VANESSA LOZA is a star champion of Wushu, a sport and martial art originated in China as a means for self-defense and physical training, embodying the philosophical connotation of attack and defense.Vanessa in the 2006 Tiger Claw Elite Championship. Photo Disney World
A first generation American, her mother is Colombian and her father is Ecuadorian. Vanessa Loza will represent the United States at the 2nd World Wushu Junior Competition in Indonesia by November 2008.
Early start
Vanessa began taking martial art classes at the early age of four and a half years, at the Chinese Martial Arts Institute in Arlington, Virginia.
She obtained the Yellow Belt in 2001 at the age of five, in her first tournament. Not only she got the first place in her division, but also had a chance to go on and compete in the grand championship.
In 2006 she transferred to a new a school with a new coach, a former China’s Wushu national team member and teammate of Jet Li. Here is where Vanessa refined her martial art skills in forms and weapons.
In August 2006, Vanessa entered the first ever Tiger Claw Elite Championship held in Washington, D.C where she placed first in forms, Tai chi and weapons. In October of that year; she traveled to Disney World (Orlando, FL) to compete at the 2006 Tiger Claw Elite Championships with martial arts competitors from all over the United States. She placed first place in forms and weapons in her division.
In May 2007 and being only 11 years old, Vanessa tried out for a spot in the Wushu Tournament at the Beijing 2008 Olympic games. She placed 17th but only the first 15 competitors classified to the games. There was no age limit, so she competed with athletes up to 25 years old.
-- Representing the United States! --
In June 2008 Vanessa competed at the Junior Wushu team tryouts in Connecticut for the 2nd World Wushu Junior Competition. She placed first in her division and she made the national team!
Vanessa Loza is scheduled to travel with the USA Junior Wushu Team to Bali, Indonesia from December 7 to 14, 2008, representing the United States of America.
Vanessa Loza is scheduled to travel with the USA Junior Wushu Team to Bali, Indonesia from December 7 to 14, 2008, representing the United States of America.
A great athlete and an outstanding studentVanessa has not only succeeded in athletics, but she also is an exceptional student: she was awarded as an outstanding student of Sully Elementary School in the year of 2006. Also awarded in 2007 with the Sterling Ruritan Award, which requires students to excel academically, socially, and in the community.
Letter from Vanessa's school Principal. Click to expand
110 trophies
Vanessa has competed in numerous NASKA (North America Sport Karate Association) rated events, winning first places in most of them. She has a total of 110 trophies, which include:
- 2005 - Battle of Baltimore - First place in forms;
US Capitol Classics- first place in forms;
USA WKF (United States of America Wushu-Kungfu Federation, Inc.) National
Championship- first place in bare-hands (forms);
2004 - US OPEN - First place in musical forms;
2003 - Battle of USA- First place in forms;
2002 - Charlie Lee Nationals- first place forms and weapons;
2001 - World Cup competition - First place in forms.
