Venue layout

On 23rd June 383 competitors and 54 umpires from 22 schools across Scotland lined up for the 2012 Scottish ITF Taekwon-Do Championships. The venue was held at the brand new state of the art sports facility at Ravenscraig with over 1500 m2 floor space, and dedicated seating for 600 spectators. This was an open invitation event to all ITF groups in Scotland.

Coaches & Teams

With the competitors and umpires lined up on the floor, the competition began at 9.30am with a welcome address from tournament host, Mr J McIlvaney V of GMAC to distinguished guest GM Tom MacCallum IX, ITFS Board members, umpires, competitors and spectators. A special mention was also extended to our all our schools and invited guests attending, and that got the spectators off their seats to cheer for their school and their instructor.

Tactical discussions

Scotland was immensely proud of their National Team’s performance in Slovenia this year and so in a break with tradition, felt it was appropriate to acknowledge the efforts of the National Team, and more importantly the National Coaches who prepared them for so many weekends in the months leading up to the event and in doing so created a great team spirit. The team address was handed over to acting ITFS President Master Mark Hutton VII, who welcomed the National Team, led by the team coaches, into the arena to a tremendous reception from the crowd whereby they took up their places in front of the competitors and gave a detailed account of the Senior and Junior Team’s collective 10th place overall with 2 golds and 8 bronze medals. Master Hutton highlighted that not only did the majority of medals come from three out four of the quadrathlon events, but they came from team medals and he thanked personally the efforts of the team coaches who prepared their teams so well.

Coaches & Teams Team address

To open the championships the junior male and junior female teams, both who received bronze medals for team patterns in Slovenia decided to have a demonstration challenge of who really has the best team pattern. Unfortunately ITF rules of judging were not applied for this challenge and ITF approved umpires were not used. The decision of overall team pattern champion was down to the spectators and who received the loudest cheer would be crowned champions. Both teams performed their optional pattern followed by Toi-gye as their compulsory. After which they lined up in front of Team Pattern Coach, Mr Mark Boydell V to await the decision. Master Wallace VII asked the spectators for their voice to show their appreciation for the junior female team and then the junior male team. After a small conference, the cheer for the female team was declared the winner and they were crowned team pattern champions.

Junior Female Individual Pattern

Junior Female Team Pattern

Before the championship got underway at 10:00, the national team members assisted school instructors in handing out participation or “bravery medals” to the under 13 competitors. By now the arena had a great buzz about it and the six rings and umpires got the championship started.

The event was very successful and was carried out in a great, friendly spirit.

Master Wallace presented the Overall School Trophy to Mr and Mrs Boydell II.

Under 130cms Sparring

Junior Female Sparring