Most Successful National Poomsae & Free Style Championships to Date

Its safe to say that 2014 hasnt failed to fulfil our hopes for another successful year for the BT family so far, as were pleased to report another successful national event. The National Poomsae and Free Style Championships is a prominent competition that runs over two days. This year the K2 Leisure Centre in West Sussex hosted it, with competitors and spectators turning out from across the country. The categories were determined by age and ability, with both individual and team competition. Competitors varied greatly in age range, from participants such as Max San aged 5, to Master Graham Jones aged 73. Multiple British Taekwondo clubs celebrated victories, with team awards received by Livingwell, Central, Carlton Arena, Northern Ireland, Nomad and Premier Ki. Competitors were placed up to 4th, and as usual, clubs were awarded ranking points for the positions their athletes achieved. Grandmaster TW Shin 9th Dan (IR) brought his expertise and focus to detail to the event, as he fulfilled the role of Judging Director. Master Derek Sumner, National Poomsae Chairman and former National Champion, commented that the 2014 event has been the most successful to date, with an increase in competitors and great talent being showcased by many clubs.

Aside from the fantastic success of the competitors and management, the event also held a greater significance. It was the first official time Para Taekwondo took centre stage in Poomsae. The two categories: Para WTF and Para Non-WTF saw competitors placed for the first time at a national event. Dharnell Nugent took the gold in Para WTF, with a score of 5.60, while Georgia Stanley achieved second place with 5.27. Both competitors represented Allen TKD. Marc Lynes of Livingwell was ranked 1st in Para Non-WTF, with a score of 5.30. The presence of Para Taekwondo at this event undoubtedly signifies a profound progression within British Taekwondo. The inclusion of para opportunities at prestigious events means that all individuals hold the ability to progress with their sport and art form, to the very best standard. British Taekwondo President Adrian Tranter commented I was delighted to spend the whole day on Saturday enjoying our Poomsae athletes showcasing their skills and talents. Its very clear from the numbers of our younger categories, especially our cadets, that progress is being made, as the standard is of the highest quality. It really pleases me to see so many young people dedicating themselves to the art of our sport. I would like to congratulate all the clubs, and especially the coaches for their fantastic efforts in producing such a standard, its another example of how everyone in British Taekwondo is working so hard together.

We would like to congratulate the many successful competitors and clubs, as well thank and commend the organisers of the very successful event.

CLUBS ENTERED All Stars Allen TKD Best Leg Black Widow Boston Brotherhood Buzz Carlton Arena Central Chung Do Kwan Chung Yong DJS TKD Dynamic Ellisons Empsi Gibraltar Granite City Hadri Halton Heart of England Horizon Ickenham Jaguar Jeon-Sa Juventus Kang Han Livingwell Loughton Manx Milton Keynes Nomad Northern Ireland NTC OB TKD Pejic Phoenix PremierKi Red Sanshin Shins Academy Spitfire Staffs Stoke Tangun Teuk Soo Tuji Ultimate Unite Weymouth & Dorchester Wild Tigers Yong Gi

For further details contact

Adrian Tranter President British Taekwondo Mike Mckenzie Development Officer British Taekwondo Or:s Bethany Bishop Media Officer media@britishtaekwondo.org British Taekwondo, Office 6, Park Road, Mansfield Woodhouse, Nottinghamshire, England, NG19 8ER T: 01623 656025 W: www.britishtaekwondo.org.uk F: www.facebook.com/BritTaekwondo Tw: www.twitter.com/BritTaekwondo