Newsletter 2/2013 Great Success of Euros 2013
506 competitors, 102 coaches, 63 referees, 42 officials, and a great many supporters from 26 countries participated in the 28th Senior and 19th Junior European ITF Taekwon-Do Championships which took place in Skovde, Sweden from 3rd to 5th of May, 2013. The most important European tournament, promoted by European Taekwon-Do Federation, was organized by Swedish Taekwon-Do Federation and Skovde Taekwon-Do Club with Master Swavek Dydiszko as Head of the Organising Committee. The Tournament and Umpire Committee consisted of Master Alexander Dunbar, Master James Tjin-A-Ton, Master Giovanni Cecconato, Master Harry Vones, Mr Attila Solti, Mr Roland Wilke, and Master Coos van den Heuvel as the Tournament Director.
Skovde is situated in southern part of the country between two largest Sweden’s lakes (Vanern and Vattern). The town is the 32nd biggest locality in Sweden with about 35,000 residents. With this great number of habitants it was surprising to see not many people on the streets in this very quiet town. Another nearly 1,000 Taekwon-Do fans who came to fight for European Champion titles in 63 categories definitely revived this beautiful and calm town.
The participants started arriving in the town on Wednesday (1st May). Team Registration and Weigh In procedures went very smoothly. Thursday afternoon was dedicated to Umpire and Coach Meetings. These two days were also an opportunity for final trainings for the competitors before the tournament.
That evening, Thursday 2nd of May, the AETF Congress was held in Skovde City Hall. At the Congress, besides ordinary organisation cases, the delegates from European countries decided that the European Championships 2014 will be held in Rimini, Italy; 2015 in Glasgow, Scotland; and 2016 in Tampere, Finland. The participants of the Congress also had an opportunity to learn the basics and benefits of the World Anti-Doping Programme presented by Mr Richard Aboud and Mr Adrian Byrne from Irish Taekwon-Do Association. Also, during the Congress Master Donato Nardizzi and Mr Philip Lear from ITF England gave a short presentation about Taekwon-Do Kids Development Program, an official International Taekwon-Do Federation program for children aged 3-7, (more at http://www.tkd-itf.com/noticias/lligirmes.php?id=5596&lng=3&idmodweb=1776&pag=0).
The 28th Senior and 19th Junior European ITF Taekwon-Do Championships started as planned early morning 3rd of May in a very modern sports hall, ‘Arena Skovde’ (have a virtual tour at http://www.queenmedia.se/360/arenaskovde/flash/Queen%20Media_arenaskovde_org.html) . The venue was decorated with flags of European countries hanging around the sports hall, portrait of General Choi, and banners with All Europe Taekwon-Do Federation and International Taekwon-Do Federation logo behind the main table. There were also standing banners with AETF, ITF, and Swedish Taekwon-Do Federation logos, as well as banners promoting upcoming World Championships in Benidorm, Spain.
Sporting rivalry began on 7 rings prepared for the tournament. Out of the competition hall all the competitors also had a large separate warm-up area, as well as a sports gym, Aqua Park, sauna, coffee shops, restaurants, and bowling centre. There were also stands with Taekwon-Do equipment and official t-shirts for Euros 2013. A portable podium for the awarding ceremony was set on the centre ring every day. The press & computer service team was posting online up to date draws, results, and other classifications on the Reports Page of the Championships.
A very exciting Opening Gala with the Finals for chosen categories and a demonstration of that days traditional sparring winners (Germany) took place on Saturday night. Furthermore, we had an outstanding chance to admire two immense performances. Johanna Beijbom electrified the audience for a few minutes with ‘Euphoria’ song (The song, originally performed by Loreen, wich rank first place at the Eurovision Song Contest 2012 in Baku, Azerbaijan. Johanna, who was Loreen’s backup singer, and the music composer for this song, Thomas G:son, are both from Skovde!). Mr Jaroslaw Suska from Poland, who earned his 20th title of the European Champion in pattern category the day before, remarkably performed Moon Moo Tul.
A little flashback from that night must be seen HERE.
That truly was ‘ the champion’s night’!
The atmosphere of the whole tournament was really fantastic. Many exciting bouts during the championship showed a very high sports level of the competitors who had to adapt to new ITF competition rules. Participants also showed a high level of courtesy, determination, and indomitable spirit. Besides Taekwon-Do talents we discover some music talents during awarding ceremonies.
There are many people without whom the European Championships in Skovde would not have been as good and memorable as it was. Grateful thanks and congratulations go to the Organiser, Swedish Taekwon-Do Federation and Skovde Taekwon-Do Club; Promoter, All Europe Taekwon-Do Federation; and Tournament and Umpire Committee for an excellent organization and superb hospitality. We would like to express gratitude and genuine thanks for the referees’ professional and not easy work during the tournament. Special thanks and congratulations should obviously go to the competitors and their coaches for their very hard work in preparation and a plethora of outstanding bouts they put in at the last European Championships in Skovde. We should always remember that the competitors are most important part of every competition and this is an event organized for them.
Wonderful atmosphere on the sports hall was an amazing experience for all those present.
Please, find below few words from Master Swavek Dydiszko, Head of the Organising Committee of the 28th Senior and 19th Junior European ITF Taekwon-Do Championships:
- Sir, the 28th Senior and 19th Junior European ITF Taekwon-Do Championships wasn’t the first tournament that you organised. You are famous for your organisational skills which raise the bar for every next competition. Did you feel this pressure?
Yes, we have hosted many competitions here in Skövde. Until today we have arranged 2 European Championships (2010, 2013), 12 International Viking Cups, and 4 Swedish National Championships. All this has given us a lot of experience which helps very much to improve following competition. I never feel any pressure but I will always try to arrange an event which is a positive experience for all participants. This is my absolute main goal as an organiser.
- Could you tell us a little bit about the Organising Committee?
The Organising Committee for the Euros 2013 had many different levels and each of them was responsible for different things. In total there were almost 100 people who worked before, during and after the championships. Without those people arrangement at this level would not have been impossible. I would like to take this opportunity and thank all of them once again for their fantastic work.
- Besides a very small amount of time, did you have any other problems during preparations?
The short time for the preparation was absolutely the biggest problem. As we were not the primary host of the Euros 2013 from the beginning, we had finally only a few months to prepare the whole event. Actually we also had one other big problem. Two weeks before the championships we were informed that one of the biggest federation of trade in Sweden would probably go on strike during championships days. Because the employers of the sport hall were also involved in this conflict it was likely that the Euros 2013 might also be affected of this. There were many meetings and sleepless nights for us, but finally the strike was called of a few days before the championships. Well, one more experience for us, but I don’t wish any organiser for this kind of helplessness which we experienced during those days.
- Were there any unexpected situations you had to deal with during the Championships?
There were not any unexpected situations during the Euros 2013 and I think everything went smoothly. Together with the tournament director, Master Coos van den Heuvel and AETF President, Master Tadeusz Loboda we had prepared all details many weeks before the championships started. There were a lot of e-mails but maybe thanks to that we could avoid all unexpected situations.
- Is there anything you think you could have done better for this tournament?
Everything in our life we can do better only in the future. What we did in the past can’t be change. I’m very satisfied with the championships as it was.
- What kind of support did you receive from the sponsors?
The sponsor story is not an easy story in a time when economic crisis plays with many human lives around the world. Taking that into consideration I would especially like to very much thank each of our few sponsors who helped us with different things.
- What special guests did you play host to?
Of course all participants in Euros 2013 were my very special guests. Besides them I would also like to very much thank our Grand Masters, Willem Jacob Bos and Tom MacCallum, whose presence give the Euros 2013 an extra glory.
- Which part of the Championships are you mainly proud of? What would be your best memory?
What I’m especially proud of is maybe not only the championships, but the special feeling and atmosphere, the feeling of friendship and humanity across the borders. I’m very proud to be a part of our Taekwon-Do family with all those fantastic people. The human wave (“Mexican Wave”) during the Euphoria song is my absolute best memory.
- Is there something else you would like to add?
Many thanks for everybody who worked with the Euros 2013 in Sweden.
Results of the 28th Senior and 19th Junior European ITF Taekwon-Do Championships:
Best Overall Competitors:
| Junior Female | Britt Adolfs, Germany | 1 gold | 1 silver | ||
| Senior Female | Viviane Scheffel, Germany | 2 gold | 1 bronze | ||
| Male (junior and senior) best competitors were not selected because there were two with the same amount of medals | |||||
| Junior Male | Lukasz Sudak, Poland; and Maciej Zuk, Poland | 1 gold | 1 bronze | ||
| Senior Male | Timothy Bos, Italy; and Pawel Matysiak, Poland | 1 gold | 1 silver | ||
Best Overall Teams:
| Junior Female Team | Poland | 2 gold, | 1 silver | |
| Junior Male Team | Poland | 2 gold | 1 bronze | |
| Senior Female Team | Poland | 3 gold | ||
| Senior Male Team | Poland | 3 gold | 1 bronze |
Please, visit http://euro2013.pztkd.lublin.pl/index.php for more reports.
Some interesting videos from the European Championships in Skovde can be found at
http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXj13eS2pSuVXuOe0YKRzjRHhbrJcVoIL
(new videos every day) and
http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLE-U1Q5s0emc-KSHOKD-KQMiyIRooIn5L
