2004 was a rather busy year for ITF-Belgium. At the annual meeting in January, a lot of persons came with good ideas and plans.
In March, we had the 14th Belgian Championship; it was held in Steenokkerzeel. About 115 competitors, coloured and black belts of all ages, competed in pattern, sparring and team pattern.
In April, ITF-Belgium organised the "Second Day of Taekwondo", a course for all the members. The participants were divided into 4 groups (belt-age), and they followed courses in tul & basic movements, sparring, hosinsul and power breaking & special techniques. Also in April, we had the "3 Days of Taekwon-do".
In the summer, a new school was opened, and another one joined the federation.
Like each year, there were 2 degree gradings in 2004: one in February and one in September, and there were the monthly national squad trainings for (team) sparring, tul, team tul and (team) power breaking/specials; there were also 2 umpire courses and 4 courses of self defence (hosinsul).
ITF-Belgium also participated in some championships abroad:
Belgium had a big team for the European Championships in Finland (during the AETF meeting Mr. Vanberghen was elected as chairman of the AETF Revisory Commission) and some junior competitors during the Junior World Championship in Italy.
The end of 2004 was the most important and most busy period of 2004.
October 22nd-24th, Belgium hosted the 8th International Instructors Course in Brussels (Steenokkerzeel). The course was conducted by the ITF Technical Committee with Master Marano, Master Trajtenberg and Master Bos, but Master Tran and Grand Master Van Binh also gave course, and a lot of other Masters and officials were present. There were 112 participants from 12 countries. During the seminar, ITF-Belgium got his first Master, Master Frank Vanberghen.
A month after this big event, we organised the Open Belgian Championship in Izegem, with 120 participants from 5 countries.
In 2004, ITF-Belgium knew a big expansion: a lot of new members started with ITF taekwondo.
In 2005, we'd like to continue in the same way. We plan some more national competitions, and about 3 new schools should be opened. Open Belgian Championship (open to black and coloured belts, all ages), in November 2005.
Sincerely yours,
Annick Van Driessche
