On Sunday 18th March,
a multitude of eager and talented Taekwon-Do enthusiasts from the United
Kingdom came together and competed in the UK-ITF Scottish Open Taekwon-Do
Championships.
The event was held (for the
second time) at the impressive Ravenscraig Regional Sports Facility in
Motherwell, and it proved to be a success with competitors and spectators being
provided with adequate parking, seating, viewing, catering and warm-up areas.
In addition, the 2012 event included another fully sized and matted Taekwon-Do
ring, revised special technique holder, electronic scoring system and official
ITF tablecloths and banners.
Doors opened and events started
at 8 and 10am respectively, allowing the competition to make fast progress through
categories containing high graded students. After an impressive display, the
majority of high graded black belts immediately changed into umpire apparel and
took to the floor to ensure the day would keep pace and reach successful
conclusion during afternoon daylight. The recently revised Tournament and
Umpire Committees, headed by Miss Kerry Burridge (V) and Darrin Bonfield (V) added
to these efforts, ensuring that activities went smoothly throughout.
With many hard working referees,
umpires and technical support figures in place, Development Committee Chair, Mr
Glenn Horan (VI) was able to relax an allow full attention to be turned to the
most important people of the day, the competitors!
Without disappointment the
Generation-X, Kickers, Cadet and Junior divisions demonstrated some fantastic
technique and sporting attitudes, making all spectators and instructors
rightfully proud. Of particular interest was the +13 years categories, bursting
at the seams with students selected to represent ITF England, Wales &
Scotland at this year’s World Taekwon-Do Championships in Canada, along side
our friends at Ireland ITF.
The Adult categories didn’t
disappoint onlookers either, with many seasoned and proven competitors
demonstrating outstanding sparring combinations, worthy of the repeated
international titles we all want to see! It was also good to see such an array
of challenging opposition, pushing current champions to their limits and in
some circumstances toppling the top seeds from the usual medal positions.
With consistency, the senior
divisions produced more spirited and brutal sparring bouts, eclipsed only by
the usual brave and technically sound destruction and pattern events. A
highlight for many junior students that enjoy seeing their own demanding instructors
under pressure.
The day ended sharply at 4:30pm
allowing our visiting instructors, umpires and spectators to make the long and
exhausting trip home.
In addition to all committee
chairs, heads and members, we at Scotland ITF would like to thank Reuben, Ben,
and Alison from the Chand Institute for delivering and maintaining the
electronic scoring systems during the tournament. We would also like to give special
thanks to all who occupied the Control Table and to Mr Buxton, Mr & Miss
Richards, Mr Churchward, Mr McCabe, Miss Humphries and Miss Parker for working
tirelessly as centre referees.
We hope to see you all again next
year!
Mr Peter Scott
IV Degree - Scotland ITF
Written by: Mr Peter Scott - 27th March 2012
Sorry, but you need to login to your account to add feedback. Login now, or if you are not a member then apply to join here | 
Log In
