|
|
AMERICAN TAE KWON DO ACADEMY Frank R. Coppola III-President |
|
|
TONY JOHNSON |
|
|
It all started for Tony when he ran into Frank
Coppola at a health fair at work.
Frank was there promoting the health benefits of TKD and starting a
class at the work facility. Tony had
been a competitive bowler for 22 years – working three different leagues -
and was looking for another sport.
That encounter with Frank started Tony in a fresh direction at the age
of 30 - proving it’s never too late to find a passion. Over the next decade Tony earned his 3rd
degree black belt and proceeded to set up schools in Livingston and His prior competitive team experience emphasized
the value of teams – TKD adds a healthy dose of self reliance and presents
people with an individual challenge – a chance to test yourself. Tony’s greatest source of satisfaction is
in watching this sense of confidence grow in new white belts. “Just keep coming and do the best you can
and you will soon move up the belts!” For those with more experience, Tony’s message is
“there are no limits”. He started when
he was 30 and, due to a case of Cerebral Palsy, Tony’s left side is smaller
and weaker than his right. His left
foot is a size 10.5 and his right foot is a size 12. Like others, Tony joined ATKDA for the sport – but
stayed because of the friendships formed. “There is a great deal of
camaraderie here and in one moment I will be trading kicks and blocks with
someone – and in the next moment be out with them as some of my personal
friends!” He may have a smaller left foot – but he can sure
use it – as some of his ‘personal friends’ have found out! |
|
|
|
|
