Amerie Otake, Lucas Pacson and Lesili Bertelsen pose with their medals next to their coaches from Kiffmann’s Maui Elite Taekwondo at the U.S. Open Taekwondo Championships last weekend. Kiffmann’s Maui Elite Taekwondo photo

The Maui News

Three athletes from Kiffmann’s Maui Elite Taekwondo won medals at the U.S. Open Taekwondo Championships, held last weekend in Reno, Nev.

Lesili Bertelsen beat the No. 1- and No. 3-ranked U.S. competitors to win the junior men 48-kilogram division. He defeated Eric Frenkel before taking out Justin Bui in the gold-medal match 2-0.

Amerie Otake claimed another gold for Kiffmann’s when she won the youth girls 35kg division. She beat Ella Park 2-0 and Nyla Soubal 2-0 for the title.

In the youth boys 30kg division, Kiffmann’s Lucas Pacson won bronze after going 2-1 in his bracket. He beat Yuki Mori of Japan 2-0 and Graham Geisleman 2-1 before falling to eventual runner-up Leo Wang 2-0.