Club Grading and Christmas Social, 11th December 2011
Sunday 11th December 2011 was a big day for our club, which started with our last coloured belt grading of the year. Mr James Miley (V dan) was the examiner again and as usual, he gave our students a very thorough test. As such, they were asked to perform basic kicks and techniques, patterns, fixed and free sparring, self-defence techniques, power breaking and finally, to show their technical knowledge. Luckily, our members performed very well as usual and all were successful.
Straight after the grading was our monthly black belt class and Mr Emm took the opportunity to give a real in-depth lesson on first and second degree black belt patterns, to ensure that our senior members will have the knowledge they need when they train with the ITF Grandmasters at the International Instructor's Course in January.
Finally, after a hard day, we finished off with our Christmas/end of year social, consisting of a meal and a few drinks. This was a nice way to relax after a busy day (and year) and the spirit in our club was clear as everyone took the chance to relax and enjoy ourselves.
Straight after the grading was our monthly black belt class and Mr Emm took the opportunity to give a real in-depth lesson on first and second degree black belt patterns, to ensure that our senior members will have the knowledge they need when they train with the ITF Grandmasters at the International Instructor's Course in January.
Finally, after a hard day, we finished off with our Christmas/end of year social, consisting of a meal and a few drinks. This was a nice way to relax after a busy day (and year) and the spirit in our club was clear as everyone took the chance to relax and enjoy ourselves.
Taekwon-do UK English Championships, 19th November 2011
Well done to Chester's members that entered the Taekwon-do UK English Championships in Stratford-on-Avon, on 19th November 2011. The standard of competition was very high as usual, but Chester's competitors performed very well against our friends from around the country.
Congratulations to Beth James (I dan) for winning a bronze medal in the black belt ladies patterns.
Also huge congratulations to Laura Harris (8th kup) who won a gold medal for sparring and a silver medal for patterns in her first major tournament!
Congratulations to Beth James (I dan) for winning a bronze medal in the black belt ladies patterns.
Also huge congratulations to Laura Harris (8th kup) who won a gold medal for sparring and a silver medal for patterns in her first major tournament!
Chester Black Belt Promotions, Sunday 30th October 2011
Massive congratulations to Chester Taekwon-do members Claire Williams and Katharine Shuler, who were both successful at the Taekwon-do UK black belt grading in Stratford-upon-Avon. Claire was promoted to 1st degree black belt and Handbridge assistant instructor Katharine reached 2nd degree black belt.
Both ladies were tested very thoroughly along with the entrants from the rest of the country, being asked to perform their patterns, various types of sparring, self-defence techniques, technical kicking and breaking wood, as well as being quizzed on their technical knowledge and Korean terminology. Both ladies did our club proud as they impressed the grading panel.
Both ladies were tested very thoroughly along with the entrants from the rest of the country, being asked to perform their patterns, various types of sparring, self-defence techniques, technical kicking and breaking wood, as well as being quizzed on their technical knowledge and Korean terminology. Both ladies did our club proud as they impressed the grading panel.
Club Grading, Sunday 9th October 2011
On Sunday 9th October, it was Chester Taekwon-do club's autumn grading. Eighteen of our members were tested very thoroughly by T-UK chairman Mr James Miley (V dan). All the candidates were asked to perform a series of techniques and kicks, their patterns and a range of different sparring and self-defence techniques, before being quizzed on their technical knowledge and Korean terminology.
As usual, everyone put in a very strong performance and this was reflected as everyone successfully passed their tests. Mr Miley commented that he was impressed with the club spirit. Special congratulations go to Nicola Burns, who gave an outstanding performance as she graded to black tag (1st kup).
As usual, everyone put in a very strong performance and this was reflected as everyone successfully passed their tests. Mr Miley commented that he was impressed with the club spirit. Special congratulations go to Nicola Burns, who gave an outstanding performance as she graded to black tag (1st kup).
T-UK Hosin Sul (self-defence) course, Sunday 2nd October 2011
On Sunday 2nd October, four of Chester Taekwon-do's members attended a 1 day Hosin Sul / self-defence training course in Manchester that was taught by T-UK president Mr Archer (VI dan) and Mr David Condie (IV dan). We spent 5 hours training in various drills, take-downs, holds and releases.
It was a bruising session for all, but highly enjoyable and we all learned a lot. In attendance from Chester were: Mr Emm, Mrs Katharine Shuler, Mr George Spencer and Zoe Spencer. Special mention goes to Zoe, who was one of only 2 yellow belts training with over 40 black belts!
It was a bruising session for all, but highly enjoyable and we all learned a lot. In attendance from Chester were: Mr Emm, Mrs Katharine Shuler, Mr George Spencer and Zoe Spencer. Special mention goes to Zoe, who was one of only 2 yellow belts training with over 40 black belts!
Chester Black Belt Class with Mrs Emma Miley, Sun 21st August 2011
To cap a busy weekend for Chester Taekwon-do, on Sunday 21st August, our black belt (Jee-Goo) class was taught by guest instructor, Mrs Emma Miley (IV dan). Mrs Miley is the senior female instructor in our association and England ladies' team coach. She has won several international medals herself in the past, including a silver at the ITF World Championships in South Korea, 2004.
Chester Taekwon-do has a large contingent of senior lady members and they were very grateful for the chance to train with Mrs Miley. She started them off with a tough, physical warm-up and a number of kicking and leg exercise routines, before spending the second hour of the class concentrating on technical detail, focussing on our students' movement between techniques and giving detailed instruction on the patterns from Yul-Gok to Gae-baek. Below is a link to a video of the class performing pattern Hwa-rang Tul.
Thanks very much to Mrs Miley for coming to our club. We hope that she will be back again next year.
Chester Taekwon-do has a large contingent of senior lady members and they were very grateful for the chance to train with Mrs Miley. She started them off with a tough, physical warm-up and a number of kicking and leg exercise routines, before spending the second hour of the class concentrating on technical detail, focussing on our students' movement between techniques and giving detailed instruction on the patterns from Yul-Gok to Gae-baek. Below is a link to a video of the class performing pattern Hwa-rang Tul.
Thanks very much to Mrs Miley for coming to our club. We hope that she will be back again next year.
Chester City Centre Demonstrations, Sat 20th August 2011
On Saturday 20th August, Chester Taekwon-do again performed a series of demonstrations outside the Town Hall, in Chester City Centre. It was busy in the City as people headed to the races and we drew impressive crowds as we performed our routines. Mr Emm talked the on-lookers through the various aspects of Taekwon-do, as our members performed patterns, pad kicking, sparring and self-defence routines, before the adults finished the shows off with the power breaking of wooden boards.
Thanks very much to all participants. It was a great success for our club!
Thanks very much to all participants. It was a great success for our club!
Summer Barbeque and Grading Weekend, 1st - 3rd July 2011
On Friday 1st July, Mr and Mrs Emm hosted the traditional grading social by having a BBQ at their house. All club members and their families were invited and over 40 people turned up. Everyone had a great time and the kids in particular made the most of the good weather in the garden.
On Sunday 3rd July, it was our club grading, where the club was again tested by Mr James Miley (V dan). 20 people took part and all were successful again, despite a very thorough test, where the students were required to perform patterns, sparring and self-defence techniques. Mr Miley impressed the students with the depth of his Taekwon-do knowledge and gave many helpful tips on how to improve their techniques.
On Sunday 3rd July, it was our club grading, where the club was again tested by Mr James Miley (V dan). 20 people took part and all were successful again, despite a very thorough test, where the students were required to perform patterns, sparring and self-defence techniques. Mr Miley impressed the students with the depth of his Taekwon-do knowledge and gave many helpful tips on how to improve their techniques.
Demonstrations at St Werburgh's & St Columba's School, 18th June 2011
On Saturday 18th June, Chester Taekwon-do performed two demonstrations at the Summer Fayre held by St Werburgh's & St Columba's School, Hoole. We have a number of students from the school that train at our club and we took the opportunity to impress their school mates with two demonstrations of about half an hour each. The demonstraton team consisted of both kids and adults, at a full range of grades from white belt to black belt. Mr Ken Drinkwater and one of his students also came from Manchester to help out. Mr Emm led the team through a full range fo Taekwon-do techniques, including patterns, sparring, kicking pads and of course, breaking of wood. The crowds were impressed and treated us to frequent applause as we performed.
ITF 64th International Instructor's Course (IIC), Finland, 10th-12th June 2011
By Chester Taekwon-do's senior instructor, Mr Jonathan Emm:
"I recently attended the above event in Oulu, Finland. This three day training course was taught by the ITF Technical Committee, consisting of Grand Masters Hector Marano, Willem Bos and Ung Kim Lan (all IX dan). About 120 black belts from all over the world took part and the course covered everything from beginner to Master level, including patterns, sparring drills, self defence and more. The Grand Masters' level of knowledge and experience was astonishing, as they answered numerous questions on techniques of all types and they put us (the participants) through a really thorough and challenging training course. It was a truly enjoyable experience and I would like to thank the Grand Masters for giving their time and efforts to pass on their knowledge and for making me welcome at the event. I would also like to thank ITF Finland for welcoming me and treating me so well.
Having the opportunity to attend courses such as this gives me the opportunity to pass on the absolute best technical knowledge and experience to Chester's students and that is why our members have and will be so successful in their gradings and tournaments."
Please follow this link to the official ITF report on the IIC.
"I recently attended the above event in Oulu, Finland. This three day training course was taught by the ITF Technical Committee, consisting of Grand Masters Hector Marano, Willem Bos and Ung Kim Lan (all IX dan). About 120 black belts from all over the world took part and the course covered everything from beginner to Master level, including patterns, sparring drills, self defence and more. The Grand Masters' level of knowledge and experience was astonishing, as they answered numerous questions on techniques of all types and they put us (the participants) through a really thorough and challenging training course. It was a truly enjoyable experience and I would like to thank the Grand Masters for giving their time and efforts to pass on their knowledge and for making me welcome at the event. I would also like to thank ITF Finland for welcoming me and treating me so well.
Having the opportunity to attend courses such as this gives me the opportunity to pass on the absolute best technical knowledge and experience to Chester's students and that is why our members have and will be so successful in their gradings and tournaments."
Please follow this link to the official ITF report on the IIC.
T-UK 1st Scottish Goodwill Championships, 21st May 2011
Several Chester TKD members attended the 1st T-UK Scottish Goodwill Championships at Grangemouth, near Falkirk, on Saturday 21st May 2011.
All of our competitors performed very well and Zoe Spencer bagged two silver medals (for patterns and sparring). Otherwise, Matthew Harris came 4th in both patterns and sparrring, so just missed out on the medals; Alex Roberts fought very well against a girl nearly 3 years older than her and Beth James gave Miss India Isles (a multiple international medal winner) a very tough fight.
Finally, well done to our black belt officals, who worked very hard all day and were much appreciated by the hosts and senior black belts!
All of our competitors performed very well and Zoe Spencer bagged two silver medals (for patterns and sparring). Otherwise, Matthew Harris came 4th in both patterns and sparrring, so just missed out on the medals; Alex Roberts fought very well against a girl nearly 3 years older than her and Beth James gave Miss India Isles (a multiple international medal winner) a very tough fight.
Finally, well done to our black belt officals, who worked very hard all day and were much appreciated by the hosts and senior black belts!
Black Belt Grading Success, 7th May 2011
On Saturday 7th May, two 10 year old students from Chester Taekwon-do entered the black belt grading test at the Trident TKD Academy in Manchester. The grading examiners on the day were Mr Archer (VI), Mr Ridley (VI) and Mr Miley (V), aided by several T-UK 4th dan instructors, including Mr Emm from Chester.
Sara Coles was testing for her first black belt and Alex Roberts for her '1 star', which is the first step towards getting a junior 2nd dan. Both girls performed very well and successfully passed a very thorough test!
Sara Coles was testing for her first black belt and Alex Roberts for her '1 star', which is the first step towards getting a junior 2nd dan. Both girls performed very well and successfully passed a very thorough test!
Club Grading and Social, April 2011
On Saturday 2nd April, about a dozen Chester Taekwon-do members went 'Laser Questing' in Chester. A great time was had by kids and adults alike and we found that 'sparring' with laser guns was a lot of fun!
On Sunday 3rd April we had our first club grading of the year. Mr Miley (V dan) was the examiner for the day and he and Mr Emm were both very pleased with the standards shown by the Chester students. All 20 students that took the grading were successful, which was a great result. Special mention should go to Claire Williams and Hannah Ward, who passed their black tag gradings and impressed the rest of the class with their Taekwon-do knowledge. It was also great to have 10 students taking their first ever grading and Mr Miley commented on how well the beginners performed.
On Sunday 3rd April we had our first club grading of the year. Mr Miley (V dan) was the examiner for the day and he and Mr Emm were both very pleased with the standards shown by the Chester students. All 20 students that took the grading were successful, which was a great result. Special mention should go to Claire Williams and Hannah Ward, who passed their black tag gradings and impressed the rest of the class with their Taekwon-do knowledge. It was also great to have 10 students taking their first ever grading and Mr Miley commented on how well the beginners performed.
Chester Taekwon-do in Gambia
One of Chester Taekwon-do's assistant instructors, Miss Stephanie Ward (I dan), recently spent some time doing voluntary work in Gambia, West Africa. While she was there she took the opportunity to teach some Taekwon-do. Here is her report...
"I went to Gambia in March this year with a voluntary group called Cheshire Youth Going Global. We went out there to learn about the different culture and to visit the schools, nurseries and orphans. We gave out resources that we had raised money for and which schools in Cheshire had donated. This made me realise how very lucky we are to have free education in this country. It was a completely life changing experience.
I was very thankful to be given the opportunity to teach Taekwon-do to about 50 young people within the community that I stayed with. This was an amazing opportunity to see how very thankful they were to me for teaching them something they had never even heard of before. The young people really opened my eyes up to the world. They put all their efforts into trying all the different techniques that I taught them and they were all so overwhelmed to be learning this martial art, which they had never known about before. I am hoping to go back in 2012 and I would like to raise money to go towards buying recources for the health clinic in Gunjur (in Gambia). I would love the opportunity to be able to teach Taekwon-do again when i am there next."
"I went to Gambia in March this year with a voluntary group called Cheshire Youth Going Global. We went out there to learn about the different culture and to visit the schools, nurseries and orphans. We gave out resources that we had raised money for and which schools in Cheshire had donated. This made me realise how very lucky we are to have free education in this country. It was a completely life changing experience.
I was very thankful to be given the opportunity to teach Taekwon-do to about 50 young people within the community that I stayed with. This was an amazing opportunity to see how very thankful they were to me for teaching them something they had never even heard of before. The young people really opened my eyes up to the world. They put all their efforts into trying all the different techniques that I taught them and they were all so overwhelmed to be learning this martial art, which they had never known about before. I am hoping to go back in 2012 and I would like to raise money to go towards buying recources for the health clinic in Gunjur (in Gambia). I would love the opportunity to be able to teach Taekwon-do again when i am there next."
North West Championships, February 2011
On Sunday 6th February, several Chester students took part in the GTUK North West Championships, at Ashton-on-Mersey High School in Sale.
All of Chester's competitors performed very well, bringing back a total of 8 trophies, including golds for
Beth James, Claire Wiliams, Matthew Harris and Zoe Spencer.
Well done to everyone. What a great start to 2011!
All of Chester's competitors performed very well, bringing back a total of 8 trophies, including golds for
Beth James, Claire Wiliams, Matthew Harris and Zoe Spencer.
Well done to everyone. What a great start to 2011!