UK ITF Scotland's QMU Taekwon-Do at the British Open
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On Friday 19th October UK
ITF Scotland’s
Region 1 Club QMU TKD made their annual pilgrimage to the UK ITF British Open
Championships, this time heading for the Welsh capital where this year’s
tournament would take place.
After a long 8 hour mini-bus journey expertly chauffeured by
Mr Robertson, we touched down in the familiar surroundings of the Premier Inn
Cardiff North. For the competitors heading to the weigh-in it was a flying
visit where we met up with our friends from One
TKD Academy
before setting off for the Maldron hotel in Cardiff city centre.
Upon arrival at the Maldron hotel, the international appeal
of this year’s tournament was immediately evident with teams from Spain, Holland
and Sweden
joining the Scottish, English, Welsh and Irish competitors keen to weigh-in the
night before the tournament.
Once the QMU competitors had successfully weighed-in it was
back to the hotel for a well deserved meal before heading to bed for an early
night in anticipation of the day ahead.
Upon arrival at the impressive venue, it became clear why
the NIAC had been chosen to host this year’s tournament.
With tiered competitor and spectator seating, 8 fully matted
rings laid out and electronic scoring systems completing the professional
set-up, this was set to be the best UK ITF British yet and with 8 ITF Masters
in attendance it couldn’t have had a better audience.
Action got under way in the middle of the morning once
competitor registration and weigh-in had completed. QMU were represented from 8th
Kup all the way to 3rd Degree with competitors in Cadets, Adult and
Senior categories.
Brad Robertson made a return to domestic competition after
winning Gold at the ITF World Championships earlier this year and competed in
the Adult divisions (what happened to our wee boy?!?!) performing in patterns,
sparring and special technique.
Older brother Gavin also competing for the first time since
the Worlds was competing in patterns and sparring where he made a return to the
middleweight division for the first time in over years.
Lynsey Hope made her debut in the black belt categories
competing in patterns, special technique and destruction.
Sasha Mikhniak had the pleasure of competing at the British
for the first time and took part in patterns and sparring.
Making a return to competition in her first UK ITF British
was Sasha’s mum, Julia Mikhniak who competed in patterns.
Chris Devine returned to action for the first time since the
Welsh Championships and competed in destruction and sparring, also competing at
middleweight for the first time in over two years.
Struan Mackenzie, now a veteran with 3 British Opens under
his belt competed in patterns and sparring.
Daniel Anderson made the trip south for his first British
Open and competed in patterns and sparring.
The full results for the club are below:
Gold
Lynsey Hope -
Destruction
Chris Devine -
Sparring
Struan Mackenzie -
Sparring
Daniel Anderson -
Sparring
Silver
Brad Robertson -
Special Technique
Gavin Robertson -
Sparring
Daniel Anderson -
Patterns
Bronze
Brad Robertson -
Sparring
Lynsey Hope -
Special Technique
Julia Mikhniak -
Patterns
Struan Mackenzie -
Patterns
Sasha Mikhniak also competed in sparring and patterns and
despite a solid performance in both, she was unlucky to lose out to
Rounding off an excellent day of competition was a team
sparring event in which UK ITF fielded a strong UK Team to take on a team from Holland, one of the
visiting nations. The UK Team included our own Brad and Gavin Robertson
alongside Lee Hollingsworth, Jake Stevens and Matthew Brunger. The UK Team
managed to win all 5 bouts, much to the delight of the vocal home fans, despite
some good performances from the Dutch.
On behalf of QMU TKD we would like to say a massive thank
you to Master Nicholls, the UK ITF Organising Committee and all the officials
and event staff that made the event possible.
On behalf of the QMU TKD students we would like to say a
massive thank you to our coach (and driver) Mr Robertson and our outstanding
loyal and vocal supporters Jennifer, Kirsty and James!
Looking forward to 2013 already!!
Written by: Christopher Devine - 1st November 2012
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