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Regis Lima Martial Arts teams wins big at Disney meet

By Derek J. LaRiviere, St.Pete Times Correspondent
In Print: Wednesday, November 4, 2009

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Team Lima has been participating at the Disney event since 2005.

“We are very happy with our results,” master Regis Lima said. “To be a champion, first they need to respect other people and be humble. Otherwise they won’t make it.”

Medal winners for Team Lima included: Joelyan Mislay (two gold medals), Starlite Connolly (one gold), Kate Towne (one gold and one silver), Brandon Poire (one gold and one silver), Angelica Martello (one silver and one bronze), Amanda LoBianco (one silver and one bronze), Katie Maccia (one silver and one gold), Dylan Fawcett (one bronze and one silver), Travis Schlotter (one bronze and one silver), Kirsten Maccia (two silver), Katie Mojack (two bronze), Gage Sugg (one bronze and one silver), Jay Pelaez (one silver) and Nicholas Kallergis (one bronze and one gold)

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St.Pete Times by Derek Laviere

May 30, 2008

SPRING HILL

At the Regis Lima Martial Arts Academy, the staff teaches everyone from toddlers to senior citizens the intricacies of tae kwon do. Master Regis Lima, head of the academy, believes in not only the competitive aspects of the art but the life lessons it teaches.

This month, though, the focus was on the competitive side as Lima took a large contingent of his students to the Florida Tae-Kwon-Do Qualifier in Orlando. Twenty-four students made it through with medals. This same group qualified for the upcoming AAU National Tae-Kwon-Do Championships in Madison, Wis.

The national competition, in July, has become a staple event for Lima and his students. Last year, when the tournament was in Fort Lauderdale, six members of Lima’s class earned medals at the event, including a gold for Bill Erdman in sparring and forms.

This season, the school was able to qualify 10 more students than last season’s 14. Lima credits much of the improvement to the expansion of his academy. The opening of a Spring Hill location has added convenience for some athletes and an ability to expand financially.

“I have a lot of students who live closer to the Spring Hill location and were driving down to Port Richey every week,” Lima said. “It’s a winning situation now for me, the parents and the athletes. It’s a real family environment.”

Youth participants make up a strong part of his classes, and 18 of those students were a part of the latest group to stamp their tickets for nationals. Among the excited young martial arts students is Ashleigh Ruby, a student of tae kwon do since she was 6.

Ashleigh, now 12, is one of eight returning national qualifiers for Lima’s team. She took home a gold medal in form and a silver in sparring at this month’s state qualifier, but in her three trips to nationals she has come home empty handed in the medal column, something that motivates her every day.

“When you go to nationals, they take the best from all over the country,” she said. “You really have to show that you have elite skills to do well there.”

Ashleigh and her father, Paul, attend martial arts classes five days a week. A native of Lake Geneva, Wis., an hour and a half outside Madison, Ashleigh is excited about the opportunity to finally break through for a national medal in front of friends and family on the big stage.

“Hopefully, since it’s my home state, I can finally do it there,” she said. “It would be a real treat to go there and show I have the ability.”

Lima, a 34-year-old native of Brazil, moved to Florida in 1999 with only $500 and a bag of clothes to his name. After taking a local job as a martial arts instructor, he was urged by local parents to open his own school. That dream has grown into the academy that stands out today.

With eight medals at nationals in 2007, the Regis Lima Martial Arts Academy was the second-best finisher of all Florida schools.

More than 2,000 students from around the country will be on hand in July, and Lima is hoping to build on the total he and his school amassed last year.

“It’s just so rewarding to see what these kids can do,” Lima said. “There is no amount of money in the world that can make up for that feeling.”

Submit story ideas, feedback to community
sports@tampabay.com.

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St.Pete Times by Derek Laviere

May 24, 2009

WINNING TAEKWONDO TEAM: Team Lima from Regis Lima Martial Arts
School of Port Richey and Spring Hill participated April 25 in the Florida
Taekwondo Championship competition in Kissimmee. Team members pictured,
from left, in front row: Joelian Mislay, who took two bronze medals; Kate Towne,
bronze; Amanda Lobianco, bronze; Nicholas Kallergis, gold; and Dylan Fawcett,
gold and silver; in back row: Alex Munoz, silver; Justin Rockwell, bronze and
silver; Jacob Rockwell; Angelica Martello, bronze; and Master Regis Lima. Team
members not available for photo: D.J. Johnson, two bronze; Lewis Munger, gold;
Nathan Johnson, gold; Rickey Cheeks, bronze and silver; Starlite Connolly, gold
and silver; Traci Czyznik, gold; and Trey Johnson, bronze. The team qualified for
the national competition June 29 to July 4 in Ft. Lauderdale.

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“Dear Master Lima,

Congratulations on bringing home all those medals!

What a great group of students and what a wonderful future they have ahead of them!

Thanks for caring about our community!

Your friend,

Paula O’Neill

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“Dear Master Lima,

I would like to congratulate you and Team Lima for the stellar performance at the Florida State Taekwondo Championship. We are incredibly proud of their accomplishments.

Thanks you for all your work at RLMA. You are doing a great job ensuring that your students have the best possible learning environment. I appreciate your dedication to the young people in the area. In the come years, I know you will continue to have a significant impact on our community.

Keep up the good work and know that we appreciate all that you do. Please let me know if there’s ever anything I can do for you.”

Sincerely,

Mike Fasano

State Senator, District 11

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Regis,

Just wanted to be one of the many who will let you know what a wonderful job you did by putting the first tournament of your school together..you did an awesome job and you reached one more of your goals. You are an inspiration for many including us who came from another country….you have proven that hard word and heart is what you need to make dreams come true.

Liz Munoz

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Regis,

I just wanted to thank you for starting up the kickboxing class. It really has forced me to step up my cardio and go back to weights pushing myself harder. I don’t think I was aware of how comfortable I was in my exercise and not pushing myself anymore. So thank you for the challenge you have added to my routine. And if I come across and not enjoying myself I am sorry I just focus when I work out and kinda work in a bubble. And also thank you for encouraging Zach with us to be a better person. I think its great the dedication you show your business and I think it is wonderful how much you really care about all of them. And that goes for the parents as well as all your kids and staff. So just in case no one says it enough thank you!!

Danielle Brown

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Youth sports

Locals medal at AAU Junior Olympics

By STEVE LEE, Times Staff Writer
Published August 5, 2005

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PORT RICHEY – Three students from the Regis Lima Tae Kwon Do school were among the top five in their divisions of the Amateur Athletic Union Junior Olympics.

Nicky Marcano, 11, had the highest finish at the July 30-Aug. 2 competition in New Orleans, receiving a gold medal in sparring.

D.J. Johnson, 11, earned a silver medal in forms and a bronze in sparring. And Starlite Connolly, 12, placed fifth overall.

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Regis,

I’m home settling my house down for the night, putting my girls to bed, getting things ready for tomorrow, making sure the boys are prepared to go back to school, and my thoughts went to tonights class. how grueling the workout felt to me. I was lazy as far as exercise went during the break but I wanted to let you know how much I appreciated it and especially the time you took to talk to us and motivate us for a fresh new year, getting us thinking about what is ahead and what goals we’ll set for ourselves inside and out of class. These are things I have been sort of thinking about but your talk really insired me. I wonder if you realize how very much the school means to some of us. I know for me it really does feel like family and I can not imagine not being there with you and everyone. I just wanted to take a minute to tell you these things because if I just think it and do not say it, you may not realize it, and I think if someone felt this way about the work I was doing, i would feel pretty good. so there you go, I said it, thanks for the hard work man, we appreciate it. Looking forward to a great 2008 with all of you!

Scot

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Regis,

My oldest daughter had severe behavioral problems at school with classmates and at home with her siblings. It was recommended to us by her teacher that she be put into a specialized class for children with behavioral issues. I signed her up for class with Mr. Regis during the summer. Her teachers and classmates at school had noticed a marked difference in her actions and attitudes. Her report card dramatically improved. I thank Mr. Regis for the vast improvements in my daughter’s behavior and attitude.

Roger Hayden

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Mr. Regis,

We just wanted to say thank you!! Our son Rakim Sharpe is one of your students. I truly have to say your teaching of Tae Kwon Do has helped Rakim improve sooo much with his behavior at school. he is now in the 4th grade. This is the 1st time Rakim has started the school year on a good note, and so far it remains good. Please keep up the good work for our young leaders need more strong leaders as yourself. Thanks for caring!

The Sharpe family

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Mr. Regis Lima’s school is awesome! You can get great exercise and become more confident. I think Tae Kwon Do is very good to learn because you can learn self defense that is a responsibility you have to take care of. You have to be respectful while having funs at this school.

Heather L. Clark

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Mr. Regis is a wonderful teacher & always gives 100% to each student. It’s amazing the difference in my daughter’s self-control & self discipline. I truly believe that if it were not for Mr. Regis & his training, my daughter would not be the great student she is in school. all of the things she learns in his class, she will take with her for the rest of her life. I feel truly honored to be a part of Mr. Regis’ “family.”

Jackie Nagy Green Belt 9 Years Old

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Merry Christmas!

To: Mr. Regis

From: Ashleigh (Ruby)

You taught me all I Know, About the sport of Tae-Kwon-do. You mean so much to me, and what you’ve taught me brings such great glee. Neve will I forget, and never will I regret, all the time I’ve spent with you, and all that, together, we’ve been through. You’re one of my best friends and I know you’ll be beside me until the very end. Turn the page for a gift, my Friend, a gift so sweet and pure, a gift meant for a true friend, a gift to you for sure.

Merry Christmas Mr. Regis!