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!!