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COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. -- A local martial arts team is kicking practice into high gear as they prepare for the trip of a lifetime.

The Academy of Life and Leadership Taekwondo Demo Team in Colorado Springs is going to Korea on Friday.

The nine-person team, along with their instructors, will be the only group representing the U.S. in the world competition next week.

"We've earned gold medals in competitions here in Colorado," Olympian and head coach Barb Kunkel said. "Then we took home the bronze at Nationals in San Jose, Calif. Now we're going to compete at the worlds in Korea."

A demo team combines elements of taekwondo, gymnastics and dance in their performances. Kunkel said it is fairly new to the taekwondo competition circuit, but it has been well-received.

"It's very exciting for an audience to watch because it involves so many elements," she said. "When we were at Nationals, a lot of heads were turned. A lot of people came up to us and said, 'That is the most amazing thing I have ever seen.'"

When the team learned they would be competing on the international stage, it was a wild mix of emotions.

"They thought, 'Really? No way!'" Kunkel said. "It was scared first to excitement. Now they are so excited."

Team member Angela Sallee, who is 19, said she cannot wait to go visit and compete in another country.

"We're getting to create a new sport and kind of get it started all around the world," Sallee said. "That is really exciting for me and a big honor."

For 17-year-old Josiah Manzanares, it is not only an honor to represent the new sport, but his coach and country, too.

"Our coach is an olympian, and it is awesome to kind of follow in her footsteps," he said. "And to go overseas and respresent the U.S. is amazing."

The team has been training for the World Competition since September. They are all hopeful that is reflected in their performance.

"We just hope that we, with our manners, with our respect and with our talent, that we represent well," Kristi Glaze, the team's choreography coach, said.

Team members from the Christian-based organization said their performance includes a message, one they hope each person in the audience understands.

"I'm just hoping that we can affect people in a powerful way," Salle said.

Win or lose, Kunkel said her team will all come back champions and will have learned some great lessons.

"We will be twice as good next year just by going to an international arena," she said.

The team will compete in Seoul, Korea Aug. 10-13.