A report from the Phoenix Taekwondo 2023 Winter Dan Grading.

The full cast from the Winter 2023 Black Belt Grading Examinations hosted at Phoenix Taekwondo – 122 participants, 17 Clubs, 8 Examiners, performing 366 Taekwondo patterns, breaking 187 boards, 162 knife disarms, 120 minutes of sparring with 244 shinguards, 122 body protectors and 1 Mayor!

Following a successful national seminar in September, an alliance of Taekwondo clubs from all over the country organised the Winter 2023 Dan Promotion Black Belt Examinations on Sunday 19th November. This fully sanctioned British Taekwondo event was hosted by Phoenix Taekwondo in Oxfordshire and attracted 122 candidates from 17 clubs from all over the country.

The candidates ranging from those attempting their 1st Dan Black Belt through to a handful aiming for 5th Dan Master grade were all put through their paces by an extensive grading panel. The panel was led by Grand Master Ian Lennox (Kang Han) and Grand Master Alan Steeper (Boston) with their team of supporting 6th Dan Black Belt Masters Chris Pearson (Phoenix), Jamie Tuxford, Darrell Carrington (Kang Han), Guy Chatel (Carlton Arena), Dan Thomas (Unite) and Paul Timms (Spartans).

With an energetic schedule and syllabus, the candidates were tested over the full spectrum of Taekwondo techniques from Poomsae, Kyorugi, set-sparring, self-defence and destruction. The successful candidates received their new belts and grades from the examiners and the Mayor of Didcot who joined the final presentation on the day.

This was a great opportunity for a large number of clubs to come together, be tested together and most importantly to work together through Taekwondo – many new friends and connections were made, and we look forward to our next events as an alliance of friendly clubs next year!

Find out more about Phoenix Taekwondo

You can find out more about the club on the Phoenix Taekwondo website and Facebook Page.

Photos: submitted.

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