Back to back to back Champs
Open ITF Championships
On the 11th May 2019 the T-UK Stratford Taekwon-Do club, entered a five person team into the Open ITF Championships in Coventry. With over 700 people present on the day, it was split into large groups. Patterns were the first category.
Harry Hancox (6), Billy Barnett (8) and Oscar Perry (6) were first to compete. U12 years White belt to green tag. After some 17 children had competed, Billy getting a tough first round decision lost out this time, Oscar who was in his first ever tournament won an amazing Bronze medal performing Chon-Ji.
Harry was in the final, he held his nerve and with another faultless round won Gold!
The girls were up next, Demi Barnett (11) another tough group with the black tags. She reached the final and just missed out on Gold with a split decision, winning Silver.
With all patterns done for the day and medals awarded, it was on to sparring. This time split into height categories, Harry and Oscar were in the same group.
The boys battled through winning their first bouts and Harry took gold! Oscar was given the Silver medal after an amazing fight, his first in competition.
Billy had the largest sparring group of the day with 13 boys, he didn’t let this bother him. Reaching the final and picking up a superb Gold medal.
Demi and Sky were both in action, at the same time too!
Sky (10), untouchable her division, continuing her incredible 4 year Taekwon-Do unbeaten run in sparring, adding yet another gold to her collection.
Demi was in a tough group with older and taller girls, again showing her skill and experience won her group too. Adding to the impressive medal haul with the last gold of the day. In total 5 Gold, 2 Silver and 1 Bronze medals were won by the Stratford team !!
Article by Jamie Hancox
