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ITF Wales Awards
Presentation |
The evening started
with Masters Prewett and Taylor saying what a successful
year ITF Wales has had and how Wales' reputation has
grown throughout the world over the last year, how next
year we look forward to improving on this. They thanked
the instructors, students and supporters for all their
hard work and continuous support of ITF Wales through
the year. The first awards presented were by Master
Prewett for the Fairwater students of the year:
| Rhys Prankard
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most improved
junior student |
| Delme Pezzack
|
most improved
senior student |
| Flynn Woodward |
junior student
of the year |
| Rob Miller |
senior student
of the year |
Then Master Taylor
present the Ely students of the year:
| Gareth Francis
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junior student
of the year |
| Cassie Lund I
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senior student
of the year |
Next up were the overall
winners of the Grand Prix and MAsters Prewett and Taylor
presented the 1st, 2nd and 3rd places in each of the
three divisions:
| Kane Collins
|
Fairwater |
under 13
overall first |
| Stephen Cocks |
Lisvane |
under 13
overall second |
| Bethan Pezzack |
Fairwater |
under 13
overall third |
| Conah Prosser |
Ely |
13-17 overall
first |
| Ben Hull |
Ey |
13-17 overall
second |
| Gareth Francis |
Ely |
13-17 overall
third |
| Carlos Sendra |
Cardiff
University |
+18 overall
first |
| Rob Beavis |
Cardiff
University |
+18 overall
second |
| Daniel Neale |
Ely |
+18 overall
third |
The final presentation
was Miss Phillips presenting Master Taylor with a token
of appreciation from the school for all his hardwork for
them throughout the year and this was followed by two of
the Ely students presenting Miss Phillips with a gift
from the school for all her work with them.
With all the formality
out of the way everyone was then free to relax and dance
the night away as many did. A special mention must go
out to Carlos "Michael Jackson" Sendra who entertained
everyone with his silky skills on the dance floor. We
would like to thank everyone for their support for ITF
Wales throughout the whole year and a final thank you to
Mrs Clare Matthews IV for organising the evening and
making it such a success as everyone was agreed it was a
really good night for all. |
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Irish National Championships
Saturday 11th November - UCD Dublin |
| The day
started off with the under 13 red belts patterns event
which saw Fairwaters Delme Pezzack, Bethan Pezzack and
Kane Collins go up against each other. The Irish system
of 3-4 competitors up at a time and then being scored
for overall positions and everyone having to do the
lower belt patterns meant the black tags were all doing
Hwa Rang and it also meant that they only had to do
patterns once, then after all the entrants had performed
their patterns the scores were tallied and result given
and we saw Kane get bronze, Delme silver and Bethan gold
a great start for the Welsh. Next up in patterns was Tom
Harris I (Ely) in the adult I & II dan patterns, Tom
started well with a strong patterns but a momentary
lapse saw him lose the movement and have to stop as he
couldn't recover and had to bow out in the 1st round.
Next in the 13-17 red belts we saw Lanny James and Conah
Prosser of Ely school following the early system
each went up in a different group of red belts and
having to do Hwa Rang both seemed to put in the best
performances of their groups, once the totals were
calculated it was announced that they had both taken
bronze medals despite their solid performances. Next up
was Sarah Jones (Ely) in the 13-17 yellow belts -
overcoming nerves and concentrating hard she performed
well and was rewarded with a silver for her efforts. The
final Welsh competitors for the pattern events were
George Crews I and Lee Burridge I both from Fairwater,
both performed well and moved into the semi finals with
good wins, unfortunately they drew each other in the
semi final and after two close patterns the decision
narrowly went to George for him to progress to the final
leaving Lee with a bronze. In the final George faced a
more experienced II dan but still did himself proud by
showing a high competent standard but had to settle for
silver as the opponents experience showed through.
Following the patterns the flying side kick special
technique was entered by Delme, Kane and George
from Fairwater entering the under 14 event with George
making the final three before having to bow out. Lanny
and Conah from Ely entered the 14-17 scissors kick
special technique both giving a good account of
themselves.
The first
up to spar was Tom Harris I fighting in the adult -80kg
black belt group, moving and scoring well in his quarter
final he took a good lead against his Irish opponent and
held it to move through to the semi final - here he then
faced and older heavier III dan and despite giving a
good account of himself was unable to break the opponent
down and score enough to take the bout, but can be
pleased with his performance and a well deserved bronze.
Then the 13-17 black belt event commenced, with George
Crews competing for the first time at this level and Lee
Burridge having to withdraw due to injury. George fought
very well not letting the older and taller opponents
intimidate him and made it through the final where he
once again faced a taller, older, heavier and
higher grade II dan. A good display was put on by George
but he was unable to overcome all the advantages his
opponent held and had to settle but can be more than
happy with that from his first teen competition. In the
under 12's first up was Kane Collins in the blue-red
group, facing someone over head taller and a stone
heavier Kane moved well to avoid his attacks but was
unable to get in and score anything back so had to
accept going out in the 1/4 final. Next up we saw Bethan
Pezzack in the u12 green-red female sparring, from the
first kick of the quarter final Beth dominated her bouts
taking the initiative and scoring point after point,
winning her quarter final despite a yellow card and
warnings for supposed excessive contact. In the semi
final she faced one of Irelands colour belt team and did
well to control the fight using side kicks well to keep
her opponent away and score, receiving yet another
yellow card and warnings for sparring to the same level
of contact as her opponent she still did well enough to
win the bout. In her final she kept up her good work and
won a good round of sparring to give her her second gold
of the day. In the 12-14 division we saw Delme Pezzack
and Conah Prosser both up in the male red belt sparring.
Both fighting well using a good combination of strong
side kicks, turning kicks and hand work to over come
their opponents they progressed to the semi final but
were unfortunate to draw each other here, fighting a
more cautious than normal but good attack counterattack
fight both lads performed well in a fairly close fight,
with Conah receiving a yellow card to both of the
competitors surprise as well as the spectators the final
decision went Delme's way having used his hands well to
pull ahead in points. Moving into the final Delme went
out and controlled the fight from the word go and picked
up a very well deserved gold.
Our last sparrer was Lanny
James in the 12-14 green/red belt females, her quarter
final was against a taller heavier red belt and Lan used
her sped to move in and out - struggling to deal with
the girls longer legs she relied on here hands and
picked her off and won the bout despite a yellow card
for excessive contact. In the semi final it was a a very
attack minded blue belt as opponent - both girls lifting
the tempo and fast flurries of hands and feet came
through with Lan standing her ground and flooring her
opponent twice with side kicks both of which earned her
a yellow card for excessive contact yet the back hand
strikes and hooks coming at didn't even merit a warning.
Despite the warnings and yellow cards all piled up on
Lan she still won the bout and moved into the final.
Here she faced a taller and slightly heavier blue tags
opponent. The girl used her legs well to keep Lan out so
once more Lan resorted to working her way in and using
hands with occasional side kicks to keep the pressure
on, this bout somehow ended in a draw decision despite
a one sided fight. In the extra time Lan picked it up a
little and took the fight to her opponent and with yet
another yellow card being issued against Lan - this time
for a jumping punch to the head which looked a perfectly
good scoring attack - the final decision went Lans way
and she picked up her first gold in Ireland.
Finishing
with 1 gold, 1 silver and 4 bronze for Ely and 3 gold, 3
silver and 2 bronze from Fairwater meant a very good
tally for the Welsh students, coupled with Bethan
Phillips coming runner up in the junior overall for her
two gold they can all be very proud of their
performances. We would also like to thank all the Irish
who made us feel welcome and thanked us for our
supporting their competition. |
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World VII Junior and II Veteran Championships 26th-30th
July - Bulgaria |
|
Day 1 - patterns: Sophie Collins II dan junior female patterns won her first round easily
against her Australian opponent performing much stronger of the two. In
her second round despite showing more power she lost to the reigning
European champion from Greece who went on to take silver. Cassie Lund I
dan junior female patterns put in a stronger pattern with good legs in
her first round to ease past her Greek opponent in round 1. In her next
round she faced an Argentinean of very similar style and power which
actually led to the first decision being 3 draws and one vote either
way, the second pattern ended 3 draws and 2 votes to Argentina which
still wasn't enough for a clear win leaving the girls to compete in a
third designated pattern where the Argentinean managed to raise her
level to take the round five votes in her favour. Tom Harris I dan
junior male patterns comfortably moved past his Chilean opposite in the
first round but was beaten in the second round by a stronger Belarusian
opponent. Dave Lund I dan veteran male patterns Easily beat his first
round opponent who for some reason chose to do a colour belt pattern as
his option! Keeping up his good performance he then beat his second
round opponent to move into the semi-final. In the semi-final he lost to
a stronger performing Uzbekistani who went on to take silver but it was
a good event for Dave who adds this bronze for patterns to the one he
won in the Veteran world Championships in Malaysia. Last up in the
patterns was Neville Thompson I dan veteran male patterns, who drew one
of three Canadians in his group - due to a back injury he had to opt for
Kwang-Gae as his pattern and put in a good effort but was unfortunately
beaten by his opponent. Day 2
- veteran sparring :
Dave Lund I male -64kg sparring was drawn against the Dominican Republic
VI dan and did well for the first round working his opponent out,
but in the second round the Dominican proved to be too fast with good
legs and movement an despite a close fight Dave went out on a
points decision. Neville Thompson I -90kg sparring drew a home opponent
from Bulgaria in round 1, with better legs Neville tried to keep him off
with strong side kicks however the Bulgarian had strong hands and kept
Neville under pressure, The Bulgarian's powerful punching eventually
winning the necessary points for him to advance to the next round.
Day 3 - junior sparring:
Sophie Collins II female -52kg sparring drew an Estonian in her first
round, a cagey first round was fought with the Estonian using he height
to keep Sophie away but in the second round Sophie picked up her game to
look like a true international using strong side kicks and good hands to
pick the Estonian off and easily win the bout. Next up she faced a
Ukrainian in the quarter final, it took a while but by the second round
the Ukrainian had figured out Sophie's side kick and was able to use her
hands to pick her off. Despite two yellow cards for contact on very hard
head punches the Ukrainian took the match. Cassie Lund I female
-58kgsparring faced a Paraguayan first round and the strong side
kicks took their toll on her with Cassie winning this round easily. In
the next round she face dan Australian and Cassie started the match the
stronger and then began using her back leg turning kick to great
advantage, she kept working hard despite a weakened arm and despatched
her opponent quite easily. Her third round saw her face a strong Serbian
opponent, both girl were evenly matched for their work with Cassie using
her better legs and the Serbian trying to pick her off with good hands.
After the two 2 minute rounds the decision was a draw, in extra time
Cassie's stamina showed through as she kept working the left leg
kick followed by back leg turning kick. Her Serbian opponent couldn't
figure out the side kick repeatedly trying to attack with the same leg
which worked to Cassie's advantage and she won the match in extra time.
Moving into the semi final Cassie faced a Tajikistani girl, who despite
being smaller had great timing and was able to move around picking shot
off of Cassie, despite her strength working to her advantage the
previous round draw and extra time started to take its toll as
tiredness showed but the Tajikistani kept moving and picked up the
points to win and went went on to take gold. Tom Harris I male -57kg
drew a much taller and stronger Bulgarian as his opponent in the first
round who with home advantage left Tom in no doubt he was in for a hard
fight. Working well in the first round he kept his side kick long and
aimed to come off the back leg. Towards the end of the round the
Bulgarians stronger hands started to show through as tom came under
pressure. In the second round the Bulgarian stepped the pace up and tom
did well to pick off shots with the back leg turning kick. Unfortunately
the match then came to a hasty end when a luck reverse turning kick to
the head coupled with a very hasty decision by the Bulgarian
doctor to not allow tom to continue meant the bout was over with tom
being declared unable to continue.
Well done to everyone for a terrific tournament, with over 90 nations
competing Wales's medals put them in the top 20 nations with only four
other smaller nations finishing any higher. The competitors all
performed great and did well for themselves and their country. A special
mention must also go to Victoria Phillips I who stepped in at the last
minute to take over the coaching position and did a great job out in
Bulgaria and who also provided this detailed report of the tournament,
thank you very much.
full
results |
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Welsh Open 2006 - Saturday 27th May
WIS Cardiff |
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This bank holiday weekend
saw the Welsh Open take place in the Welsh Institute of
Sport, Cardiff. Over 50 schools competed with more than
270 students entered. As well as the Welsh schools
entered we saw English, Scottish and Irish schools come
to Wales for the tournament, from further a fields Mr
Željko Gvozdič V brought two of his national team
members over to Wales to compete for the first time,
Miss Nika Plečnik I and Miss Eva Baš I - this along with
Polish and Colombian/Chilean blood in other competitors
made for a very cosmopolitan mix in the days events.
Starting out with the black belt patterns the day
progressed through it's events and divisions. After a
long day of patterns, sparring, special technique and
power the results finally came through with local Welsh
school Ely coming 1st on the day with 48 points, 2nd
place were RTA Didcot - England and 3rd Carrick -
Ireland. We hope everyone had a good day and look
forward to seeing you all back for next years Open.
full results. |
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Grand Prix 2006 stage II -
Sunday 7th May Eastern Leisure Centre |
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The second stage of the 2006 Grand Prix ran this weekend
and was a good success with almost a 100 competitors
from over a dozen schools partaking. Starting around
09:30 the events ran smoothly and culminated in the
awards ceremony which closed the tournament around
14:00. Well done to all that entered for their great
efforts and enthusiastic support. |
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Seminar/Grading - 25th March |
| The first seminar of the
year for ITF Wales was held in Heath Hospital Sports
Hall and instructed by Master Ray O'Neill VII of
Wiltshire, he was assisted by Mr Dean Matthews IV and Mr
Darren Johns II. the students that attended had a good
seminar covering some of the finer points of Taekwon-Do
practical and theory and were also introduced to new
training techniques to help develop their skills. |
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Scottish Open - Saturday
18th March - Grobals Leisure Centre Glasgow |
| The Weekend started well
with a nice trip from Cardiff to Glasgow, all being well
until we actually hit Glasgow and took a little detour
for 30 minutes or so. Eventually getting to our hotel we
dropped our stuff off and set back out to drop in to
Miss Marion Sherlock III Easterhouse School, after yet
another little detour from Easterhouse Sports Centre to
the correct venue we eventually got there and met up.
Miss Sherlock gave the youngsters a short break so they
could mix and meet each other and a little struggling
with accents everyone seemed to figure out who was who.
The class then commenced staying with a stretching and
pattern theme to avoid any injuries before the next days
tournament. After the class one of Miss Sherlocks young
yellow belts presented the Welsh party with a Scottish
bear mascot (Thanks Brogan it brought us lots of luck).
The day started in the under 13 division with Kane
Collins (Fairwater) and Bethan Pezzack (Fairwater) ,
both put on excellent displays of pattern work and went
through to the final where Bethan’s power edge the round
for her to pick up gold and Kane take silver. In the red
belt group Delme Pezzack was unlucky to go out in the
quarter final from a narrow vote, finally in the Ben
Miller I (Fairwater) performed well in the black belt
patterns but nerves just got to him at the end of the
second pattern and he had to settle for bronze. In the
13-17 division Ben Hull (Ely) was up first and put on a
good show to move through to the final and take gold, in
the blue belts Lanny James worked well and to into the
final but a loss of concentration allowed her opponent
to take gold and leave her with silver. In the red belts
Gareth Francis (Ely) and Conah Prosser (Ely) both
performed very well and ended up facing each other in
the final where Conah’s form held firm for him to take
gold leaving Gareth with silver. In the black belt group
Cassie Lund I (Ely) put in a very good performance in
the quarter final but was narrowly beaten by the
eventual gold medallist. Tom Harris I (Ely) did a good
pattern but was unable to advance beyond the quarter
final stage. Finally Sophie Collins II (Fairwater) took
gold in the II dan patterns event with a very solid
performance. Moving into the sparring events we started
off with the under 13 blue belts, here Kane Collins took
gold in the -135 group and Bethan Pezzack took gold in
the -146 group – both sparred very well dominating their
bouts. In the red belts Delme Pezzack was very
unfortunate to have to withdraw from the quarter final,
despite having the bout in the bag, due an injury
inflicted. Whilst sparring. Ben Miller I fought well but
was unable to overcome his opponent but picked up a
bronze from his semi final. In the 13-17 division Ben
Hull fought well in the green belts and secured gold in
his final with a solid round. The blue/red belt female
sparring saw Lanny James pick up gold as she easily
overcame her opponent. The red belt male group saw
Gareth Francis and Conah Prosser both move through the
rounds with very good displays of sparring to face each
other again in a final, after a very good round a draw
was called so they had to re-fight and it was in this
round that Gareth found a little bit extra and scored
the point needed to give him the gold this time and
leave Conah with silver. Finally up in the black belt
groups Cassie Lund I and Sophie Collins II both put on
good shows of strong sparring to move through to the
finals in each of their weight categories, both girls
then went on to control their final fights well with
good displays of sparring and take gold for their
efforts. Our final competitor of the day was Tom Harris
I in the male black belt sparring, in his final he
dominated the bout and picked up a gold medal. Various
competitors entered the special technique and power
events with the best effort coming from Ben Miller who
narrowly lost out in the under 13 black belts special
technique – having made it to the last two. As a nice
end of the day Ben Hull picked up an overall for the
13-17 years old group and in the final rankings Ely
School came 4th and Fairwater 9th form the 33 schools
competing on the day. Overall it was a very good
competition for the Welsh contingent and a fantastic
weekend for all who travelled. We would like to thank
Miss Sherlock III and all her students for their
hospitality and the support they gave us in the
competition. We now look forward to their visit to us in
May for the Welsh Open and hope you have as much fun
then. Finally there is a thank you to all the parents
and supporters who made the trip possible for these
competitors to go and show what they are capable of.
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Promotion
- 26th February Glasgow |
| Congratulations to
George Crews (Fairwater) for his promotion to I dan at
this weekends black belt grading with Grand Master Rhee
Ki Ha IX at Glasgow. |
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Grand Prix 2006 stage I -
Sunday 12th February, Eastern Leisure Centre |
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The ITF Wales Grand Prix entered it's fourth year
this weekend and continues to be a platform for good displays of
Taekwon-Do for schools throughout Wales, This event saw around 130
competitors from 15 different schools take part and even a Spaniard and
Brazilian in the mix. Starting off around 9:30 with the pattern events
the three categories of each division were run through without much
delay, once these 9 events were out of the way it was time to move on
with the 19 sparring categories from under 13 -135 white belts right
through to +18 +80kg blue/red belts. The competition was closed up with
Master Taylor VII leading the trophy presentation for each category
leaving everyone free by two pm and able to get off in time to watch
more Welsh success on the rugby field. Results will follow soon.
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Seminar Saturday 11th
February - Aberystwyth/Tywyn |
| The Aberystwyth and
Tywyn schools played host to Master Ray O'Neill VII for
this weekends seminar. There was a good turn out of
students who all enjoyed the seminar run by Master
O'Neill. For any further details please contact Mr Peter
Billing I on 029 2021 2516 or
peterbp@aol.com
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