Tag: Taekwondo

ATHERTON, Calif. — Menlo College Taekwondo completed a landmark 2025–2026 season defined by rapid growth, national team selections, international competition, and a series of podium finishes that firmly established the program among the nation’s elite.

From its earliest competitions in fall 2025 through a breakthrough spring 2026, the Oaks demonstrated a consistent ability to compete at the highest levels of collegiate and international taekwondo. Though still in its early stages as a program, Menlo Taekwondo has built a reputation for developing high-performance athletes while fostering a culture rooted in discipline, resilience, and global ambition.

“I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished as a team in our first year. We’re building something special, and this is just the beginning. This season was about more than results. It was about building a culture, proving we belong on the national and international stage, and setting the standard for what Menlo College Taekwondo will become.”  – TJ Curry, Head Coach

A Strong Start on the National Stage

The season opened with immediate impact at the 2025 U.S. Season Final & Sport Festival, where freshmen Christina Chavez and Jaslyn Yu-Hian set the tone for the year ahead. Chavez delivered a dominant run to capture gold in the bantamweight division, defeating higher-seeded opponents in each round, while Yu-Hian secured bronze in her national-level debut. Canadian students Jacob Boodoo and Sophia Flokas competed and took gold at the Taekwondo Ontario Provincial Championships.

Their performances signaled the arrival of a new program ready to contend. All four athletes showcased composure and technical precision, laying the foundation for a season that would quickly expand beyond domestic competition.

Gaining Ground Internationally

Menlo Taekwondo wasted no time stepping onto the global stage. At the 2025 Muju World Taekwondo Grand Prix in South Korea, athletes Sarah Grabot, Kylie Lewis, and Nicholas Carlo competed against Olympic medalists and world champions.

While podium finishes proved elusive at this early stage, the experience proved invaluable. Carlo secured a first-round victory, while Lewis and Grabot gained exposure against elite international competition. The event served as a benchmark, reinforcing the program’s long-term potential and readiness to compete globally.

Lewis continued to build on that experience as a member of the U.S. National Team, competing at the World Taekwondo Championships in Wuxi, China from October 24–30. Facing top international talent, the event provided critical high-level experience that has fueled her current run of success on the international stage.

That global presence continued throughout the fall semester, with Menlo athletes competing across five countries and multiple elite events. The team’s growing confidence quickly translated into results, including:

• Gold medals at the USA Taekwondo Grand Prix Final
• Strong performances at the Taekwondo Ontario Provincial Championships
• A deep run by Kylie Lewis at the World Taekwondo U21 Championships in Nairobi

Building a Championship-Caliber Foundation

A critical component of Menlo’s success this season has been its investment in elite coaching. Assistant coaches Jae Sung Lee and Julia Vasconcelos dos Santos Penfield brought world-class experience to the program.

Lee was the previous Qatar National Team coach. As an athlete, he was on the Korean National team and was also a member of the Samsung Pro Team. He brings over two decades of international competition and coaching experience in high-pressure environments. Meanwhile, Penfield, a former Brazilian National and Olympic Team member, added technical expertise and performance training insight.

Together, the coaching staff has helped shape a program identity focused on high-level preparation, international standards, and athlete development.

Breakthrough at U.S. Team Trials

The spring semester marked a turning point for the program, highlighted by a historic performance at the U.S. Team Trials in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Nicholas Carlo, Kaitlyn Marie Reclusado, and Kylie Lewis each earned gold medals in their respective divisions, qualifying for the U.S. National Team. Their achievements positioned Menlo College among a select group of programs producing national team athletes and underscored the rapid rise of the Oaks on the national stage.

• Carlo dominated the +87kg division with a series of decisive victories
• Reclusado delivered a standout freestyle poomsae performance to secure gold
• Lewis defeated multiple national champions to win the -73kg bracket

Continued Success at State and Collegiate Events

Momentum carried into April as Menlo athletes delivered another standout performance at the NCTA Team Trials and the USA Taekwondo California State Championships in Fresno. Nicholas Carlo and Kaitlyn Reclusado each added to their remarkable seasons with gold medal performances at the Team Trials, earning spots on the Collegiate National Team and the opportunity to represent Team USA at the FISU Pan American Championships in July. Shayler Guymon and Sam Aloubeady each secured a bronze medal in a highly competitive bracket. Carlo and Reclusado continued their dominance at the state championships, each capturing gold to cap off an impressive weekend for the Oaks.

Continued International Success and Individual Excellence

Menlo’s momentum extended beyond domestic competition with standout performances at two of the sport’s premier international events, the U.S. Open and the Canada Open.

Kylie Lewis and Nicholas Carlo each earned bronze medals at the Canada Open, with Lewis adding a silver medal to her impressive international resume. Their performances reinforced Menlo’s growing presence on the global stage and ability to consistently reach the podium against elite international competition.

Kaitlyn Reclusado continued what has been one of the most dominant individual seasons in program history. She captured gold medals at both the U.S. Open and Canada Open, extending an undefeated run that has defined her year. Kylie Lewis also walked away with a silver medal, adding more to her list of achievements.

Reclusado’s remarkable season included gold medal performances at every event she entered, highlighted by a gold medal at the FISU World University Games. She also earned a place on the U.S. National Team and is currently ranked No. 2 in the world, solidifying her position among the top athletes in international taekwondo.

Her consistency, composure, and elite execution have not only set a new standard for Menlo College Taekwondo but have also elevated the program’s reputation on the world stage.

A Season Defined by Momentum

Across every phase of the 2025–2026 season, Menlo College Taekwondo demonstrated a clear trajectory: rapid growth, competitive resilience, and increasing success at the highest levels. What began as a promising new program has quickly evolved into a national contender with international aspirations.

Key highlights included:

• Multiple medalists at national and international competitions
• Three athletes qualifying for the U.S. National Team
• Gold medal performances across major domestic events
• Participation in elite global tournaments against world-class competition
• Continued investment in coaching, training, and athlete development

Expanding the Program’s Reach

Beyond competition, Menlo Taekwondo continued to invest in the future of the sport through initiatives like its Second Annual Elite Summer Training Camp, scheduled for July 2026.

The camp is designed to bring together high-level black belt athletes from across the country for intensive training, including technical development, sparring simulations, and strength conditioning.

This initiative reflects Menlo’s broader mission to serve as a hub for elite taekwondo development while strengthening its pipeline of future collegiate athletes.

Looking Ahead for the New Initiative

With a strong foundation now established, Menlo Taekwondo enters the next phase of its development with confidence and momentum. The program’s combination of elite coaching, international exposure, and high-performing student-athletes positions it for continued success in the years ahead.

“We’ve shown we can compete at the highest levels, and now the goal is to serve the broader taekwondo community by creating a grassroots sparring and poomse team.”  – TJ Curry, Head Coach

The program looks to expand with a General Taekwondo Program that serves a non-competition team. This new initiative will allow recruits to participate in Taekwondo while also pursuing their degree at Menlo College.

“By creating one of the first collegiate pathways in the nation for taekwondo, we’re expanding access for students to pursue the sport at any level while earning their bachelor’s degree here at Menlo College.” – Keith Spataro, Vice President for Athletics

As the Oaks look toward the 2026–2027 season, one thing is clear: Menlo College Taekwondo is no longer emerging; it has arrived.

About Menlo College

Menlo College is a private, non-profit institution offering four-year undergraduate and graduate degrees. Located in Atherton, California, in the heart of Silicon Valley, Menlo integrates academic excellence with leadership development and competitive athletics. Known for its strong business and psychology programs, Menlo prepares students to lead with confidence, integrity, and purpose.

Menlo College Athletics sponsors 14 intercollegiate sports and competes at the NCAA Division II level, with women’s flag football set to become the College’s 15th varsity program in 2026–2027.

For media inquiries, please contact:

Athletics Communications
Menlo College
athletics@menlo.edu