Rising by falling

Lim describes hapkido as a form of gymnastics. In addition to hands-on techniques, the athletes must perform aerial acrobatics and will be judged on their charisma and their attitudes throughout the competition.

In addition to the physical challenge and the financial commitment needed to represent the USA at this new festival of martial arts, Bartocci and La Font spent about 40 hours each week since June training. Demonstrating techniques meant to incapacitate requires precision in order to avoid injury.

Lim said teaching when and how to use muscle tension is the key to keeping his students healthy when they are thrown or restrained by a wrist lock or other technique.

As Bartocci explained, when demonstrating a wrist lock it is imperative to jump in order to avoid suffering a broken arm.

Having mastered such difficult and potentially dangerous moves, LaFont and Bartucci say they are ready to take on the world — to meet and compete against world-class practitioners of hapkido.

“I’m not nervous at all,” La Font said. “I’m very excited.”

Bartocci agreed he feels prepared and is “absolutely thrilled for this life-changing experience.”

Lim has focused on developing the basic skills for the team, which includes Oregon residents Daniel Garris and C.J. Fleck. Lee has choreographed the presentations on which the team will be judged.

Bartocci and LaFont will participate in the self defense demonstration contest, which will involve five rounds where each of them performs three hapkido techniques. They will be competing against more than 30 teams from around the world in an elimination bracket, but even if they are quickly eliminated, they said that the effort will be worth it.

LaFont, 16, attends Washington Virtual Academy, an online high school. Bartocci, 17, attends La Salle, a Catholic high school in Milwaukie, Ore. Lim sees the Vancouver teens as pioneers and noted that their six or seven years of training is the minimum needed to compete.