The Finnish Championships of 2008 and colour belt competition "Helmi Cup" were held on the 23rd of February in the rural town of Pälkäne. The competition was hosted by local Aitoo Taekwon-Do club, in co-operation with ITF Taekwon-Do Finland. There were about 140 competitors from 15 clubs taking part in patterns, sparring, power breaking, special techniques and - for the first time in Finnish Championships - pre-arranged sparring.

The best competitors of Finnish Championships were Ms. Anja Kärki and Mr. Ismo Mäkinen, both representing Taekwon-Do Akatemia. The best colour belts in Helmi Cup were Ms. Kaisa Kähärä from Kuopio University club and Mr. Pauli Puljula from TKD Center. Mr. Kalle Jauhomaa from Aitoo club was awarded as the best umpire of the competition.

Due to hall size limitations, only two competition rings were set up. Because of this the competition had to be run fast and smoothly - which it did. ITF Taekwon-Do Finland would like to thank all people involved in organising the event in such a professional way. Aitoo Taekwon-Do club and main organiser Mr. Ilkka Naulapää; ITF Taekwon-Do Finland's Tournament and Umpiring Director Mr. Teppo Häyrynen; all umpires, coaches, competitors, voluntary workers and audience: thank you!

Also, the traditional yearly awards were announced during the Championships. The award for best Finnish competitor of year 2007 was given to Ms. Pauliina Heiskanen from Tampere club. The best junior award was handed to Ms. Heidi Oehland from Espoo club. Mr. Teppo Häyrynen was awarded as the umpire of the year, also representing Espoo club. The instructor of the year award was given to Mr. Mikko Allinniemi. Finally, the most influential person of the year award was given - exceptionally, instead of one person - to the entire Euro Cup 2007 organising team. The trophy was accepted on behalf of the team by Ms. Saija Steckiewicz.

   

Finnish Champions 2008:

• Pattern, Female I dan: Henna Majanen, Tampereen Taekwon-Do seura
• Pattern, Female II dan: Pauliina Heiskanen, Tampereen Taekwon-Do seura
• Pattern, Female III dan: Heli Karjalainen, Tampereen Taekwon-Do seura
• Open Pattern, Female: Pauliina Heiskanen, Tampereen Taekwon-Do seura
• Pattern, Male I dan: Vesa Laurila, Tampereen Taekwon-Do seura
• Pattern, Male II dan: Jouni Heikkinen, Taekwon-Do Akatemia
• Pattern, Male III dan: Ismo Mäkinen, Taekwon-Do Akatemia
• Pattern, Male IV-VI dan: Michael Holler, Helsingin yliopiston Taekwon-Do
• Open Pattern, Male: Ismo Mäkinen, Taekwon-Do Akatemia
• Prearranged Free Sparring: Jani Turunen / Andrea Meinander, ITF Helsinki / Helsingin yliopiston Taekwon-Do
• Sparring, Female I-VI dan, -52 kg: Pauliina Heiskanen, Tampereen Taekwon-Do seura
• Sparring, Female I-VI dan, -58 kg: Linda Urbanski, Tampereen Taekwon-Do seura
• Sparring, Female I-VI dan, -63 kg: Anja Kärki, Taekwon-Do Akatemia
• Open Sparring, Female: Anja Kärki, Taekwon-Do Akatemia
• Sparring, Male I-VI dan, -54 kg: Jani Huttu, Taekwon-Do Akatemia
• Sparring, Male I-VI dan, -63 kg: Risto Jokelainen, Oulun ITF Taekwon-Do
• Sparring, Male I-VI dan, -71 kg: Ismo Mäkinen, Taekwon-Do Akatemia
• Sparring, Male I-VI dan, -80 kg: Sami Koskela, Aitoon Taekwon-Do
• Sparring, Male I-VI dan, +80 kg: Esa Luosujärvi, Oulun ITF Taekwon-Do
• Open Sparring, Male: Ismo Mäkinen, Taekwon-Do Akatemia
• Power Breaking, Female I-VI dan: Anja Kärki, Taekwon-Do Akatemia
• Power Breaking, Male I-VI dan: Esa Luosujärvi, Oulun ITF Taekwon-Do
• Special Techniques, Female I-VI dan: Anja Kärki, Taekwon-Do Akatemia
• Special Techniques, Male I-VI dan: Sami Koskela, Aitoon Taekwon-Do

Best Competitors:

• Best female, Finnish Championships: Anja Kärki, Taekwon-Do Akatemia
• Best male, Finnish Championships: Ismo Mäkinen, Taekwon-Do Akatemia
• Best female, Helmi Cup: Kaisa Kähärä, Kuopion yliopiston Taekwon-Do
• Best male, Helmi Cup: Pauli Puljula, Taekwon-Do Center
• Best umpire of competition: Kalle Jauhomaa, Aitoon Taekwon-Do

The full results from both Finnish Championships and Helmi Cup can be seen at ITF Taekwon-Do Finland website: http://www.taekwon-do.fi/uutiset.php?ID=172.

The next Finnish Championships in 2009 will be held at Espoo. Welcome!

On behalf of ITF Taekwon-Do Finland,
Anssi Kähärä, Chairman

All pictures: © Michael Holler