett at 983-6508. eee pr A EO