VANESSA LOZA

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: December 17, 2008

Contact: Fabian Loza (703) 217-5982

VANESSA LOZA
GOLD MEDAL WINNER
2ND WORLD JUNIOR WUSHU CHAMPIONSHIP - BALI, INDONESIA

LATINA BRINGS HOME THE ONLY

GOLD MEDAL
IN MARTIAL ARTS WORLD COMPETITION

Washington, D.C.: Vanessa Loza, 11 yrs. old black belt and the only Latina in the U.S.A.
Wushu Team just returned from the Second World Junior Wushu Championship bringing
home the only Gold Medal. The competition took place December 7-12, 2008 in Bali,
Indonesia. Vanessa is a first generation citizen in the United States. Her parents are
from Colombia and Ecuador.

“It was exciting to be able to travel across the world in an area considered the Mecca of
martial arts and bring back the only Gold Medal for the U.S. Team,” said Vanessa, who
won the medal in the Weapons category. “This, and the first place in the 2006 Disney
World’s Martial Art Elite Junior Competition, makes me and my parents very happy.”
This World Championship hosted teams from 44 countries. Latin America was only
represented by Mexico and Brazil, making this golden accomplishment a greater
achievement for Latin Americans in a sport traditionally dominated by Asians. The U.S.A.
Wushu Team also won two Silver medals and one Bronze medal.

Vanessa has been training since she was 4 years old. She is an exceptional student at
Sterling Middle School and earns excellent grades while maintaining a demanding
training schedule. She is also the recipient of over 100 trophies, most first and second
places in different disciplines of martial arts.

For more information, please visit Vanessa’s blog at
http://vanessaloza-wushu.blogspot.com . The blog will feature videos and pictures from
the competition.

Vanessa thanks all of the donors who helped make her trip possible. Donations are still
being accepted to help defray trip expenses. To donate, visit Vanessa’s blog and click
the ‘donate’ button.

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Vanessa Loza will represent the United States!

Representing the United States: In June 2008 Vanessa Loza 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 at the 2006 Disney World's Tiger Claw Elite Championship

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Please support Vanessa Loza in her way to the 2nd World Junior Wushu Championships

We are friends, relatives and supporters of Vanessa Loza

Vanessa of only 12 years old has classified to the
2nd World Junior Wushu Championship
representing the United States of America!

The 2nd World Junior Wushu Championships will be held
from December 7 to 14, 2008 in Bali, Indonesia.

Please support Vanessa, donate to realize her dream.

Contact: VanessaLoza.Wushu@gmail.com

Or you can make a check payable to:

Fabian Loza (Vanessa's Father)

And mail to:

Vanessa Rumbo a Indonesia
Attn: Fabian Loza
3226 9th Street South
Arlington, VA 22204

Thank you so much for your support!

Vanessa Loza: a brief biography

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.

A great athlete and an outstanding student

Vanessa 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:

Vanessa is praised as an athlete and student

Vanessa Loza needs our support, she is not only an excellent athlete, but a great individual and an outstanding student!

Read what her coach, school principals and counselor have to say:

"One of the most excellent children that I have come across in the past 30 years - She consistently performs better than any other children - A good role model - a wonderful youngster"

Christopher Pei
Coach at the United States Wushu Academy

"A leader - a Ruritan Award recipient - excelling academically, socially, and in the community - She served as school patrol, member of the chorus, honor roll grades"

Timothy Martino
Principal at Sully Elementary School

"An exceptional student and citizen - a strong straight A's student with 97% earning grades - a role model with a positive behavior with respect to herself and others"

William Y. Waldman, M. Ed.
Assistant Principal at Sterling Middle School

"Intellectually gifted student, and exceptional citizen: Honors Language Arts, Accelerated Math, member of the band playing clarinet, Honors science - outstanding integrity"

Gina Seaberg
School Counselor at Sterling Middel School

Certificate of selection
to the US Wushu national team

Membership at the
USA Wushu Kungfu Federation

Over 110 trophies won

Vanessa Loza 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: