Olsztyn is a city located in the North-East part of Poland with around 180 thousand inhabitants. It is the capitol of Warmia and Mazury Region. It is a presentation of what nature has the best to offer in this part of Poland . Eleven lakes within the boundaries of the city, an array of smaller ponds, three rivers and a vast municipal forest, which occupies around 20% of Olsztyn – these are the riches that no other large Polish city can pride itself on.

In these beautiful surroundings, during the 28th and 30th May 2010 ,“Urania” sport hall, Olsztyn hosted the 23rd Polish Senior Taekwon-do Championships.

It was another Taekwon-do event organized by SKS Start Olsztyn Club. Previously hosting such tournaments as International Match Poland – Korea, 6th August 1988, 12th Polish Senior Taekwon-Do Championships, 4th – 6th June 1999, International Match Poland – Ukraine – Sweden, 16th March 2001 and 13th Polish Junior Younger Taekwon-Do Championships, 28th – 30th April, 2006.

The club SKS Start Olsztyn, as mentioned earlier, is one of the oldest Taekwon-do Clubs in Poland . It commenced its active role in Taekwon-do in 1988. It was one of the 25 clubs, who established Polish Taekwon-do Association on March 24th, 1991. Although, the history of Taekwon-do in Olsztyn goes back to 1983.

There were many talented competitors that recurred during the clubs history, medalists of Polish, European and World championships, but the most famous are:

Monika Jabłonowska (currently: Pieńkowska)

- the first Polish female competitor, who become the World Champion in individual sparring. She come first in the sparring -70kg during the 9th World Senior Championships, held on 25th July-1st August 1994 in Kula Terrenganu, (Malaysia)

Dorota Majorkiewicz

- World Champion in sparring -70kg during the 10th World Senior Championships, held 1st-7th July 1997 in Sankt Petersburg (Russia);

Tomasz Idzikowski

World Champion in sparring up to 80kg during the 11th World Championships, 28th August-5th September 1999 (Buenos Aires (Argentina)
World Champion in special techniques during the 12th World Senior Championships, 3rd-8th July 2001 in Rimini ( Italy )

Dariusz Idzikowski

- Three times World Champion in sparring over 80kg during the World Senior Championships in 2001, 2003 and 2007
- Ten times European Champion in sparring over 80kg.

The Chief organizer of the 23rd Polish Senior Championships was Mr. Tomasz Dunalski, head coach and leader of SKS Start Olsztyn, previously held the post of second coach of Polish National Female Team.

There were 161 competitors from 37 clubs taking part during the Championships in all four individual categories: pattern, sparring, special technique and power test, as well as in team pattern and team sparring.

Both as above mentioned, twin " Idzikowski" brothers were also competing in the event. Interestingly enough, the two met in the +80kg sparring final. Darek, who won the final, confirmed his domination in this weight category. Furthermore, the team from SKS Start Olsztyn, strengthened by both twin brothers as well as Slavomir Zarejko, a very experienced and well-known competitor, won the prestigious category of team male sparring.

Also Monika Jabłonkowska (Pieńkowska) was present on sport mats in Olsztyn in her capacity as umpire.

In general club classification MKS Lewart AGS Lubartów lead by Master Jerzy Jedut climbed once again on to the winners podium. His competitors won 8 golden and 6 silver medals.

The second place went to the host of the tournament, SKS Start Olsztyn, with 3 gold, 2 silver and 1 bronze medal.

The third place went to WSKT Wroclaw (2 gold, 4 silver, 2 bronze medals).

The best female competitor - Aleksandra Nowak (CzAT Częstochowa), who collected all three colours of medals:

gold – sparring category +70kg
silver – power test
bronze – 1st Degree pattern

The best male competitor was Kamil Raczyński (WSKT Wrocław), who won both categories – individual pattern 2nd Degree and individual sparring -63kg.

The title of the best female team went to MKS RAT Radzyń Podlaski, whose competitors won the team pattern and came third in the team sparring.

See results (PDF, 119 kB) from the 23rd Polish Senior Taekwon-do Championships.

Polish Senior Championships completed the sport season of Polish Taekwon-do Association. The next important competition will be the Open European Cup, held in Bratislava (Slovakia) from 21st to 24th October 2010.

See the galery from the Polish Championships on the website of MKS Lewart Lubartów.

Dariusz and Tomasz Idzikowski