On Wednesday afternoon, 29.01.2014, took place the yearly pattern competition for the central-north area, conducted by Sabum-Nim Leonardo Oros-Duek, director of the Israel Academy of Taekwon-Do.

Lots of students who practice in the cities Zichron Ya'akov, Yoqneam, Haifa, Kibbutz Ramot Menashe and Karmiel gathered to take part in the competition which was held in the Dahari Sports Hall in Yoqneam, many together with their parents cheering in the crowd.

But this competition was no ordinary event, because out of the four rings in the hall, only two were assigned for patterns, using a computerized scoring system, which displays the results in real-time. In ring 1 was held a special competition on which parents and their children participate executing a frontal punch forward and backwards together (in Korean: Ap Jumok Jirugi). In the category participated 38 parents with their kids, that is to say 38 Taekwon-Do families!

The parents displayed patiency but also unity, and showed a will to win together with their kids. Some of the parents by the way, already are regular TKD students.

In ring number 4 took place for the first time in Israel the Special Technique competition with the high flying frontal kick (Twimyo Nopi Chagi in Korean), using a device constructed especially for this event. The competition was accompanied with excitement and wild applause was given to the competitors who created the tension from the first moment on.

In the half time a small exhibition was arranged, including a Pre-Arranged Sparring demonstration by Dorin Shteiman and Benji Greenberg, and a second-degree pattern by Carmel Horowiitz and Shaked Cohen, who will be representing Israel in the European Championships in Italy, in April.

The entire competition ran on time and very successfully, as the medal awarding ceremonies were carried out not long after the ending of each category.

All this is thanks to Sabum-Nim Leonardo Oros-Duek (V Degree) and no less than 23 referees and assistants without which the competition was not made possible. Thanks very much also to Sabum-Nim Mario Cosacow (VI Degree) and Sabum-Nim Sergei Harchenko (V Degree).

Ranked first between the cities was Zichron Ya'akov with 16 winners, then Yoqneam with 10 winners and Haifa with 4 winners.

Thank you all, and see you in classes and in the upcoming sparring competition!

Carmel Horowitz
Israel Taekwon-Do Association reporter
Photographs by: Doron Horowitz