LIVING THEIR DREAM TAE KWON DO STUDENTS IN WORLD FINALS.

Byline: Sean Ceglinsky Staff Writer

As a young man in his mid-twenties, Paul Kim had a vision: to establish a tae kwon do studio in the Santa Clarita Valley.

That foresight became a reality in 1997. And now, his Black Belt Academy in Canyon Country is flourishing and will send four students, including himself, to Friday's world championships of the American Taekwondo Association in Littlerock, Ark.

``It's just like the saying, 'The American Dream.' Then it's up to the individual to make it successful,'' Kim said.

Through plenty of hard work and dedication, he's done just that - make a successful business out of his martial arts passion.

Born in Incheon, South Korea, Kim arrived in the United States at age 12 and lived in Van Nuys for several years before moving to the region in 1987. That's when he took advantage of the opportunities afforded to him, opportunities he might not have had in South Korea.

Kim graduated from Hart High of Newhall in 1990, enrolled at Cal State Northridge the following year and earned his bachelor's degree in business from The Master's College in 1996.

Equipped with the educational background and a strong family support system, Kim, a fifth-degree black belt, was ready to pass on his more than 21 years worth of experience to others.

``My life revolves around this,'' Kim said ''We want future leaders here, not just someone who kicks and punches hard. We put a heavy emphasis on self discipline: setting a goal in one's lifetime and pursuing it. Doing what you know you are supposed to and doing it when you can. And going for a black belt is an example of that.

``The studio is made up of a group of people who have the same goals and believe wholeheartedly in achieving them. That's our mission.''

This weekend's mission, however, is a little different for Kim and his students.

The three-day world championships, held at the Littlerock Convention Center, offers the top competition anywhere - countries such as Argentina and Brazil. Paraguay and Korea will be well represented. Furthermore, only the top 10 martial artists in each age division will compete.

``It's intense,'' said Kim, who is entered in the men's fifth-degree black belt competition. ``These athletes from South America and Korea, they eat, breath and sleep tae kwon do. It's all they know.''

And though Kim would like to come home with four world titles, he's a realist.

``Success is measured in many different ways. Just going to the world championships is a great accomplishment. It's not so much about winning a gold, silver or bronze medal. What makes a true champion is training like a champion throughout the year.''

--Seasoned veteran: If any one individual knows about intense competition, it's Christine Kunishige, a two-time world champion.

The Saugus High junior won her first championship 1998 in the 11-12 first-degree black belt division and followed it with a defense of her title in 1999 in the second-degree black belt division.

Kunishige, however, has struggled since, unable to claim a title in either of her last two world-championship appearances.

That could all change this year though as a more dedicated Kunishige has been training rigorously with the hopes of claiming that elusive third title.

Along with Kim, Kunishige works out six days a week, often waking up as early as 6:30 a.m. Saturday mornings to run three miles, work on punching and kicking techniques followed by a visualizing cool-down process.

``I've made sacrifices and it's been grueling at times,'' said Kunishige, a second-degree black belt who also teaches the 12-and-under age group at the studio. ``But I've learned to be disciplined inside and outside of the studio and I don't mind doing that.

``This will be my fifth world championships, so I'm feeling pretty confident but not over confident. Before, I'd get really nervous, but as the years and years go by, I get less nervous and more excited.''

--The best of the rest: C.J. Lombardi has been an assistant instructor to Kim since the studio's inception five years ago and will compete in the men's fourth-degree black belt division this weekend.

The Canyon High graduate has been consistent at the world championships, finishing in the top four in the third-degree black belt division for three consecutive years.

His protege, Jacob Fournier, who'll be a freshman at Canyon High in the fall, will compete for the first time in the 13-14 first-degree black belt division.

``He's come a long way,'' Lombardi said of Fournier ''He's become very talented and developed his own individual style. He's pretty quick and flexible and those are big advantages in our style of fighting. Plus, he's got great form.

Heather Smith, a 12-year old at Arroyo Seco Junior High in Saugus, will also compete in her first world championships in the 11-12 first-degree black belt division. And Ghetto Empleo, in his mid-thirties, will also accompany the group but compete in open mens' division for a color belt.

BEST FOOT FORWARD

Who: Paul Kim, C.J. Lombardi, Christine Kunishige, Jacob Fournier and Heather Smith

What: World Championships of the American Taekwondo Association

Where: Little Rock, Ark.

When: Friday, Saturday, Sunday

CAPTION(S):

2 photos, box

Photo:

(1) Santa Clarita tae kwon do students competing in Arkansas world championships are, from left, Paul Kim, Christine Kunishige, Jacob Fournier and Heather Smith.

(2) Sixteen-year-old Christine Kunishige of Valencia practices a high kick in preparation for world tae kwon do championships in Arkansas.

Evan Yee/Staff Photographer

Box:

BEST FOOT FORWARD (see text)