ATHERTON, CA – Menlo Taekwondo closed out their first semester with a statement, competing across five countries and multiple elite domestic events while earning international experience, podium finishes, and a growing reputation on the global stage.
 
In just their first semester of competition, the program tested itself against some of the world's best at the 2025 Muju World Taekwondo Grand Prix in South Korea. Filled with Olympic Medalists, world champions, and national team members, the event showed early signs of the program's long-term potential.  The Oak's sent over their first group of athletes in Nicholas Carlo, Kylie Lewis, and Sarah Grabot, where all three gained invaluable experience amongst the sport's best. The field included multiple Olympic medalists and World Champions, providing a true benchmark for the new program.
 
Carlo was able to pick up a first round win to advance in his bracket and competed against the No. 3 seed, showcasing his ability to perform at the highest level. Grabot faced the eventual silver medalist of the tournament from Korea while Lewis squared off against the United States' returning Olympic Bronze Medalist.
 
At the USA Taekwondo Grand Prix Final, Christina Chavez delivered a dominant performance to capture gold. With only a couple weeks of training with Menlo, the former Junior National Team member highlighted her talent and composure across the country. Freshman Jaslyn Yu-Hian added a bronze medal to her resume while also competing outside of her natural weight-class.
 
The Oaks also found success just north of the border at the Taekwondo Ontario Provincial Championships, where Canadian athletes Sophia Fokas and Jacob Boodoo both claimed gold after strong performances in their respective weight classes. Fokas, an Olympic alternative for the 2024 Paris Olympics, captured gold in the -49kg division with a victory over Maria Bordokina. Boodoo, a member of Canada's Junior National Team, earned gold in the -80kg division with a victory over Ethan McLean in the finals.
 
Kylie Lewis continued with more international competition at the World Taekwondo Championships in Wuxi. China, where Lewis represented the U.S. National Team. Lewis took on an experienced opponent in Andrea Rodriguez of the Dominican Republic, where she made key adjustments between rounds and carried momentum from earlier in the semester.
 
Domestically, the Oaks had a standout showing at the Berkeley Fall Open, earning four golds from Kylie Lewis, Sarah Grabot, Christina Chavez, and Kaitlyn Marie Reclusado in Poomsae. Shayler Guymon competed in the -68kg division and earned bronze along with Jaslyn Yu-Hian earning bronze as well at the -46kg division. The women's team dominated throughout the entire tournament, with Lewis also being named the Best Female Athlete of the Tournament.
 
The UC Davis Fall open marked several program milestones. Jaden Baxter would go on to make his Menlo debut, winning four matches in a 17-man bracket to take gold. Walk-on Nayeley Morales earned her first taekwondo gold medal after transitioning from point karate, while Yu-Hian also gained experience in the -46kg division.
 
The semester concluded with more international recognition at the 2025 World Taekwondo U21 Championships in Nairobi, where Kylie Lewis reached the third round of the tournament against Russian World Champ Polina Shvedkova in -73kg. After dominating the first round, Lewis would unfortunately drop the bout off a last-second exchange in the third, a performance that reflected her upward trajectory in the sport.
 
As the first semester concluded, Menlo Taekwondo looks ahead to its next challenge at the U.S. Team Trials in Tulsa, Oklahoma from January 30 – February 1, aiming to build more onto an already historic inaugural season.