BackHayes Success at STOMP 2012

After weeks of hard training in preparation for the STOMP competition, junior members of Hayes Taekwon-Do Academy travelled down to Slough to compete and cheer along their club mates in the much anticipated region one competition. As always it was a packed out venue with students competing from Yiewsley, Uxbridge, Hillingdon, Greenford, Langley, Yeading and Harefield.

Up first and representing the Hayes club were the Generation-X division. This was a great opportunity for the kids to practise all that they had learnt in class. All members performed extremely well, wowing the audience as they took to the floor with confidence and determination (and with a massive smile on their face). After all pattern categories were finished, it was time for the Gen-X students to pad up and prepare themselves for the sparring. Once again the Hayes students put on a great display of techniques and ring craft, show-casing a great demonstration of Taekwon-Do.

Mid-day saw the arrival of the cadet members, well rested and raring to compete. After some nervous practice runs in the warm-up area the students were called to the mat to perform their tul (Pattern) work. Each student performed well, win or lose, and took each decision with humility. For many this was their first competition and was a great opportunity to gain experience and compete alongside their club friends. Perhaps more importantly than winning or losing was to see the cheering and support each child gave one-another throughout the event.

The day was rounded of by a much anticipated red belt sparring category of which one members of Hayes Academy took part in. This was a category to not be missed as all fighters competed against each other in a round-robin (all vs. all) system. After rounds of close competitive match ups Hayes student Harry Hethrington secured bronze in a very stong and evenly matched division. A good finish to a good day.

Well done to all those that competed in the event and a massive thank you to the parents and friends who travelled down to Slough to cheer along for the students, the support was much appreciated.