Twelve members of irish ITF travelled to Cardiff in October to attend one of the biggest competitions of the year, the British Championships. There were over 400 competitors in divisions of 9 years and over ( Children to take part in Regional Stomps) in attendance with teams from Spain, Germany, Scotland, Wales, Sweden, England, Netherlands and Ireland.

In the face of such strong opposition our members needed to get medals early in the Patterns sections. Mark Henebery, competing as a Black Belt for the first time took our first Gold, quickly followed by Silver medal''''s for John O'''' Connor and Luke Byrne. Then Nina May Brady, Starra Clarke and Andy Wongprachan completed the patterns sections with three well deserved Bronze medals, taking our early total to six medals.

In the Sparring sections the medals continued to flow in with Rokas Baika and Chelsey Pitman becoming British Champions with Gold medal winning performances. Adding to their earlier medals Andy Wongprachan, Starra Clarke and Nina May Brady took Silver medals whilst Rachel Rossiter, Liam Whelan Ruairi O'''' Sullivan, and Dylan O'''' Connor added their Bronze medals to get us to a 19 medal total.

Power and Special Technique sections are strong area''''s for our members so when Andy Wongprachan (Special) completed a full range of medals winning Gold in the Cadet section, quickly followed by Adult Power Bronze medals for John O'''' Connor and Starra Clarke it capped a fantastic day for our members and supporters.

A special word for Ryan Byrne who assisted in the umpiring on the day which is a huge effort for a young lad at such a prestigious event. Congratulations to Master Nicholls and the tournament committee for staging this very successful and well organised event and we will return next year with a bigger contingent from ireland. Thank you to all parents for supporting us and helping this to be the most successful competition we have attended.