Local instructor earns spot on national team

Claire Kim, head instructor at Victory Martial Arts in Huntington Beach, has earned a spot on the U.S. National Taekwondo team for the third straight year.

Kim accomplished the feat on July 3 by winning the gold medal in the Senior 1 Female Division at the U.S. National Team Trials at Ford Field in Detroit.

She will represent the U.S. women’s division at the World Championships in Istanbul, Turkey next December.

Last year, Kim reached the final round at the World Championships at Inchon, Korea where she earned a fifth-place finish.

At this year’s national team trials, 12 athletes competed in the Senior 1 Female Division. Kim advanced to the final round, where competitors were asked to perform two black belt forms (third- and fifth-degree). She was the final competitor to perform in the finals.

“At the end of my form, I stood nervously — and out of breath — to see my score,” said Kim, whose score of 8.000 was the highest score in the entire division.

“My competitors had stepped up the game tremendously, practicing the entire year for this event. I felt honored to compete with these women. Winning, however, is not the sole focus here. This event has given me an opportunity to challenge myself physically and mentally.”

After finishing fifth at the World Championships last year, Kim has her sights set on the podium in Istanbul.

“I’m shooting for a medal this time,” she said.

— Mike Sciacca