Newsletter Newsletter 2/2006 International Taekwon-do Match, Poland

The Polish Taekwon-do Association invited six teams to Poland for two International Taekwon-do Matches. The participating teams were; England, Finland, Germany, Sweden, Russia, Ukraine and Poland.

The first International Taekwon-do Match took place on 24th March in Ciechanow and the second on 26th March in Warsaw. This event was an important factor in each team’s preparation for the upcoming European Championships 2006 to be held in Constanta, Romania in May 2006. The standard of competitors in the teams was very high and included many World and European Champions. The event was well organised and managed very professionally and, as such, presents a very positive image of ITF Taekwon-Do for both the participants and spectators. The final gala, as always, open to members of the public and a large number of spectators attended which created a very exciting atmosphere. There were also performances by professional dance groups and many other attractions for the spectators.

   

   

   

During the final gala the spectators had the opportunity to see some great bouts, featuring excellent competitors including: Katya Solovey - World Silver Medallist, Marzanna Pawlik - World Champion; World Champions; Andrzej Szymański, Miłosz Moskaluk and Oleg Taraskin World Silver medallist. Igor Maksimienko, European Champion from Ukraine was recognised by referees as the most spectacular competitor of the match in Ciechanow.

Also some exciting and accomplished Polish competitors, showed great skill such as. Marzanna Pawlik, Joanna Paprocka, Małgorzata Rogaczewska, Grzegorz Puzoń, Miłosz Moskaluk and Dariusz Idzikowski confirmed their great shape for the upcoming European Championships.

The Matches were attended by special guest VIPs including: Master Orello Ellis, VIII Dan, President of the ITF England, Mrs. Martina Soltisova-Semesiova, President ITF Slovakia, Mrs. Dana Palascakova, Secretary General of ITF Slovakia and also two representatives of ITF Latvia Mr. Armand Shaltenis and Mr. Juriy Jershov.

For the first time the fights were judged by an international umpire team, which did a superb job. There were no protests or objections during the event.

Mr. Michael Mullen, Director of the company "Top Pro" from Ireland had a very successful meeting with the authorities of Polish Taekwon-do Association and the Female Polish Taekwon-Do Team called "Golden Team". As a result of this meeting an agreement was signed concerning the sponsoring of the Polish Taekwon-Do Team with Top-Pro Taekwon-Do equipment.

The competitors had fights in a league system, against each person in the pool, with the top two meeting again in the finals. The competition was conducted in accordance with ITF Taekwon-Do weight divisions and ITF sparring rules.

The event was a big success. The organisers would like to thank the competitors, umpires, sponsors and spectators and look forward to the next International Taekwon-Do Match.