06/01/2026
EAST COAST GRAND PRIX RECAP
What an incredible weekend for Team Xcel at the East Coast Grand Prix in Pennsylvania, one of the premier Taekwondo events in the United States.
The weekend started in impressive fashion as Tyler Balestracci captured Gold in the World Class -63kg division, setting the tone for a strong showing from Team Xcel. Over the next two days, our athletes battled some of the nation’s best competitors, demonstrating the dedication, resilience, and fighting spirit that define our program.
Final Results:
Gold — Tyler Balestracci, World Class -63kg
Gold — Chase Fitzpatrick, U21 World Class Black Belt Heavyweight Division
Silver — Chase Fitzpatrick, Junior World Class Black Belt Heavyweight Division
Silver — Liam Barry
Silver — Grayson Worrell
Nisan Aras and Olivia Smith also delivered strong performances, advancing to the quarterfinals in highly competitive divisions and gaining valuable experience against top-ranked athletes from across the country.
A special congratulations to Chase Fitzpatrick for an outstanding tournament, earning both a Gold Medal in the U21 World Class Heavyweight Division and a Silver Medal in the Junior World Class Heavyweight Division. Competing in two elite divisions and reaching both finals is a remarkable achievement.
We are also especially proud of Liam Barry and Grayson Worrell, who earned Silver Medals at their first major national-level event, proving they belong among the nation’s top up-and-coming athletes.
Thank you to all of our athletes, families, coaches, and supporters who made this successful weekend possible. Team Xcel leaves Pennsylvania with multiple podium finishes, valuable experience, and momentum heading into the biggest event of the year.
Next stop: USA Taekwondo National Championships.