Local Competition No Match for MartialArts4Fun Students
Photograph contributed by MartialArts4Fun.
The latest local Tae Kwon Do Association of Great Britain (TAGB) tournament took place at Torbay Leisure Centre in Paignton on October 1st and for local MartialArts4Fun (based in Teignbridge) schools, it proved more fruitful than ever. This tournament had 360 competitors and 80 officials from across the South West, with over 40 from MartialArts4Fun. Over the course of the day students took part in all disciplines (Patterns, Sparring, Tag Team Sparring, Hand Destruction and Foot Destruction).
The competition started well with the juniors winning ten medals/trophies. Many of them were in the same categories and showed true sportsmanship when they were beaten to the podium by their fellow students. These same students joined up to compete with others in the Tag Team Sparring events, showing that Tae Kwon Do is more than a sport: it’s a place to make friends too.
The adults continued the winning streak and, not wanting to be outshone by the stars of the future, topped the junior tally and bagged 13 medals/trophies; a fantastic result taking away 23 medals and trophies, with at least two going back to each of the seven MartialArts4Fun schools.
There were a large number competing at their first ever competition and they have vowed to return to more competitions in the future. There were also many seasoned competitors and students returning to the competition arena after taking a break from the Martial Art.
Senior Instructor, Master Peter O’Neill (6th Dan) said, “I am so proud to see so many students taking their first step on the competition ladder. Well done to everyone that competed or officiated in any way; medals and trophies aren’t as important as the experience you gained from being there, they are just a bonus”.
Full list of Medal/Trophy Winners:
Newton Abbot (9) – James Moore – Gold (Boys Green Belt Patterns); Kat Baker – Gold (Ladies Black Belt 1st Dan Patterns) & Silver (Ladies Black Belt Heavyweight Sparring); Chloe Pike – Silver (Ladies Red Belt Heavyweight Sparring); Emma Matthews (Ladies Red Belt Heavyweight Sparring); Kim Jenkins (Ladies Blue/Red Middleweight Sparring); Rob Burley – Gold (Mens Green Belt Patterns), Silver (Mens Yellow/Green/Blue Belt Tag Team Sparring) & Bronze (Mens Yellow/Green Belt Middleweight Sparring).
Ashburton (3) – Kyle Jemmison – Silver (Boys Green Belt Patterns); Jack Fordham – Gold (Boys Yellow/Green Belt Heavyweight Sparring); Karen Ball – Gold (Ladies Black Belt Hand Destruction).
Dawlish (3) – Aimee Thomas – Silver (Girls Blue Belt Patterns); Owen Thomas – Gold (Mens Red Belt Patterns) & Bronze (Mens Blue/Red Belts Heavyweight Sparring).
Bovey Tracey (2) – Amy Hart – Bronze (Girls Green Belt Patterns); Sacha Einzig-Pilling – Bronze (Boys Black Belt Middleweight Sparring).
Chudleigh (2) – Olivia Edwards – Silver (Girls Blue/Red Belt Peewee Sparring); Tara Sercombe – Gold (Ladies Black Belt Foot Destruction).
Mortonhampstead (2) – Hugo Denman – Silver (Boys Yellow/Green/Blue (Middle/Heavyweight Tag Team Sparring) & Bronze (Boys Green/Blue Middleweight Sparring).
Teignmouth (2) – Jacob Wilson – Bronze (Boys Black Belt Lightweight Sparring); Tasha Harding – Gold (Ladies Red Belt Patterns).
To see how another local Tae Kwon Do school got on, see our earlier report from Tae Kwon Do Torbay.
