U.S. Martial Arts Team - South Texas

huge congratulations to Zach and Rodney on their well-earned promotions!

I’m extremely proud of both of you. Your hard work, dedication, discipline, and commitment continue to show. Keep pushing forward, keep growing, and keep setting the example for others.

You earned this! Keep up the great work! 💪🥋

🏆 U.S. Open ISKA World Martial Arts Championships 2026 – Final Team Results 🏆

What an unforgettable weekend at the U.S. Open ISKA World Martial Arts Championships!

Our athletes competed against some of the best martial artists from around the world, proudly representing the U.S. Martial Arts Team – South Texas, Christian Taekwondo League, and Team Crucible with honor, determination, and outstanding sportsmanship.

I couldn’t be more proud of every competitor. While medals are exciting, what impressed me most was the heart, discipline, perseverance, and respect each athlete displayed throughout the weekend.

🥇 Mason Gallardo

* 🥇 1st Place – Team Sparring
* 🥇 1st Place – Creative Forms
* 🥈 2nd Place – Traditional Forms
* 💥 Continuous Sparring – Disqualified after scoring a knockout in an outstanding performance.

🥇 Rodney Brown

* 🥇 1st Place – Traditional Weapons
* 🥈 2nd Place – Traditional Forms

🥇 Ariel Jing

* 🥇 1st Place – Continuous Sparring
* 4th Place – Creative Forms
* 4th Place – Point Sparring

🥇 Angel De Luna

* 🥇 1st Place – Board Breaking
* 🥉 3rd Place – Traditional Forms

🥇 Sofia De Luna

* 🥉 3rd Place – Creative Forms
* 🥉 3rd Place – Traditional Weapons
* 4th Place – Traditional Forms

🥇 Cheryl

* 🥇 1st Place – Traditional Forms
* 🥇 1st Place – Traditional Weapons
* 🥇 1st Place – Point Sparring

🥇 Nathan Thompson

* 🥈 2nd Place – Team Sparring
* 🥈 2nd Place – Padded Sword
* 🥉 3rd Place – Clash Sparring
* 🥉 3rd Place – Point Sparring

🥇 Dathan Thompson

* 🥈 2nd Place – Team Sparring
* 🥈 2nd Place – Clash Sparring

🥇 Jathan Thompson

* 🥇 1st Place – Padded Sword
* 🥇 1st Place – Flag Sparring

🥇 Zack Phillips

* 🥇 1st Place – Synchronized Team Kata
* 🥇 1st Place – Traditional Kata
* 🥇 1st Place – Adidas Traditional Weapons
* 5th Place – Traditional Weapons
* 9th Place – Sparring

🥇 Rodney Phillips

* 🥇 1st Place – Synchronized Team Kata
* 🥉 3rd Place – Traditional Weapons
* 🥉 3rd Place – Traditional Kata
* 🥉 3rd Place – Sparring

🥇 Danna Perez

* 4th Place – Point Sparring

🥇 Luna Gomez-Fuentes

* 🥈 2nd Place – Traditional Forms

⸻

This weekend was about much more than winning medals. It was about learning, growing, overcoming challenges, supporting one another, and becoming better martial artists.

To every athlete: thank you for trusting your training and giving your very best. You represented yourselves, your families, your schools, and your teammates with class and integrity.

To every parent, family member, coach, volunteer, and supporter: thank you for every prayer, every mile traveled, every early morning, every late night, and every word of encouragement. Your sacrifices make moments like these possible.

As coaches, we also learned a great deal this weekend. We celebrated many victories, but we also identified areas where we can continue to improve. Champions never stop learning, and neither will we.

When we totaled the results, our team earned an incredible 40 Top-10 finishes, including:

🏆 16 First Place finishes
🥈 9 Second Place finishes
🥉 9 Third Place finishes
⭐ 5 Fourth Place finishes
⭐ 1 Fifth Place finish
⭐ 1 Ninth Place finish

I am incredibly proud of this team. This is only the beginning of what I believe will be an amazing journey together.

Congratulations to the U.S. Martial Arts Team – South Texas, the Christian Taekwondo League, and Team Crucible!

Faith. Focus. Finish.

Alone we might be strong… Together we are unstoppable! 🇺🇸🥋

— Master Ram

🇺🇸 U.S. Open – Day 3 & Final Day Recap 🇺🇸

What an incredible way to finish the 2026 U.S. Open!

Today was another successful day, and we learned a great deal—not only about what we’re doing well, but also about the areas where we can continue to improve. That’s what competition is all about: learning, growing, and coming back stronger.

Representing USMAT – South Texas Region today were Ariel, Danna, Nathan, Dathan, Jathan, Zack, Rodney Phillips, and Mason. Representing Team Crucible were Eithen and Cass. I am incredibly proud of every one of you for stepping onto the competition floor with courage, confidence, and determination.

One accomplishment that deserves special recognition is that the majority of our athletes finished no lower than 4th Place. That may not sound like much to some people, but when you’re competing in divisions with 18 to 20 highly skilled competitors, earning a Top 4 finish is a tremendous achievement. Every match, every form, and every round required focus, discipline, and heart.

This tournament has shown us that we are moving in the right direction. We celebrated victories, learned valuable lessons, supported one another, and grew stronger as a team. Now it’s time to take everything we’ve learned back to the training floor and continue building toward even greater success.

To all of our athletes, coaches, coordinators, parents, families, and supporters—thank you. Thank you for believing in our vision, supporting our athletes, volunteering your time, and making this journey possible. We truly couldn’t do this without you.

A special thank you to Team Crucible for your friendship, teamwork, and sportsmanship throughout the event. It is always an honor to stand alongside you.

Tomorrow I’ll begin putting together our complete tournament report and final standings so we can celebrate all of our athletes and recognize everyone’s accomplishments.

Until then, thank you all once again for your prayers, encouragement, and support throughout this incredible weekend.

Together, we are stronger. Together, we are building champions—not only on the competition floor, but in life.

Coach/Master Ram
Head Coach – USMAT South Texas Region

Day 2 Group Picture

🇺🇸 U.S. Open – Day 2 Recap 🇺🇸

What an incredibly eventful and exciting day at the U.S. Open! Once again, our USMAT – South Texas Region athletes represented themselves, their families, and our team with excellence, determination, and heart.

Congratulations to everyone who stepped onto the competition floor today!

🏆 Mr. Zack and Mr. Rodney Phillips both earned 1st Place in Traditional Weapons.

🏆 Mr. Angelito earned 3rd Place in Forms with a form he learned only one week ago! That is a true testament to his dedication and hard work.

🏆 Mr. Mason captured 1st Place in Creative Forms and 2nd Place in Traditional Forms.

🏆 Sensei Hanna delivered another outstanding performance with an amazing forms presentation.

🏆 Sofia earned 3rd Place in Traditional Weapons and 3rd Place in Creative Weapons.

🏆 Mr. Rodney Brown brought home 1st Place in Traditional Weapons and 2nd Place in Traditional Forms.

🏆 Mrs. Sheryl had an outstanding day, earning 1st Place in both Traditional Forms and Traditional Weapons.

🏆 Sensei Mikail continued to lead by example, winning 1st Place in Traditional Weapons and 2nd Place in Traditional Forms.

These are just some of today's accomplishments. We had many more outstanding performances and memorable moments, and I'll share a complete after-action competition report once the tournament concludes.

I also want to extend my sincere appreciation to the U.S. Open arbitrators for handling several major situations today with professionalism, fairness, and grace. A very special thank you goes to Mr. Jeromy Roque, who spent much of the day putting out fires, solving problems, and keeping the tournament running smoothly. Your leadership and composure did not go unnoticed.

To our athletes, coaches, coordinators, and parents—thank you once again for another incredible day. The teamwork, communication, and support you showed one another are what make this team so special.

A very special thank you to Michelle for knowing the tournament rules so well and always making sure our athletes are treated fairly and protected. Having someone who pays attention to every detail is invaluable, and we are blessed to have you on our team.

Tomorrow is another day to learn, grow, and compete. Please continue to keep all of the athletes, officials, coaches, volunteers, and families in your prayers. May God grant everyone safety, wisdom, good sportsmanship, and protection as the competition continues.

I'm incredibly proud to be your coach.

Coach/Master Ram
USMAT – South Texas Region

**🇺🇸 Day 1 of the U.S. Open - Complete! 🇺🇸**

What an incredible first day at the U.S. Open!

I couldn't be more proud of our **USMAT – South Texas Region** athletes. Every single one of them represented our team with heart, discipline, and determination. While we'll make a few adjustments in some areas as we continue through the tournament, I am extremely pleased with today's performances and results.

A huge **thank you** goes out to all of our coaches, coordinators, and parents. Your hard work behind the scenes made a tremendous difference today. From making sure every athlete was in the correct ring to keeping up with the many last-minute schedule and ring changes, your dedication helped keep everything running smoothly. Trust me—we had a lot of changes today!

I also want to give a **very special thank you to Michelle and Martha**. Thank you both for preparing food for the team and making sure everyone had what they needed to stay hydrated, nourished, and re-energized throughout the long day. It may not always be seen, but your love, care, and servant's heart made a tremendous difference. Our athletes were able to stay focused and perform at their best because of everything you did behind the scenes. We truly appreciate you both!

One of the highlights of the day was having the opportunity to see and visit with **GM Crutrell, GM Coffman, Master Steele, USMAT Chairman Joey Harrison**, and many of my fellow USMAT coaches from across the country. I look forward to catching up with many more friends and martial artists over the next couple of days, as today's busy schedule didn't allow enough time.

I'd also like to give a very special thank you to my son, **Sensei Gio**, for taking such great care of the **Christian Taekwondo League** while we're away. And to my amazing wife, **Kayo**, thank you for always supporting me and standing beside me as I serve as the **USMAT South Texas Region Head Coach**. Your love and encouragement mean more than words can express.

Tomorrow is another full day of competition, and I'm excited to continue cheering on our athletes. I'll share another update tomorrow night.

Finally, I ask everyone to please keep all of the competitors in your prayers—not only our team, but every athlete who has traveled here from across the United States and many other countries. May God keep them safe, protect them from injury, and allow each one to compete with honor, respect, and the true spirit of martial arts.

**Let's finish strong!**

**Coach/Master Ram**
**USMAT – South Texas Region**

🥋 Join Me at the 27th IMACUSA National Training Camp & United States Martial Arts Hall of Fame! 🥋

I am honored and excited to announce that I will be teaching a seminar at this year's 27th IMACUSA National Training Camp during the United States Martial Arts Hall of Fame!

📅 Friday, July 17, 2026
🕚 11:00 AM

Whether you're a beginner, instructor, school owner, or Grandmaster, this is one of the premier martial arts events in the United States. You'll have the opportunity to train with outstanding instructors from across the country, learn new skills, build friendships, and be inspired by some of the very best in the martial arts community.

I would love to see my friends, students, fellow instructors, and martial artists there. If you've ever wanted to experience one of the best martial arts training camps in America, this is your chance!

Don't Wait!

✅ Pre-Registration Deadline: June 30, 2026

Save $25 by registering before the deadline.
Hotel special rates also end June 30, 2026.

📍 Reserve your hotel and register here:
www.unitedstatesmartialartshalloffame.com/event.html

I'll be presenting an exciting seminar, and I hope you'll come train with me. Let's learn, grow, and continue building stronger martial artists together.

See you in Tulsa, Oklahoma!

Respectfully,

Master Jose "Ram" Ramirez
5th Dan Taekwondo | 4th Dan American Tang Soo Do
Founder, Christian Taekwondo League
Head Coach, US Martial Arts Team – South Texas
President, South Texas US Martial Arts Foundation

Happy Father’s Day!

As we wrap up an incredible Battle of Atlanta weekend, I want to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude and appreciation to some truly amazing people.

First, a very special thank you to Mrs. Michelle. Your dedication, organization, and tireless work as our Team Coordinator helped keep everything running smoothly. So much of what happens behind the scenes often goes unnoticed, but please know that your efforts made a tremendous difference for every athlete, coach, and family who attended. We are blessed to have you on our team.

Mrs. Martha, thank you for being such a faithful and dependable support to Michelle throughout the event. Your willingness to step in wherever needed, your positive attitude, and your servant’s heart helped carry many responsibilities and made life easier for everyone around you. Your kindness and commitment did not go unnoticed.

Mr. Angel, thank you for handling so many important tasks and responsibilities throughout the competition. Your reliability, professionalism, and willingness to help wherever needed played a huge role in our success. We truly appreciate everything you did for the team.

Coach Rodney, thank you not only for your support as a coach but also for being a true friend. Your encouragement, wisdom, and genuine care for our athletes mean more than words can express. I am grateful for your friendship and honored to have you standing alongside us on this journey.

And finally, to all of our athletes who attended the Battle of Atlanta—I am incredibly proud of each and every one of you. Whether you brought home a trophy, won a match, faced a tough challenge, or simply stepped onto the competition floor, you represented yourselves, your families, your schools, and our team with courage and character.

The medals and trophies are wonderful, but what makes me proudest is the heart, discipline, respect, perseverance, and sportsmanship that you displayed throughout the event. You trusted your training, supported one another, and showed what it means to be part of something bigger than yourselves.

Thank you for your hard work, your sacrifices, and your commitment to excellence. Continue to train hard, stay humble, and never stop believing in yourselves. This is only one step in a much larger journey, and I cannot wait to see what God has in store for each of you.

I love you all, and I am honored to serve as your coach.

🥋🇺🇸 HELP SOUTH TEXAS ATHLETES ACHIEVE THEIR DREAMS 🇺🇸🥋

Every medal has a story.

Every athlete has sacrificed time, energy, and countless hours of training to pursue excellence. Behind every competition is a family making sacrifices, coaches volunteering their time, and young athletes working hard to represent South Texas with pride.

The South Texas US Martial Arts Foundation was created to help athletes who are committed to training, competing, and becoming future leaders in our communities. Your donation helps provide:

✅ Training equipment
✅ Uniforms and safety gear
✅ Healthy snacks and hydration
✅ Competition expenses
✅ Travel assistance
✅ Athlete development opportunities

Many of our athletes compete at local, state, national, and even international events, proudly representing South Texas and the United States.

No donation is too small. Every dollar makes a difference.

❤️ Please consider making a donation today and help us invest in the next generation of athletes, leaders, and role models.

🥋 Donate Here:
https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/support-south-texas-youth-martial-arts-athletes

📣 Please SHARE this post to help us reach more people.

Together, we can help South Texas athletes train harder, compete stronger, and achieve their dreams.

Support South Texas Youth Martial Arts Athletes Support South Texas Martial Arts Athletes🌟 Join Us in Making a Difference! 🌟At the South Texas US Martial Arts Foundation, we believe that every athlete deserves the opportunity to pursue their dreams, regardless of financial challenges. Through your support, we help provide training equipment...

What an amazing night of training!

Today, the athletes of the U.S. Martial Arts Team – South Texas Region were blessed to train with Grandmaster Lockhart, one of Texas’ most accomplished competitors and a martial artist with extensive international experience.

Thank you, Grandmaster Lockhart, for investing your time, knowledge, and wisdom into our athletes. Opportunities like this help shape the next generation of martial artists and leaders.

I am incredibly proud of all the athletes who attended and trained hard on a Friday evening. From Texas all the way to Colombia, it is inspiring to see athletes continuing to work toward their goals, support one another, and grow together as one martial arts family.

I also want to thank everyone who took a moment to check in, say hello, and stay connected. Strong teams are built through communication, encouragement, and genuine care for one another. Every message, every check-in, and every word of support helps strengthen our team and reminds us that we are all working toward something bigger than ourselves.

A very special thank you to Grandmaster Thompson, Sis Silvia, and Sensei Sylvia for stepping up and taking care of CTL while I was able to spend some quality time with family visiting from out of town. Your dedication, leadership, and willingness to serve are greatly appreciated. Knowing that CTL is in such capable hands is truly a blessing.

Tonight was a great reminder that success is not built alone. It is built through mentorship, friendship, teamwork, and a shared commitment to becoming better every day.

Thank you to all our athletes, coaches, families, and supporters for being part of this journey. The future of the U.S. Martial Arts Team – South Texas Region is bright because of each and every one of you.

🇺🇸 U.S. Martial Arts Team – South Texas Region

Together we train. Together we grow. Together we succeed.