Bloomfield Martial Artists Show Fighting Spirit At Taekwondo Championship

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — A trio of Bloomfield area athletes showed off the fighting spirit of the Universal Martial Arts school at the 2017 USA Taekwondo National Championship held last week in Detroit, with two of the fighters securing spots in the 2018 USA Taekwondo National Olympic Team and Junior Team trials.

According to Universal Martial Arts:

• Abrielle Pinto, who currently holds a gold medal as a New Jersey state champion, won a silver medal at the 2017 USA Taekwondo National Championships in the Black Belt Women’s Lightweight Division. With this great win, she now secures a spot in the 2018 USA Taekwondo National Olympic team trials.
• Anna Rutledge, known for being UMA’s "Zen Warrior" and a NJ state champion who previously held a gold medal, captured a silver medal at the 2017 USA Taekwondo Nationals Championship. This win secures her a spot in the 2018 USA Tae Kwon Do National Olympic junior team trials.
• Claire Winslow, who was one point shy of winning a medal, ended her last fight with a 25-24 split. Even though, she did who not medal, Claire amplified strength, determination, tenacity, and honor.

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Photos: Universal Martial Arts