FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM APRIL 30, 2020 • BUZZ • THE QUEENS COURIER 39
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Michael Ro’s son, Ryan, practicing via online classes Photos courtesy of Michael Ro
Flushing martial arts center off ers free
online classes during COVID-19 pandemic
BY CARLOTTA MOHAMED
cmohamed@schnepsmedia.com
@QNS
Although Champions Martial Arts in
Flushing is temporarily closed amid the
coronavirus pandemic, children are keeping
Cuomo contemplating sports’ return to New York
Governor Andrew Cuomo
BY JOE PANTORNO
editorial@qns.com
@QNS
While New York waits for the
return of normalcy amidst the
coronavirus pandemic, Governor
Andrew Cuomo provided an
intriguing update on the future of
sports in the Big Apple and Buff alo.
During his April 26 press conference,
Cuomo mused aloud about
the sports coming back to the city
earlier than anticipated.
“If players could get paid more
than staying home, and owners
could get some revenue versus total
shutdown … why not?” Cuomo
asked. “I’d love to watch.”
Major North American sports
leagues were put on the back burner
beginning on March 11, when
Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert tested
positive for COVID-19. Th e
NBA quickly postponed play, a
decision that was followed closely
by the NHL, MLB and MLS.
While the NBA and NHL search
for a way to eff ectively fi nish the
last bit of regular-season games
before a potential postseason,
Major League Baseball’s Opening
Day could be coming in July.
All hypothetical returns, however,
would feature games being
played at neutral sites that weren’t
hit hard by the coronavirus outbreak.
New York, obviously, is not on
an immediate shortlist of destinations
for such an undertaking considering
it is the hot spot in the
United States.
Cuomo has been in touch with
sports owners to discuss how athletics
can return to New York,
which would most likely bar fans
from attending initially. No concrete
ideas have come,
as of yet.
“I don’t know. If
you can make the
economics work
without ticket sales
and have television
revenue,” Cuomo
wondered. “We’re in a
diff erent place. Be creative.
Figure it out.”
In the state of New
York alone, there are
nine professional sports
teams — seven in New
York City (Mets, Yankees,
Knicks, Nets, Islanders,
Rangers, NYCFC) and two
(Sabres, Bills) in Buff alo.
Th e Giants, Jets and Red
Bulls play at MetLife Stadium
in East Rutherford, NJ.
active and staying fi t at home —
online and free of charge. Michael Ro,
master and head instructor of Champion
Martial Arts Taekwondo, has been teaching
online classes for children ages 3 to
12 from Monday through Saturday on
Zoom.
“Staying active and healthy is very
important during these times. I say,
‘health is wealth.’ Keeping them active
and healthy will keep them mentally stable
and strong,” Ro said. “Th e children
need structure and need the sense of normality
in their daily lives. I believe that if
your mind is healthy, your body will be
healthy as well.”
Champions Martial Arts is a large organization
with more than 60 locations, and
together they’re teaching thousands of
students during the pandemic.
Aft er closing his studio on March 14, Ro
began teaching online classes on March
16. At the beginning of the coronavirus
outbreak, Ro thoroughly cleaned the
facility twice daily, spraying and wiping
down equipment aft er each and every
class. Every student also used hand sanitizer
before and aft er classes.
“No students who showed any sign of
illness were permitted into our class. All
parents were encouraged to wait outside
during the class,” Ro said. Since Ro began
teaching from home, he has been able
to connect with more than 200 children
from local areas to other states that have
been taking online classes with Champion
Martial Arts.
“It’s an amazing experience! Th e children
are able to take 20 minutes out of
their day to get their daily exercise, learn
some fun martial arts, interact with other
students and instructors, relieve some
stress, while practicing social distancing
from the convenience of their homes,”
Ro said.
“Parents have been so happy with our
program — they send us messages and
emails thanking us for doing this for the
community.”
Besides the free martial arts classes,
Champion Martial Arts also does fun
events for the children as well such as
scavenger hunts and trivia games, Ro said.
“We hope that other parents, who have
children at home, take this opportunity
to enroll their children into this productive
martial arts program and seek all
of the benefi ts martial arts has to off er,”
Ro said.
Parents can contact any Champions
Martial Arts location to learn more about
free online classes, or contact Master
Michael Ro by calling 718-886-5425, or
sending an email to FlushingCTKD@
gmail.com.
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