TrenicTKD bring back Gold at European Taekwon-Do Championships On the 10th July selected members travelled out to Barcelona to compete against the best in Europe, battling it out for the prestigious European title. After competing against stiff competition in a rigorous seeding process and attending National squad training confidence was high as the final squad was announced.

Representing the UK from Trenic-TKD were students Matthew Brunger, Laurie Cornwell, Jamie McAvoy, Reece Nicholls, Luke Dempsey, Gemma O’Connor, Jay Gilbert, Gavinder Sidhu, Gurlaine Sidhu and Aaron Mather instructed and supported under Master T. Nicholls.

 After a prompt weight in and coaches meeting the event was ready to commence and up first was our most junior competitor Aaron Mather who battled his way through tough competition taking a Bronze in his Patterns and a well-deserved gold in sparring. This was a great start to the teams medal haul and with confidence high saw Matthew Brunger and Jamie McAvoy quickly follow in suit and win gold in their individual patterns categories. Although falling short of the medals podium in their patterns Reece Nicholls, Gavinder Sidhu and Luke Dempsey were left more determined than ever to make up for it in the sparring and did so in exceptional fashion. In very busy and talented divisions Gavinder, Luke and Reece battled through the competition leaving Reece to take the gold in his fourth title defence and a close loss for both Gavinder and Luke who competing well in a division crowed with so much talent. Also retaining his European title and earning his second gold of the event was Jamie McAvoy who dominated his division, outclassing his opponents.

 Following the success of the UK men’s team were the ladies who were eager to step onto the ring and fight for their place on the medal table. Competing in the 3rd Degree patterns group was Gurlaine Sidhu, Jay Gilbert and Gemma O’Connor. Jay and Gemma performed exceptionally well earning join bronze position will Gurlaine falling just short of a medal position. Determined to improve upon their patterns, the ladies entered their sparring categories focused with a set game plan, highlighting them as the true professional fighters they are. As the final bell was called Gemma, Gurlaine and Jay were each crowned European Champions respectively. Lastly up was defending European champion and world silver medallist Laurie Cornwell who against seasoned competitors was able to chip away the competition to earn a bronze medal in her patterns divisions and after a long day of waiting was called to the ring to defend her sparring title. This was unfortunately not to be her competition taking an early controversial loss. This will only leave her more fired up and determined for the next event.

 To finish of the competition was a 5 person team challenge of which member from the TrenicTKD were privileged to be selected for. Both male and female teams fought, broke boards and performed patterns against teams from Italy, Spain, Russia, Czech Republic, Moldova and Sweden. This was a great finale to the event which was greeted with a great response from the crown. Well done to all the Trenic students that earned their place in the UK team and represented their country positively at such a prestigious event. The mens team performed extremely well earning a gold in team patterns and silver in both team sparring and team special technique and the ladies equally performed well to achieve a two silvers in team patterns and sparring and earned two bronzes in special technique and power.  

 We would like to take this opportunity to thank the coaching team who have worked tirelessly on the build to and during the championships, the admin staff who have helped to aid to the smooth running of the event and of course Master Nicholls for his continual support and guidance.