Club Instructor: Simon Griffiths guided his team of vale students all ranging from 5 years of age up to -21 through a busy day of competing some members representing the Vale for the first time in the welsh National Championships which where held in Monmouth leisure centre.

The championship was run by Master Porl Stone and included Teams from throughout Wales.the championships also including selected teams from Scotland Ireland and England.

Using his own championship experience and coaching skills his students were taken through many hard fought matches with excellent Results. The players were finally awarded for there hard work and days results by winning the overall trophy for the best new club of the competition.

Well done Cowbridge !!!

Team Wales was once again putting their skills to the test under the main guidance and coaching skills of Master Porl Stone, accompanied by Welsh Instructor and former AUU junior Olympic Silver medallist Mr Simon Griffiths who made a welcome return for himself and his students back to the championship circuit after a three year absence. Simon started coaching the first of his students, Sebastian Davies, from the Vale of Glamorgan club, this being his first Championships outside Wales. Sebastian’s nerves were preventing him from relaxing and unfortunately he soon found himself trialling in points scored after the first round.

A quick corner talk and adjustment to game play by Simon saw Sebastian enter round two with full guns blazing and he didn’t waste any time exposing all his opponents weaknesses throughout the whole of his division, his final match finished with a 7 point lead and a gold medal to proudly take back to Wales and The Vale.

Next up representing The Vale in the medal race was ‘Jake’ Zasalona whose six foot frame and laid back relaxed approach shone through as he made small work of all 3 opponents, he secured the second Gold for The Vale.

Last but by no means least was Samuel Jones, unexpectedly Sam found himself in the largest and most experienced division of the whole day with European medallists and members of the Irish National team looking for a run out. Undaunted Sam never stopped battling for Cowbridge and Team Wales until unfortunately he was stopped at the bronze medal stage by European medallist and Irish national team player. The boys showed that Cowbridge Taekwondo are back and they mean business!!

The Dorset annual championships are held twice a year and attract clubs from all areas of the Country and this year saw over 300 players attending.

The day started off well with all players correctly weighing in, with only Jacob Stone needed to strip down to his underwear in order to make his allocated weigh division … he was not impressed!

First to take to the mat and fly the Welsh flag was red belt Joseph Whitty (8), who started his first round well matching point for point with his opponent.

By the end of the first round the points were still matched but he really didn’t show his true explosive potential and by the end of the second and final round he was sadly overwhelmed by the occasion and was too nervous to really let his true skill shine through.

Next up was red belt/black tag Jacob “Stoney Jnr” Stone (9) who made it all look a little to easy by beating his opponent 7-0.

His next opponent was a bit more of a challenge and he took a low kick to the groin but even that didn’t slow him down and only seemed to awaken his focus, he came away with a 4-0 victory. After a bit of a rest it was time for fight number 3 which he won 4-0 and was then on his way to the final.

The final fight was the hardest of the day for Jacob as his opponent was just as determined to take the gold medal. The scene was set to be a very explosive and entertaining showdown.

Although Jacob’s opponent was a bit of a scrapper, this didn’t faze him and with almost adult like in his focus and determination he went on to win the final 7-0 and earned himself a shiny gold medal coupled with making Master Stone a very proud Dad.

Next up was Ethan Shellem-Prince (6), green belt/blue tag, and boy did he fight! With more kicks being thrown than a barn full of demented line dancers, he battled forward continually, unfortunately his kicks weren’t quite just hard enough to score but he didn’t give up and battled on right to the end.

Baaqi Abdul (9), green belt/blue tag, took a laid back approach and was as cool as a cucumber as his fight approached, he went out onto the mat and fought very well playing a more defensive game with his opponent but unfortunately his opponent was a little stronger and faster scoring an extra couple of points towards the end.
New girl on the block Lydia Harris (8), yellow belt/green tags, put all her energy into her first fight and bounced and kicked her way to victory… the girl just doesn’t stop! With well aimed push kicks followed by half turning counter kicks she won 11-10 and was on her way to the semi-final.

Unfortunately her next fight wasn’t as successful, she was just down by one point but she still won 3rd place in her category and received a bronze medal.

Kane Harris (7), yellow belt, fought very well in his first fight with Taekwondo Cymru’s Tiny Tigers and he suddenly realised that every time he kicked his opponent hard, the score went up on the monitor.

He clearly liked this idea, so true to form he just kept kicking and looking, kicking and looking until he won the fight 7-3 and was on his way to the final.

His next fight was a bit tougher but he made it to the end of both rounds and came away with a shiny silver medal.

Joseph “Joey” Llewellyn (11), red belt, got ready for his first fight and sat in the coach’s chair ready and waiting for his fight to start.

His opponent didn’t turn up to the ring, rumour has it that he was just too scared, so Joey went straight through to the final where he was up against a small problem in the shape of an International junior black belt and National team member, although out gunned he stood his ground and came home with a silver medal.

Debut fighter Taqrim Ahmed (7), yellow belt, went out onto the mat full of confidence and eager to play, his fight lasted approximately 1 min! Taqrim pulled out his best footwork and his fanciest moves and won 7-0, he made it look as though he was born to compete. Taqrim went home with his gold medal firmly placed around his neck.

James Llewellyn (12), red belt, came up again a black belt who was full of life and head shots. James defended himself extremely well and even though his opponent threw kick after kick after kick, he only lost 2-0. Well done James!
All in all it was a very successful and long day for the Tiny Tigers and they all enjoyed themselves, more to the point they are all fired up and itching to get to the next competition.

I have the pleasure of inviting you and your students to take part in the Welsh National Open Taekwondo Championships 2008. It will take place at Monmouth Leisure Centre on October 5th 2008 and is in association with the Universal Taekwondo Federation and sponsored by elite sports retailer PSM Sportswear.

It is open to all Associations, Clubs and Taekwondo students.

We at Taekwondo Cymru hope that the 2008 Championships will be a time for celebration and bringing together of many Taekwondo clubs in Wales and the unification of friends old and new from all around the UK.

We have made this years event divisions focus mainly on lower grades and younger students and with this in mind we have decided to run 3 separated belt divisions and have also introduced a New Semi-contact Super Peewee division for 4-6 year olds.

We feel this will ensure that the event does not primarily cater for the experienced and elite athletes but act as more of a stepping stone for lower grades or the inexperienced players looking to get their first experience of competition.

Good luck with your training and preparation and we look forward to seeing you in Wales in October.

Click here to download the entry forms

Unexpectedly for this time of year in Wales the rain held off and the sun did really shine on the happy couple. In attendance where Masters Stuart Armatrading, Chris Davies and Porl Stone, Ian Wilcox (who provided the entertainment as always its good to see ex-British team players still having fun) and Cardiff Tiny Tigers Instructor Miss Sara Morgan taekwondo Cymru wish the newlyweds all the best in their future together.

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