THUNDER BAY - After five strenuous years of training, two brothers became the first autistic children in Thunder Bay to earn the Tae Kwon Do black belt.
Andrew DeCorte proudly watched as his two sons, Gavin, 12 and Lucas, 10, took centre stage Saturday at Black Tigers Tae Kwon Do to receive their hard-earned black belts.
Decorte teared up during the ceremony as his youngest son, Lucas, stood in front of the class and read an essay he had written about Tae Kwon Do and what the sport meant to him.
“It was quite a memorable event,” said DeCorte, struggling to describe the pride he felt for both his sons' accomplishments.
“They’ve come leaps and bounds from when they first started five and a half years ago.”
Decorate explained the boys’ Tae Kwon Do calling wasn’t smooth sailing at first. They were both out of focus and were unable to complete a single pattern, which is a set of movements in a logical sequence to help deal with opponents.
Patterns are an indication of a student’s progress; a master’s gauge in evaluating student’s technique.
“I think the first three belts they did the same thing over and over again. They gradually improved and started remembering routines and patterns until now, they know a tremendous amount,” DeCorte said.
He feels Tae Kwon Do has helped the boys immensely in motor skill improvement, balance, physiotherapy and even focus in the classroom.
DeCorte foresees Gavin and Lucas aspiring to more championships as they take their skills to the next level.
“The boys are ecstatic. They are absolutely excited for what’s to come,” DeCorte said.
Head master Sang Gyu Seung couldn’t express in words as a Master how proud he was of the two boys.
“They want to learn always and they are focused, when I see them like that I’m so proud all the time. That’s why I’m here and that’s why I am teaching Tae Kwon Do,” Seung said.
