Last Friday, on March 30th 2012, Ashdod held the Tul Competition (i.e. pattern, series of attack and defense techniques), for the Taekwon-Do I.T.F students of the city. Those students are training in nine community centers across the city: 4th, 12th, 9th, 15th, 11th, Dyuna, Harzit, Neve Yehonatan and Tikvatenu. The age of participants in this competition varied from five to adults, ranked white belt to black belt.

The event has begun with an extraordinary show of the Ashdod team which trains towards the national and international competitions on a daily basis. Already here, upon the contestants entrance to the arenas, one can see a cheerful atmosphire in the hall, proven by the big applause the team was welcomed by the audience and rest of the students. Once the show ended, the competition's begun!

First to compete were the black belts of Ashdod, and then the rest followed.

Three arenas had been spread in the hall, three referees on each. Competitors were divided into age and rank categories, while on each category the participant performed the pre-selected pattern with precision, concentration, determination and of course using the indominable spirit as required in the patterns. Professionally conducted by Sabumn-nim Luis Sajnovetzky, the competition ran smoothly without time losses or breaks. At the end it was time for a awarding ceremony, in it first places received trophies, and second & third places received medals, while the rest had received participation medals.

All throughout the competition, one could have distinguished a high level of techniques, fighting spirit and the wide knowledge accuired by the students. As always, no hands remained empty when left the hall and all had wore a smile when leaving with a trophy or a medal. It therefore important to say that in Taekwon-Do I.T.F there are no losers - everyone wins because everyone gets to enjoy a beautiful martial art which helps strenghtening the mind and body, esteem, confidence and of course teaches valuable lessons.

And we shall meet soon, in the next regional competition at the end of the year - the yearly sparring competition! And if not soon, then in the upcoming World Cup in Brighton, England, to which a respectable number of students are looking forward.

Way to go all!
Sabum-Nim Luis Sajnovetzky
and the crew of instructors of Taekwon-Do I.T.F Ashdod-Israel