PYLE TWINS BRING TWICE THE FUN TO TAEKWONDO AND SOCCER

In March of 2004, twin brothers James and William Pyle were second graders at McAlpine Elementary with their sights set on learning to write cursive, playing soccer and beginning third grade at the new Endhaven Elementary School in the fall.  The twins were very content with soccer and not really looking to find a new sport.  Little did they know what they were walking into when they stepped inside a room for a Taekwondo martial arts demonstration.  The unique event was hosted by the students of Ms. Roseann DeTommaso of DeTommaso’s ATA Black Belt Academy located in the Touchstone Village Shopping Center. The boys marveled at the children demonstrating running jump kicks, elbow strikes, punches and other self-defense moves. They thought the kids breaking boards with their hands, feet and elbows were awesome. James and William were eager to join the Academy.

After two high-energy introductory classes and sharp new uniforms, James and William were hooked. They soon made a commitment to do all the work necessary to earn the honor of becoming a black belt in Taekwondo. They also made a commitment to work together on their Taekwondo to help each other succeed.  The classes were fun, highly energetic and focused not just on learning Taekwondo forms and techniques, but also on learning important life skills such as courtesy, perseverance and self-discipline.

Being very goal oriented, James and William worked hard to learn the forms, techniques and board breaking requirements for each of the progressive belts of achievement. This was accomplished with the instruction and encouragement of Ms. DeTomasso, former ATA World Champion, 6th degree black belt and Sergeant, Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department. A part of becoming an ATA black belt is demonstrating respectfulness, a positive attitude, a desire to learn and a strong work ethic. While the kids’ focus is on becoming black belts, Ms. DeTommaso’s focus is on building great kids who will be role models and leaders of the future.

Ten minutes with James and William and it’s easy to see the level of respect and discipline they have learned from not only Taekwondo but their parents, Steve and Kim Pyle.

“We are really proud of the boys and how they have grown and developed through Taekwondo,” Steve said. “Taekwondo has been such a positive influence for both the boys and has also helped them to improve as soccer players.”

On June 9th, the final day of classes this year, the rising 5th graders successfully tested and received their first-degree black belts. With the encouragement of Ms. DeTommaso, they also continued their academic success by once again bringing home straight A’s on their report cards.

Because Taekwondo has an enormous impact on kids’ balance, strength and coordination, the boys’ soccer play has excelled and they’ll be playing together on the South Charlotte Soccer Association U11 Classic soccer team in the Fall.

“We have a lot of fun in both Taekwondo and in soccer,” James said. “Our instructors work very hard to help us in sports and in the classroom.  I think Taekwondo is a very good idea for other kids looking to become better athletes and better students.”

William agrees with his brother James and talked about how working together in Taekwondo has helped them in soccer as well.

“We both work real hard and always practice both sports together. I don’t know if it’s because we are twins or not, but we always seem to know what the other is going to do in soccer, that’s a big help.”

As helpful as Taekwondo has been for the soccer games, it has also led to trouble on the field.  On a couple of occasions, both boys have received penalties for kicking too high. Those Taekwondo kicks don’t impress the soccer referees very much!

The South Charlotte Sports Report congratulates James and William Pyle for achieving the rank of Black Belt and we wish them the best on the soccer field this fall.