April 7th the Challenge Cup 2013 was held in Lede, in an organisation of the club Won-Hyo, affiliated to ITF-Belgium. Tom Van De Sijpe (III°degree), Nikki Van Den Moortel (I°degree) and their team did a very good job, everything went smoothly, with eye for details.

There was competition in tul & sparring for youth, juniors and seniors, coloured and black belts. After the welcome speech the championship started around 10.00 with tul, medals were only distributed after the tul competition was finished. Medal awarding was in the centre of the hall on a big podium.

 

After lunch break it was time for sparring, with also for this discipline medal awarding at the end, which was great for the participants and their supporters.

For youth members the classes were made small, so every participant received a medal. On the other hand juniors and seniors had bigger classes to have more opportunities to compete. In tul competitors had to perform one optional tul, in sparring matches consisted of 2 bouts, 2x1' for youth, 2x2' for juniors & seniors.

 

For the results please see www.itfbelgium.be.

After the competition all referees received a nice souvenir.

The athmosphere amongst the competitors and the clubs was great and friendly outside of the rings, sportive but still of very high quality inside.

Many thanks to Tom, Nikki and Won-Hyo for the organisation, many thanks to the umpire committee and all the referees, many thanks to the coaches of the different clubs or bringing their students to the championship.

Annick Van Driessche
ITF-Belgium