POULSBO — The myriad of positive physical and mental skills one can develop from tae kwon do is expansive, and each person who chooses to become a martial artist has personal reasons for doing so.

For Arissan Ugles, it was the Pink Power Ranger.

She can remember, as a toddler at age 2, seeing the Mighty Morphin hero and wanting to emulate her.

“I wanted to be the Pink Power Ranger,” she said with a smile.

These days, while you might not find Ugles and others at the West Sound Tae Kwon Do battling Power Ranger villain Rita Repulsa and her monsters and minions, you will find a dedicated group of martial artists looking to improve their abilities in the ancient Korean craft.

There is perhaps none more dedicated than West Sound owner and master instructor Jose Lugo.

“For me, it’s been very inspirational,” said Lugo, an 18-year veteran of the sport and a fourth degree black belt. “A core component of how I live my life.”

Lugo took over the Poulsbo and Bainbridge studios from former Master Victor Solier, a five time kickboxing world champion, in January and is now the owner and head instructor.

“We didn’t want the school shut down and a lot of students wanted to continue their training,” he said.

He currently has around 80 students — 60 or so attend the Poulsbo studio — between the ages of 5 and 40.

Out of those students came Ugles, who has emerged as the studio’s top junior competitor. She began in a non-contact style of tae kwon do, focusing on forms, but made the transition to the more physical Olympic-style at age 7, which included sparring and athletic combat.

“I liked the contact a lot better,” she admitted, adding that she was also able to then compete in local tournaments.

Ugles, who is home schooled but is allowed to play on the Kingston Junior High School basketball team, has already achieved her third degree black belt. The 13-year-old’s goal now is to bump up to the national team’s 14-17 year-old category.

“She’s already a seasoned veteran in many respects,” Lugo said. “She’s very poised, very disciplined. She knows how to put her nose to the grindstone.”

Even through his coaching, Lugo finds time to compete in the sport as well. Though sidelined with an ACL injury, the instructor returned to action in 2004, and even took two gold medals, in sparring and in forms, at the U.S. Open in February.

Lugo, who began training in the martial art in 1988 as an officer aboard the Nimitz at Puget Sound Naval Station, earned his first black belt only four years later. Around that time, he began teaching the craft as well.

The studio itself has earned prestige by sending a team to national events every year since 1991.

West Sound focuses on two main aspects: the tradition and the sport.

Lugo said the emphasis on the technique, discipline and character development is part of the traditional aspect of tae kwon do. However, the studio also aims to produce top-notch competitive martial artists, like Ugles, who participate in athletic events, and as such there is a focus on the “sport” side as well.

“We’re trying to keep up activities that show the very positive aspects of teamwork and respect,” he said, “but also offer opportunities to compete at the state, regional, national and international level.”

When Lugo says “international,” he means it. His top student, Ugles, is currently in China training for a month in preparation for a chance on the 14-17 national team.

“I feel confident, but I’m still not sure,” she said of her chances. “I’m hoping.”