September 14th - 16th
Australia, Geelong
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Countries in Attendance: Australia, Scotland, Canada, Singapore, Malaysia, Germany, United States, Japan, England, Wales, Mexico, Argentina, and Russia
Registered but not in attendance: Nigeria
Attended but only in the form of officials: Korea
Thursday 14th September, Day 1:
After following the usual morning routine, we were soon on the coach on the way to the Arena where we would be competing over the next three days. We arrived at the Arena at about 8.30am where we saw all the other competitors eagerly awaiting the days events to begin. The Arena Doors opened and the day had begun. Within 30 minutes we were all in the Arena, eagerly anticipating the upcoming events. There were three rings, the centre was raised and which would be the location for all the Finals throughout the Championships.
The Traveling Competitors and spectators filled up the North Side of the Arena, with the West, East and South sections by Australian School students, parents and spectators which really added to the atmosphere. The opening ceremony would begin soon, and every competitor and coach had to make their way down to the side entrance of the Arena. There each team was meet by a child holding a banner of their respective nation. Within a few minutes the tournament had begun, and we where led into the Arena where we would make our way to centre stage and line up in our teams. After every team had made their way onto the arena floor, President Choi Jung Hwa made his way into the Arena accompanied by ITF General Secretary Master Nicholls. They made their way to the designated seats and sat with the other ITF Masters. Among those Masters was my own Instructor Master Wolf and the tournament organizer Master Nestor Galarraga. The opening Ceremony begun soon after that, with a speech from our president to follow, the tournament was then officially declared open.
The Days events began with the Female Individual Patterns. There where remarkable performances throughout and England managed to win Gold in 2 of the three divisions, the I and II degree Pattern division’s.The Male Individual Patterns commenced after the Female, and I was able to add to England‘s medal tally with a Gold in the III degree Patterns.
In addition TEAM- UK picked up 1 Silver in Male III patterns and two Bronzes in Male and female II degree patterns. After a fantastic start in the Patterns, the Individual Female -42kg and +60kg Sparring was underway. There where some admirable performances from the Girls who managed to add 2 Silver’s to TEAM- UK’s medal tally. It was now time for England’s individual Male -52kg and +70kg sparring competitors to step up. England picked up a Bronze in the -52kg and I was able to win Gold in the +70kg division, bringing TEAM- UK ’s medal tally for the first day to 4 Gold’s , 3 Silvers and 3 Bronzes .
The first day was over, and ran well over schedule. This was to be the latest finish throughout the whole tournament, and we ended getting away from the event no earlier than 9.30pm. Celebrations were short especially on my part, as there was still plenty to do, and plenty more to win. We arrived so late at the Hotel that by the time I tried to order my food, the kitchen was closed. Thankfully, Master Wolf was kind enough to give me half of his Steak Sandwich. The next day would prove to be just as busy, and exciting as the first.
Report By
Mr Nick Gardner
Return To Previous Page
After following the usual morning routine, we were soon on the coach on the way to the Arena where we would be competing over the next three days. We arrived at the Arena at about 8.30am where we saw all the other competitors eagerly awaiting the days events to begin. The Arena Doors opened and the day had begun. Within 30 minutes we were all in the Arena, eagerly anticipating the upcoming events. There were three rings, the centre was raised and which would be the location for all the Finals throughout the Championships.
The Traveling Competitors and spectators filled up the North Side of the Arena, with the West, East and South sections by Australian School students, parents and spectators which really added to the atmosphere. The opening ceremony would begin soon, and every competitor and coach had to make their way down to the side entrance of the Arena. There each team was meet by a child holding a banner of their respective nation. Within a few minutes the tournament had begun, and we where led into the Arena where we would make our way to centre stage and line up in our teams. After every team had made their way onto the arena floor, President Choi Jung Hwa made his way into the Arena accompanied by ITF General Secretary Master Nicholls. They made their way to the designated seats and sat with the other ITF Masters. Among those Masters was my own Instructor Master Wolf and the tournament organizer Master Nestor Galarraga. The opening Ceremony begun soon after that, with a speech from our president to follow, the tournament was then officially declared open.
The Days events began with the Female Individual Patterns. There where remarkable performances throughout and England managed to win Gold in 2 of the three divisions, the I and II degree Pattern division’s.The Male Individual Patterns commenced after the Female, and I was able to add to England‘s medal tally with a Gold in the III degree Patterns.
In addition TEAM- UK picked up 1 Silver in Male III patterns and two Bronzes in Male and female II degree patterns. After a fantastic start in the Patterns, the Individual Female -42kg and +60kg Sparring was underway. There where some admirable performances from the Girls who managed to add 2 Silver’s to TEAM- UK’s medal tally. It was now time for England’s individual Male -52kg and +70kg sparring competitors to step up. England picked up a Bronze in the -52kg and I was able to win Gold in the +70kg division, bringing TEAM- UK ’s medal tally for the first day to 4 Gold’s , 3 Silvers and 3 Bronzes .
The first day was over, and ran well over schedule. This was to be the latest finish throughout the whole tournament, and we ended getting away from the event no earlier than 9.30pm. Celebrations were short especially on my part, as there was still plenty to do, and plenty more to win. We arrived so late at the Hotel that by the time I tried to order my food, the kitchen was closed. Thankfully, Master Wolf was kind enough to give me half of his Steak Sandwich. The next day would prove to be just as busy, and exciting as the first.
Report By
Mr Nick Gardner
Return To Previous Page
