Coach Master Miles Kiffmann (from left), Baba Sanchez-Cabrera, Sili Bertelsen and Coach Master Gunter Kiffmann pose for a photo after Bertelsen and Sanchez-Cabrera placed second and third, respectively, in their divisions at the AAU Taekwondo National Championships last week in Florida. Photo courtesy of Kiffmann’s Maui Elite Taekwondo

The Maui News

Two athletes from Kiffmann’s Maui Elite Taekwondo earned medals at the AAU Taekwondo National Championships, held July 2-8 in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Lesili “Sili” Bertelsen won silver after finishing runner-up in the male black belt 15-17 years old fin weight Olympic sparring event.

Bertelsen defeated Kailyr Knight in the quarterfinals and Jindal Arav in the semifinals before falling to Rayan Carpio in the final.

With his finish, Bertelsen qualified for the Olympic sparring national team trials, set for July 30-Aug. 2 in Des Moines, Iowa.

Kiffmann’s Josia “Baba” Sanchez-Cabrera won bronze in advanced 8-9 male flyweight Olympic sparring.

After wins in the round of 16 and quarterfinals, Sanchez-Cabrera lost two of three rounds to the eventual champion in the semifinals.