BACK   4th February 2010

 By Master K. Jervis 7^th Dan

 

The BTCB National Championships took place over the weekend of 30^th and 31^st January 2010.

 

Last years tournament had a record number of entries but with the sport continuing to grow in popularity this year’s event surpassed those figures with 493 players fighting for medals over this 2 day competition at Manchester’s Tennis centre.

 

All male and female senior categories took place on day one which saw some outstanding performances from athletes keen to showcase their ability with The London 2012 Olympics firmly in their sights.

 

The countdown to that event has already started and as the host nation Team GB is guaranteed 2 male and 2 female positions.

 

There are only 4 Olympic weight categories as opposed the normal 8 at all other international and domestic events.

 

With that in mind, players totally focused on being selected for the Games are now beginning to change weight categories so they can come up against quality athletes.

 

Everyone is well aware of the need to up their game this year. The Academy has space for more players but with the emphasis now being on closer more one on one coaching for their elite players only players of the right calibre will be considered.

 

They could be spotted at tournaments like this or via Sport Taekwondo UK’s 2012 Fighting Chance initiative which has seen over 1000 players apply from other fighting disciplines.

 

Over 200 of those have been invited to the next stage of this initiative for the physical tests, being supported by UK Sport.

 

Competition for selection to the Academy will be really fierce this year and athletes will have to be outstanding if selected from the Fighting Chance initiative as players at this tournament really showed their worth. Some performances were simply breathtaking.

 

This was particularly the case when Craig Brown changed weight category to go up against previous Academy player, Aaron Cook.

 

WTF Taekwondo doesn’t get much better than this and these 2 athletes put on a fantastic display of Olympic Taekwondo.

 

The match went to Aaron, 22-14 although he was really tested by Craig during all 3 rounds.

 

It was Aaron’s first fight of the day and his class really shone through, winning all of his matches to take gold at the end of the day.

 

National coach, Nelson Miller commented, “I believe the performances of the players from the Elite Academy were really good. They showed a complete superiority in this National Championship. There was confidence in their approach to the day clearly displaying they knew what was required and delivered because of their commitment with their goals and targets and in their own development in the programme.”

 

Martin Stamper, Gold -68kg (Liverpool Elite), Bianca Walkden, Gold + 73kg (Liverpool Elite), Michael Harvey, Silver -63kg (Manchester Aces) and Dawoud Izza, Gold -63kg (St. Katharine’s Taekwondo) also stood out with brilliant performances, as did previous Academy player Kieron Briggs, (Sheffield Taekwondo Academy) who took Gold in the -58kg category.

 

There were also good performances from Caroline Fisher -53kg (Scorpion), Louise Mair -49kg (Focus), Azamat Bekturov -74kg (London Taekwondo Academy) and Daryl Stokes -87kg (OTC) who all took Gold in their respective categories.

 

A special congratulations also to Joanne Nash, (Ultimate) who at 36 years of age returned to the ring after a number of years to claim Gold in the Senior Female -63kg category.  

 

Josh Webley, (Future Taekwondo) in the -68kg category also caught the eye of Nelson Miller as he took Academy player Jordan Gale to sudden death only narrowly loosing out on a win.

 

Nelson was also impressed with Craig Eden and his brother Ross who both showed great promise for the future.

 

Nelson commented,” With the new rule changes giving more points for head shots and techniques executed with a turn of the body, fighting styles are now changing to adapt to that. Athletes are now taking more risks in an effort to get themselves into a position where they can throw techniques which if successful will gain them additional points.

 

Many high shots are being attempted and 180 degree turn kicks and back kicks are being used much more frequently now. Doubling up the turn kicks is still however almost an essential skill for players wishing to notch up points when close in.”

 

Summing up day one, Gary Hall, Performance Director of Sport Taekwondo UK, the sporting arm of the BTCB said of the day, “The highlight for me today is seeing a record number of athletes yet again for a National Championship. There has also been a move forward of the quality of performances by the athletes involved. This is not unexpected 2 years out from an Olympic Games.

 

There is further excitement around the talent 2012 initiative and we believe this may add further strength to the quality of athletes that GB is now producing.

 

My congratulations also go out to everyone competing today for the quality of their performances and a big thanks to everyone who helped put this event together.

 

Special congratulations also to Ultimate Taekwondo who finished number one Team, especially as they took top spot last year at these championships.   

 

I would also like to compliment the hard work done by club coaches up and down the country who through their efforts have helped to produce ever increasingly more talented players of the highest calibre to take part in this BTCB National Championship”.