| ITF European Championship XVIII Senior, IX Junior. and 1st Veteran European Taekwon-Do Championship |
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Countries In Attendance: Italy, Croatia, Russia, Bulgaria, Holland, Spain, Belgium, Ireland, Germany and of course England. What made this special was not the fact that many competitors had traveled to represent their countries, but also the many Masters that had traveled to offer their support to this event. We had a special feel for this Competition as we had attended the first ever European Championships in Wetzler some years previous, We enjoyed the events that took place over the four-day period, and hope everyone who attended did also. It was the first major Taekwon-Do Tournament this year, to be closely followed by the World Championships to be held in Geelong, Australia in approximately 2 months time. This was also an opportunity to see what to expect later in the year, especially from the European Contingent going to Australia (which was a bonus!) we also had the opportunity to look at the experienced veterans, maybe, picking up a trick or two (another bonus!) It was also interesting to be able to talk to and, get to know some of the more high profile ITF Officials in a more relaxed atmosphere in the process making new friends and acquaintances, which after all is an important part of Taekwon-Do. The days were long, beginning at 7.00am and finishing for some competitors at times ranging from 9.00pm-10.00pm. The senior events began on Friday, with the patterns and some of the individual sparring events being completed with their still being a lot to do. All individual senior events were finished by Saturday night, including the Senior Team and veteran disciplines, which both produced an exiting spectacle. Sunday morning saw the beginning of the junior events, and by Sunday night after a long day, the end of them. Adam Gardner once again threatened to out shine his brother but cannot seem to get the close decision; if he has many more close decisions go against him then he really could be forgiven in wondering what he has to do? There is only one answer we guess…do more! Even so, Adam put together, what many people described as two of the best fights of the tournament against two very good opponents, showing great speed and movement. However, we feel sure there is a lot more to come from him in the very near future. (Maybe the Worlds?) We traveled under the UKITF representing England and on this occasion Adam and Nicholas where, for the first time in their Taekwon-Do Careers, both part of the UKITF Jnr Blackbelt Team consisting of Nicholas Gardner, Steve Watson, William Thirkettle, Adam Gardner, Matthew Brunger and Reece Nicholls. The Pattern was the First Team Discipline, as luck would have it Nicholas and Adam where delayed in arriving and were not allowed to compete in this category. Having practiced the day before in Temperatures nearing the thirties, it was a great disappointment to all. However, luckily the rest of the Team, under the guidance of Team Coach Mr Johann Desilver, hastily made the necessary changes. They got through the first round, and then unfortunately lost to Italy. Under the circumstances, they had done remarkably well with the short time at their disposal, showing great depth and commitment in rescuing the situation and winning the Team Silver During the junior events, the senior competitors received their medals, and gained the well-earned recognition of their achievements. We would like to congratulate all those who competed from MWTA, and all results can be found on their website. Monday was the end of competing for many, marking the beginning for some, and after a large degree of patience and the phenomenal support they gave the black belt competitors, the coloured belt competitors stepped up. The standard was good, and it was nice to see some of the up and coming martial artists within ITF Taekwon-do.
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