1st ITF Asia Taekwon-Do Championship
Island Taekwon-Do Centre sent a team of 5, including Master Daniel Sng, to participate in the International Taekwon-Do Federation 1st Asia Taekwon-Do Championships from the 15th to 17th of November 2011, held in Hong Kong. Singapore was one of 11 countries (producing a total of a 100-odd competitors) to partake in this landmark competition, the first of its kind for the Asian continent. The events contested were individual, as well as team, patterns and sparring, at the junior, adult and senior levels.
The tournament began on the 15th with an opening ceremony graced by ITF President Grand Master Choi Jung Hwa, with him and Master David Lau, President of the Hong Kong Original Taekwon-Do Council giving speeches. Following the opening ceremony, the individual and team patterns events took place for the rest of the 1st competition day. The welcome dinner was held later that night.
The 2nd and 3rd days featured the individual and team sparring matches, and the prize presentation and closing ceremony respectively. A farewell party was also held on the 3rd night, where we were given the opportunity to socialize with the competitors from other countries in a more relaxed setting.
In conclusion, we are proud to announce that Mr. Justin Gan (1st degree) emerged victorious in the Junior 1st Degree Patterns event, while Mr. Andrew Kung (4th degree) came in 1st runner-up in the Senior 4th Degree Patterns category. Of special mention is the fact that Justin was preparing for the GCE ‘O’ Levels examinations while training for the tournament, and in fact had arrived in Hong Kong just the night prior to his event. The commitment Justin demonstrated to perfecting the art of Taekwon-Do should certainly be lauded, as was his demonstration of the Taekwon-Do tenets – Perseverance and Indomitable Spirit – in balancing both his academic and Taekwon-Do commitments. Much credit also goes to Mr. Jonathan Sun (4th degree), our Team Coach, for his invaluable guidance and training.
We would also like to express our sincere gratitude to our hosts, the Hong Kong Original Taekwon-Do Council, and in particular Master David Lau and Mr. Windy Yu (5th degree, Shing Wu Taekwon-Do Association) for their impeccable hospitality from the time we landed in Hong Kong till the moment we departed. They made our experience in Hong Kong an unforgettable one, and it certainly leaves me hankering for a subsequent visit in the near future!
On a personal note, I would like to thank Master Daniel Sng for giving me the opportunity to participate in this competition, despite being overseas for almost the entire year, as well as Mr. Jeremy Tan (2nd Degree), for the outstanding administration of the trip. I look forward to many future experiences!
Taekwon,
Shanan Woo
Written by Mr. Shanan Woo, 1st Degree Black Belt, ITF Singapore
© Island Taekwon-Do Centre 2011