Homegrown Champions: K.S. Choi Taekwondo Athletes Bring National Glory to Rancho Palos Verdes
This past July, the K.S. Choi Taekwondo Poomsae and Sparring Team proudly represented Rancho Palos Verdes at the USA Taekwondo National Championships in Ontario, California, where more than 3,000 athletes from across the nation competed.
After months of focused training, our local athletes—ages 7 to 24—brought home an impressive 13 National Champions (gold), 5 Silver Medals, and 4 Bronze Medals. Their success reflects not only individual excellence but also teamwork, discipline, and the guidance of Head Master Danny Choi and his coaching staff.
For over 3 decades, K.S. Choi Taekwondo has been representing the Hill with pride, training generations of martial artists who embody the core values of Taekwondo: respect, perseverance, integrity, and indomitable spirit. The results carry special meaning as every competitor is a Rancho Palos Verdes resident. They’re homegrown athletes who attend our local schools, play in our neighborhoods, and have dedicated themselves to become high level martial artists.
Among those who stood out at Nationals were: Aaron Zhu, Abigail Kim, Autumn Boyer, Bennett Kim, Brandon Zhu, Celine Zhu, Chloe Ng, Cody Tu, Eleanor Kim, Elon Villalobos, Ethan Sun, Harumi Otsuji, Ian Yoon, Jeramy Padunan, Jian Shin, Kingston Goh, Leia Villalobos, Micah Tu, Nathan Long, Nathan Tu, Noah Kim, Sean Weir, Shawn Seo, Sophia Shin, Sophia Tiu, Valentina Glines, Viraaj Totla, Wynonna Goh, and Zoe Beeston. Each one demonstrated determination, skill, and the true spirit of Taekwondo.
More than medals, these achievements represent the pride of our community. They remind us that champions are not only celebrated on the mat, but are also built right here in Rancho Palos Verdes through dedication, support, and tradition. As we celebrate these victories, we also honor the enduring legacy of the K.S. Choi family, which has proudly served the South Bay and Palos Verdes Peninsula since 1982.
This year marks their 40th anniversary, a milestone being commemorated with a special gala hosted by their nonprofit foundation to recognize decades of service and commitment to the community. With every tournament, every practice, and every new generation of students, K.S. Choi Taekwondo continues to raise leaders who represent “the Hill” with excellence, integrity, and pride.