THIS MONTH IN TAEKWONDO & KOREAN MARTIAL ARTS
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BRITAIN TO STAGE FIRST EVER INTERNATIONAL TAEKWONDO OPEN |
 Britain will stage its first ever major taekwondo Open later this year when Manchester’s Sportcity plays host to The British International Open from 1st-2nd November.
The creation of this major international tournament is further testament of Britain’s rapidly growing status within the Olympic sport, having successfully staged the World Olympic Qualifiers last year.
The event, which will be open to both domestic and international athletes, is being supported by UK Sport and Manchester City Council. There will be no qualification process for aspiring competitors which means top British club athletes will have an invaluable opportunity to gain vital experience against Olympic, World and European Champions.
John Scott, International Director of UK Sport said “Setting up this annual event is an integral part of British taekwondo’s aim to become one of the top taekwondo nations in the world, allowing world class competition to take place on an annual basis in the UK. This event will allow all of the 16 British elite team members and the entire British Junior squad the opportunity to experience fighting on home soil in front of the home crowd...”
Read more in the Digital Edition
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GRANDMASTER ANDY AH PO - The future of Tang Soo Do in the uk |
 Grandmaster Andy Ah Po (Dan Bon #10187) of Sacramento, California USA is one of only five individuals who actually tested and was subsequently promoted to the rank of 8th Dan by the late Great Grandmaster Hwang Kee, founder of the Tang Soo Do (Soo Bahk Do) Moo Duk Kwan a traditional Korean martial arts system. Kwan Jang Nim Ah Po (who is the founder of the Tang Soo Do Martial Way Association, Inc.) was given the honour of being the late Great Grandmaster and Mrs.Hwang Kee’s personal escort during the early 1970’s and served in that capacity for nearly 30 years.
He personally witnessed 48 years of continued Tang Soo Do evolution as a direct student of the late Kwan Jang Nim Hwang Kee and has studied martial arts for over 60 years. In September, 2007 Kwan Jang Nim Ah Po travelled to the U.K. for the first time at the invitation of the British Tang Soo Do Federation (www.midlandsfmac.com) to conduct clinics and seminars for member organizations of the currently 2000 strong Tang Soo Do Union an organization that was recently established in Great Britain (www.tangsoodounion.com).
During your first visit to the UK you have already met and taught clinics and seminars to the members of eleven different Tang Soo Do organizations who are currently affiliated with the Tang Soo Do Union. Being fortunate enough to have attended all three clinics I have noted on more than one occasion that you have asked participants the following question, ‘Who is currently practicing and teaching Tang Soo Do properly?’ Can I ask why you have asked that question and what your own response to that question is?
Prior to my visit to the U.K. I was made aware of the fact that currently there are not just one or two but rather several Tang Soo Do organizations currently functioning in the U.K. I was also advised that not all of these organizations may be teaching exactly the same Tang Soo Do curriculum and that there was admittedly a notable difference in the overall physical performance of Tang Soo Do practitioners in the U.K. vs. the U.S. I was also told that the overall physical performance of American Tang Soo Do practitioners appeared to be somewhat more refined and may include more curriculum than may be currently taught in England, and that there was a concern by those who invited me that I may be disappointed and possibly critical of what I would observe during my visit...
Read more in Combat Magazine available from WHSmith and all good newsagents
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RUMBLE IN THE JUNGLE - Report by Tracey Leonard |
 On Sunday 9th March, over 250 competitors (of which 89 were fielded from the L.T.S.I.) took part in what many claim is the L.T.S.I.’s tournament of the year, considering it is not run as a National event.
I.T.F. and A.M.A. schools from all over the U.K. attended the 5th South East Opens which was, once again, being hosted by senior Instructor, Mr. Chris Snow, 5th Degree. Master Harry attended and offered support to the L.T.S.I., which was a real confidence boost for them - there were also many 6th, 5th and 4th Degrees who showed willing and gave full support. Once again, up for grabs was a four foot regional title for the best school - the members would have to work hard to de-seed the 2007 winners, Rayners Lane Tae Kwon Do...
Read more in the Digital Edition
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NISCHELE PATEL - British Asian Sports Awards Winner! |
 Outstanding news for a Prestigious Award! Nischele Patel was a Final Nominee for the Brtish Asian Sports Awards for the Female under 18’s category and came out a WINNER.
The British Asian Sports Awards (Sponsored by Sony Entertainment TV Asia) was held on Saturday 16th February 2008 at London Hilton Hotel, Park Lane. Nischele was presented her award by Keith Vaz MP and Mohmed Razip Hasan, Director of Tourism Malaysia. Other guests who were present at the event include Mark Ramprakash, Amir Khan and Gerry Sutcliffe MP, Minister of Sport.
(BASA is now in its 7th year and was developed to provide a springboard for the immense British Asian sporting talent which exists within the UK. BASA’s aim is to bring this talent to the forefront in clear view of those people in charge. Those people who may not have yet considered South Asians as athletes or any kind of sports person).
Nischele is a 14 year old, 2nd Dan Black Belt National Fighter in WTF Taekwondo who at present is seeded number 3 in the -42kg in the 14-17 age group. She achieved 1st Dan at the age of 11 and 2nd at the age of 13...
Read more in Combat Magazine available from WHSmith and all good newsagents
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DUTCH OPEN - British Taekwondo Team’s Impressive Eight Medals! |
 The Great Britain taekwondo team have returned from the 35th Dutch Open in the Netherlands with a stunning eight medals. Their successes, which included a gold medal for Beijing hopeful Sarah Stevenson, is an increase of a gold and silver medal compared to last year results when Britain colleted six medals at this same event.
Stevenson (All Stars Taekwondo Club, Doncaster) beat Nina Solheim of Norway in the final of the -72kg category to clinch gold, her gold was one of three medals which came from female British athletes competing at the event. Louise Mair (Elgin Taekwondo Club, Scotland) also took gold having overcome a tough Iranian opponent in an enthralling semi-final. Louise’s final opponent withdrew from the final due to injury. Finally, Bianca Walkden (Elite Taekwondo Club, Liverpool) also won a junior gold in the +68kg weight category completing an exciting weekend for the female squad members...
Read more in the Digital Edition
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 The fundamentals of ASAP Self Defence are: being Aware, keeping Safe, being Assertive and being Prepared. Being aware reduces the opportunity for would-be attackers. Being aware includes being aware of our surroundings, being observant, recognising the likelihood of trouble and taking action to avoid it before it begins; being aware that many attackers choose their victims based on vulnerability.
So, being aware of body language - our own and others - is important. Looking confident can deter a would-be attacker. Being aware also includes recognising the give away signs of a prospective attacker (such as invasion of personal space or a close and persistent following and their use of pre-attack dialogue). Listening to music in public through headphones/earphones makes it easier for the attacker to sneak up on the victim by surprise. Also, if potential victims are seen to have on their possession expensive items it is likely to heighten the chances of getting attacked...
Read more in Combat Magazine available from WHSmith and all good newsagents
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BLACK BELT GRADING SUCCESS |
 After 3 and a half years training and 4 hours of being on the grading floor, Daniel and Thomas Peacock passed their Junior Black Belts on the 23rd February 2008. They were helped along with 3 other members who were taking their pre-Black Belt grading, those being, Megan and James Taylor and Matthew Edgoose and what an inspiration all 5 were, giving 110% throughout.
After going through all basic stances, kicks, punches and blocks they had to perform straight attack defence, knife defence, releases from grabs and chokes, one for one kicking and sparring. After all that it was time to show they had power in their moves by doing a multiple break of 4 boards, each piece of wood being 8” x 12” and 3/4” thick. Two breaks had to be performed with lower limbs i.e. kicks and two with the upper limbs, punches, elbows, knife hand etc. and performed in a flowing and continuous cycle...
Read more in the Digital Edition
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