December Grading Tests, 9th - 10th December 2018
On Sunday 9th December 2018, Chester's junior, teen and adult coloured belts took part in a joint grading test in Stockport, with T-UK clubs from Leeds and Stockport. Master Archer was the grading examiner. He was assisted by Leeds' senior instructor, Master Ridley and Chester's Mr Emm led the grading from the front, instructing all the members in the patterns, techniques and exercises on which they were being assessed.
Chester had nine members being tested in the grading and we are very pleased to announce that all of them were successful in reaching their next belt grades. The test was very challenging, but our members showed their commitment and determination, by performing admirably and demonstrating the high standards of their training.
On the following evening, Monday 10th December, we held our Kubz grading test, for our youngest members (4 to 7 years). As usual, the Kubz' enthusiasm and effort was a joy to see, as Mrs Katharine Shuler guided them through the techniques and exercises they have been practising. Mr Emm was the examiner and he was most impressed by them all, as usual. In particular, the amount of theory and knowledge they have gained, in addition to their physical skills, is really pleasing and impressive.
All of our members should be very proud of their achievements in the recent grading tests and throughout 2018.
It has been a great year for our club!
Chester had nine members being tested in the grading and we are very pleased to announce that all of them were successful in reaching their next belt grades. The test was very challenging, but our members showed their commitment and determination, by performing admirably and demonstrating the high standards of their training.
On the following evening, Monday 10th December, we held our Kubz grading test, for our youngest members (4 to 7 years). As usual, the Kubz' enthusiasm and effort was a joy to see, as Mrs Katharine Shuler guided them through the techniques and exercises they have been practising. Mr Emm was the examiner and he was most impressed by them all, as usual. In particular, the amount of theory and knowledge they have gained, in addition to their physical skills, is really pleasing and impressive.
All of our members should be very proud of their achievements in the recent grading tests and throughout 2018.
It has been a great year for our club!
ITF Open British Championships, Sunday 24th November 2018
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On Sunday 24th November 2018, British ITF clubs and groups came together for the 2nd ITF Open British championships, in Motherwell, near Glasgow. As well as teams from the four UK home nations, guest teams also attended from the Republic of Ireland, the Netherlands, Finland and Uzbekistan. In total, there were over 700 competitors, including many World and European medallists. There were also many masters present, and a special guest of honour, Grandmaster Tom MaCallum (IX Dan), from Scotland.
Chester's junior member, Natasha Cheers took part and Mr Emm was there refereeing. Natasha gave excellent performances in both patterns and sparring in by far the biggest tournament of her Taekwon-Do career to date. Whilst she did not manage to reach the medal places this time, she performed with impressive determination and courage and she has made us very proud of her! T-UK also performed very well as an association, with our English and Scottish teams winning a total of 49 medals between us. Overall, the tournament was a very impressive event. Great credit must go to its outstanding organisers, as well as the referees and officials, who all worked hard throughout a long day! A report on the tournament is available here, on the European ITF website. |
T-UK Black Belt Grading Tests, Sunday 18th November 2018
On Sunday 18th November 2018, T-UK Masters Archer and Ridley oversaw a series of black belt grading tests in Stratford-upon-Avon. Chester Taekwon-do had one member taking part, whilst our senior instructor, Mr Emm, was present to assist the masters in running and judging the members' performances.
We are very proud to announce that our junior member, Ksenia Mangan, gave an excellent performance in all aspects of Taekwon-do, to successfully earn her 1st degree black belt. We offer her our biggest congratulations!
As well as Ksenia, it was also great to see our former member, Beth Degg, also reach her black belt in the adult grading test. Beth trained with Mr Emm in Chester for several years before moving to Stockport, where she now trains under Miss Jayne Heywood. Nonetheless, Beth retains close links to our club and we also wish her our heartiest congratulations!
As usual, T-UK members were tested very thoroughly in patterns, technical kicking, self-defence, sparring. power and theory. The standard expected and achieved by our black belt members is truly impressive and all of our black belt members should be very proud of their achievements.
We are very proud to announce that our junior member, Ksenia Mangan, gave an excellent performance in all aspects of Taekwon-do, to successfully earn her 1st degree black belt. We offer her our biggest congratulations!
As well as Ksenia, it was also great to see our former member, Beth Degg, also reach her black belt in the adult grading test. Beth trained with Mr Emm in Chester for several years before moving to Stockport, where she now trains under Miss Jayne Heywood. Nonetheless, Beth retains close links to our club and we also wish her our heartiest congratulations!
As usual, T-UK members were tested very thoroughly in patterns, technical kicking, self-defence, sparring. power and theory. The standard expected and achieved by our black belt members is truly impressive and all of our black belt members should be very proud of their achievements.
T-UK British Championships, Saturday 13th October 2018
On Saturday 13th October 2018 T-UK held our annual British championships tournament in Stratford-upon-Avon. Chester was well represented at the tournament with 5 competitors taking part: Mrs Katharine Shuler, Ksenia Mangan, Arnav Vyakernam, Sophia Mangan and Natasha Cheers. Mr Emm and Miss Nicola Burns were also there, as referees/umpires.
All of our competitors put in very strong performances and did us proud. We won several medals too, with Sophia Mangan and Natasha Cheers winning both bronze and gold medals. Ksenia and Arnav both also performed very well in very tough categories and were unlucky to miss out on medals. The same applied to Mrs Shuler in the adult black belt categories; she did well against tough opponents, but unfortunately didn't manage to win a medal this time. Nonetheless, our members gave a great impression of our club and most importantly, they enjoyed and benefitted from the experience.
After the tournament, there was a party held at Stratford football club. Mr Emm attended and really enjoyed spending some social time with the T-UK senior instructors, as well as some old friends and lots of the Scottish contingent that came down to Stratford for the tournament.
All of our competitors put in very strong performances and did us proud. We won several medals too, with Sophia Mangan and Natasha Cheers winning both bronze and gold medals. Ksenia and Arnav both also performed very well in very tough categories and were unlucky to miss out on medals. The same applied to Mrs Shuler in the adult black belt categories; she did well against tough opponents, but unfortunately didn't manage to win a medal this time. Nonetheless, our members gave a great impression of our club and most importantly, they enjoyed and benefitted from the experience.
After the tournament, there was a party held at Stratford football club. Mr Emm attended and really enjoyed spending some social time with the T-UK senior instructors, as well as some old friends and lots of the Scottish contingent that came down to Stratford for the tournament.
Mr Emm Elected T-UK Instructors' Chairman, Saturday 13th October 2018
On Sunday 2nd September, Chester Taekwon-do's senior instructor, Mr Emm was elected as the Chairman of the T-UK instructor's committee at the T-UK AGM and instructor's meeting in Sale, Greater Manchester. Mr Emm will now hold the position for two years and as such, he will be responsible for chairing and administrating all meetings of the T-UK instructors committee. Ms Sharon Saunders was elected as Secretary at the same time.
Congratulations to Mr Emm. He was very grateful to all of the instructors for demonstrating their faith in him.
Mr Emm is pictured here with T-UK's President and vice-President, Masters Archer and Ridley (both VII Dan).
Congratulations to Mr Emm. He was very grateful to all of the instructors for demonstrating their faith in him.
Mr Emm is pictured here with T-UK's President and vice-President, Masters Archer and Ridley (both VII Dan).
Training Seminars with Master Jedut, 11th - 12th August 2018
On Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th August, three of Chester Taekwon-do's black belts (Mr Jon Emm, Mrs Katharine Shuler and Mr Adi Iyer) had the great privilege of training with one of the ITF's most famous and successful instructors and coaches, Master Jurek Jedut (VIII Dan) from Poland. We are very lucky that Master Jedut has regularly visited Manchester during his summer seminar tours for the last few years, He has trained numerous World and European champions, including the ITF's most famous multi-time World patterns champion Master Suska.
As always, Master Jedut inspired everyone with his impressive knowledge and the vast range of training drills and exercises that he always has. He always uses every possible minute at his disposal and frequently takes more time whenever he can and he always makes sure we give everything we have while we are training. This year was no exception and we were very fortunate to train with him for more than 5 hours on the Saturday afternoon. Adi then demonstrated his fitness and stamina by training again on Sunday; this time for over 4 hours!
Master Tom Denis (VIII Dan) was accompanying Master Jedut during the seminars and Mr Emm was very grateful to Master Denis for taking him to one side for an hour or so, to practice senior patterns So-San and Se-Jong.
Thank you Sirs! We hope to see you again next year!
As always, Master Jedut inspired everyone with his impressive knowledge and the vast range of training drills and exercises that he always has. He always uses every possible minute at his disposal and frequently takes more time whenever he can and he always makes sure we give everything we have while we are training. This year was no exception and we were very fortunate to train with him for more than 5 hours on the Saturday afternoon. Adi then demonstrated his fitness and stamina by training again on Sunday; this time for over 4 hours!
Master Tom Denis (VIII Dan) was accompanying Master Jedut during the seminars and Mr Emm was very grateful to Master Denis for taking him to one side for an hour or so, to practice senior patterns So-San and Se-Jong.
Thank you Sirs! We hope to see you again next year!
Master Ridley's Class in Chester, Sunday 22nd July 2018
Chester Taekwon-do was very fortunate to host T-UK vice-President Master Ian Ridley (VII Dan) on Sunday 22nd July 2018, as he came to teach one of our Sunday classes. Whilst our Sunday classes are normally for senior grades, we opened it up to all of our junior and teen/adult class members this time, so as many people as possible had the chance to train with Master Ridley.
As always, Master Ridley taught an excellent class, drilling our members on their fundamental movements, patterns, sparring and self-defence drills. Everyone was very impressed and grateful for the knowledge and insight that Master Ridley provided and thoroughly enjoyed themselves, as Master Ridley's enthusiasm and passion for the art rubbed off on all of us.
The last hour of the class was devoted to the red and black belt members, going through the senior patterns, as well as some more advanced self-defence techniques, including knife defence drills and exercises.
We would all like to thank Master Ridley for coming to teach our club and we look forward to welcoming him again next year!
A few photographs from the class are shown below, but several more are on our photo galleries page, here.
As always, Master Ridley taught an excellent class, drilling our members on their fundamental movements, patterns, sparring and self-defence drills. Everyone was very impressed and grateful for the knowledge and insight that Master Ridley provided and thoroughly enjoyed themselves, as Master Ridley's enthusiasm and passion for the art rubbed off on all of us.
The last hour of the class was devoted to the red and black belt members, going through the senior patterns, as well as some more advanced self-defence techniques, including knife defence drills and exercises.
We would all like to thank Master Ridley for coming to teach our club and we look forward to welcoming him again next year!
A few photographs from the class are shown below, but several more are on our photo galleries page, here.
Taekwon-do Kubz Grading, Chester, Monday 9th July 2018
Chester Taekwon-do held our second ever Taekwon-do Kubz grading during our class at Upton-by-Chester High School on Monday 9th July. We had 13 kids taking part and our youngest members all impressed us (as always) with their great enthusiasm and efforts. Mrs Shuler took them through all of the techniques they have learned, as well as quizzing them on much of the life and Taekwon-do knowledge they have gained in the last few months. Mr Emm was acting as examiner for the grading and he was delighted by the Kubz' performances. Credit must go to all of them, as well as our excellent instructors, who coax such excellent efforts from them!
Coloured Belt Grading, Chester, Sunday 24th June 2018
On Sunday 24th June 2018, Chester Taekwon-do hosted our first coloured belt grading in our home city for several years, as T-UK vice-President, Master Ian Ridley (VII Dan) came to test our coloured belt members at the Old Chapel in Housesteads Drive, Hoole. Master Ridley conducted a very thorough test, covering all aspects of Taekwon-do, including some 'off syllabus' challenges designed to assess the mental strength and determination of our members. I am very pleased to say that Master Ridley was most impressed wit our performances, so all of our members that took part were successful in achieving their promotions. Congratulations to all!
Black Belt Gradings, Sale, Manchester, Sat 5th & Sun 6th May 2018
On Saturday 5th May 2018, Chester's senior instructor, Mr Emm, took an 'international grade' black belt grading test at the Trident TKD academy in Sale, under Master Archer and Master Ridley (both VII Dan), assisted by Mr Miley (VI Dan). Along with Mr Emm, four others were being tested and all five were put through a grading that was physically challenging (and bruising), as well as mentally demanding.
At the end of the grading, Mr Emm was very pleased and grateful to be promoted to 5th degree black belt. Everyone's standards were high after long preparation and it is very pleasing to report that all of the candidates were successful. Mr Ben England and Mr Tim Warmingham) were also promoted to 5th degree, whilst Mr Alex Wright and Mr Marc Kennan were promoted to 4th degree black belt.
On Sunday 6th May, at the Ashton-on-Mersey High School, also in Sale, it was the turn of those hoping to reach 1st to 3rd degree black belt grades to be tested. Chester's Adi Iyer was among the many 1st kup members being tested for 1st degree and it is again very pleasing to report that he gave an excellent performance and passed with flying colours, to receive his first black belt. Once again, the technical standards and attitudes on display from the candidates was very impressive to see and despite being tested very thoroughly, the vast majority of candidates were successful.
Big congratulations to both Mr Emm and Mr Iyer for their achievements!
At the end of the grading, Mr Emm was very pleased and grateful to be promoted to 5th degree black belt. Everyone's standards were high after long preparation and it is very pleasing to report that all of the candidates were successful. Mr Ben England and Mr Tim Warmingham) were also promoted to 5th degree, whilst Mr Alex Wright and Mr Marc Kennan were promoted to 4th degree black belt.
On Sunday 6th May, at the Ashton-on-Mersey High School, also in Sale, it was the turn of those hoping to reach 1st to 3rd degree black belt grades to be tested. Chester's Adi Iyer was among the many 1st kup members being tested for 1st degree and it is again very pleasing to report that he gave an excellent performance and passed with flying colours, to receive his first black belt. Once again, the technical standards and attitudes on display from the candidates was very impressive to see and despite being tested very thoroughly, the vast majority of candidates were successful.
Big congratulations to both Mr Emm and Mr Iyer for their achievements!
T-UK Technical Course, Trident TKD Academy, Sale, Sunday 22nd April 2018
On Sunday 22nd April 2018, Chester's instructor's Mr Emm, Mrs Shuler and 1st kup student, Adi Iyer attended the excellent T-UK technical course at the Trident TKD academy in Sale. T-UK Masters Archer and Ridley (both VII Dan), as well as Mr Crisp (VI Dan) went through many basic movements and the coloured belts patterns in fine detail, impressing everyone with the depth and extent of their knowledge. The red belt members in attendance all learned a lot, whilst the black belts (including our instructors) also either learned new details about some of the techniques, or were reminded of points that they had forgotten. After going through the patterns, we also studied the coloured belt fixed sparring syllabus, to make sure that everyone was teaching and learning it correctly. Perhaps the best news for Chester was that we seem to have been doing things correctly! The course was both enjoyable and informative and our members were very grateful to be there.
Coloured Belt Grading Tests, Trident TKD Academy, Sale, Saturday 24th March 2018
On Saturday 24th March 2018, we had our first coloured belt grading tests of the year for our junior and adult members. As usual, the tests were at the Trident Taekwon-do Academy in Sale, Greater Manchester and the grading examiner was T-UK President, Master John Archer (VII Dan).
Chester had an excellent turnout, with 15 of members being tested across the different age and grade groups. Master Archer was as thorough and fair as usual and Mr Emm was delisted to see that all of our members had prepared very well for the gradings and they gave outstanding performances across the board, with all of our entrants being successful in reaching their next grade levels. Well done to all of you!
Special mentions and congratulations go to Angelina Pearson for receiving an A' grade pass and to Ksenia Mangan for reaching her 1st kup (black stripe) grade, with a very brave and impressive performance in a tough test.
Chester had an excellent turnout, with 15 of members being tested across the different age and grade groups. Master Archer was as thorough and fair as usual and Mr Emm was delisted to see that all of our members had prepared very well for the gradings and they gave outstanding performances across the board, with all of our entrants being successful in reaching their next grade levels. Well done to all of you!
Special mentions and congratulations go to Angelina Pearson for receiving an A' grade pass and to Ksenia Mangan for reaching her 1st kup (black stripe) grade, with a very brave and impressive performance in a tough test.
Chester's first ever Taekwon-do Kubz Grading, Monday 5th March 2018
On Monday 5th March 2018, during our normal class, we held our first ever Taekwon-Do Kubz grading for our youngest (4-7 year old) members. Our very own Mr Emm was the grading examiner, whilst Mrs Shuler was the organiser, motivator and chief usher, encouraging the kids through their exercises and testing them on the knowledge they have obtained.
It was a wonderful experience for everyone involved and it was very gratifying to see the young kids enjoying themselves and proudly showing and telling Mr Emm what they have learned. Great credit must go to Mrs Shuler for organising and running our Kubz classes, as well as to Miss Nicola Burns and Ksenia Mangan for their support and assistance. Massive thanks must also go to Master Hutton (VIII Dan) for his inspiration, example, motivation and the huge effort he has made in developing and promoting the brilliant Kubz programme, as well as to Mr Miley (VI Dan) for bringing the TKD Kubz programme to T-UK and the Trident group of clubs.
Thanks also to the parents and families for bringing their children to our club, but most importantly a huge well done and congratulations to the amazing kids in our Kubz class. We have all really enjoyed teaching them and were incredibly proud to see their performances!
It was a wonderful experience for everyone involved and it was very gratifying to see the young kids enjoying themselves and proudly showing and telling Mr Emm what they have learned. Great credit must go to Mrs Shuler for organising and running our Kubz classes, as well as to Miss Nicola Burns and Ksenia Mangan for their support and assistance. Massive thanks must also go to Master Hutton (VIII Dan) for his inspiration, example, motivation and the huge effort he has made in developing and promoting the brilliant Kubz programme, as well as to Mr Miley (VI Dan) for bringing the TKD Kubz programme to T-UK and the Trident group of clubs.
Thanks also to the parents and families for bringing their children to our club, but most importantly a huge well done and congratulations to the amazing kids in our Kubz class. We have all really enjoyed teaching them and were incredibly proud to see their performances!
T-UK Trident Championships Tournament, Manchester, Sunday 4th March 2018
On Sunday 4th March 2018, a few of T-UK Chester's members attended the Trident (North-West) regional championships tournament in Manchester. The tournament was very well organised, with around 200 competitors taking part, as well as an excellent team of officials.
All of Chester's competitors gave excellent performances, with special congratulations going to our medal winners, Mrs Katharine Shuler, who won a silver medal in the black belt sparring division and to Natasha Cheers, who won silver medals in both patterns and sparring at her first ever tournament! Our other competitors also did us proud, although they missed out on the medals, as they were competing in some very impressive categories, against tough opponents.
Mr Emm, Mrs Shuler (when not competing) and Miss Nicola Burns also worked all day as umpires/officials. Nicola earned special praise from the senior officials for the competent way she performed as an official, despite her young age.
All of Chester's competitors gave excellent performances, with special congratulations going to our medal winners, Mrs Katharine Shuler, who won a silver medal in the black belt sparring division and to Natasha Cheers, who won silver medals in both patterns and sparring at her first ever tournament! Our other competitors also did us proud, although they missed out on the medals, as they were competing in some very impressive categories, against tough opponents.
Mr Emm, Mrs Shuler (when not competing) and Miss Nicola Burns also worked all day as umpires/officials. Nicola earned special praise from the senior officials for the competent way she performed as an official, despite her young age.
T-UK Area Seminar, Manchester, Sunday 18th February 2018
On Sunday 18th February 2018, T-UK's annual training seminars in the North-West region were held in Manchester. The training sessions were taught by T-UK's two Masters: T-UK President, Master John Archer and vice-President, Master Ian Ridley (both VII Dan).
The morning session was for coloured belts and it was attended by several of Chester's members, including many of our red belts:
John Simpson, Adi Iyer, Simran and Aman Rayet, Ksenia Mangan and her green stripe sister, Sophia Mangan. Our two masters covered much of our syllabus, going through fundamental movements, patterns and self-defence techniques, whilst Mr Emm assisted Master Ridley in teaching fixed sparring and some other techniques whilst Master Archer took the higher grade members through their patterns.
The afternoon session was for black belts and Chester's assistant instructors Mrs Katharine Shuler and Miss Nicola Burns joined Mr Emm for the black belt training session, which followed a similar format to the coloured belt seminar, but focussing on the black belt patterns and some more advanced techniques, after ensuring that our basic movements were also being performed correctly.
The morning session was for coloured belts and it was attended by several of Chester's members, including many of our red belts:
John Simpson, Adi Iyer, Simran and Aman Rayet, Ksenia Mangan and her green stripe sister, Sophia Mangan. Our two masters covered much of our syllabus, going through fundamental movements, patterns and self-defence techniques, whilst Mr Emm assisted Master Ridley in teaching fixed sparring and some other techniques whilst Master Archer took the higher grade members through their patterns.
The afternoon session was for black belts and Chester's assistant instructors Mrs Katharine Shuler and Miss Nicola Burns joined Mr Emm for the black belt training session, which followed a similar format to the coloured belt seminar, but focussing on the black belt patterns and some more advanced techniques, after ensuring that our basic movements were also being performed correctly.
T-UK Executive Meeting and Instructor's Course, Manchester, Sunday 28th January 2018
T-UK instructors
On Sunday 28th January 2018, Mr Emm attended a T-UK executive meeting, where all of our senior black belt members (4th degree and above) discussed plans for 2018 and the future. Our association is one of the best in the UK, but we are always trying to make it better and this year will be no exception, with a number of exciting projects taking place, which will benefit our clubs and our members.
Afterwards, all of T-UK's current and aspiring instructors, including (of course) our own Mr Emm and Mrs Katharine Shuler, had an instructor's training course led by the T-UK directors. This was to make sure our teaching techniqiues and administration procedures are fully up to date and the best available. It was an enjoyable day for everyone involved and the future looks very bright for T-UK, as well as for T-UK Chester!
Afterwards, all of T-UK's current and aspiring instructors, including (of course) our own Mr Emm and Mrs Katharine Shuler, had an instructor's training course led by the T-UK directors. This was to make sure our teaching techniqiues and administration procedures are fully up to date and the best available. It was an enjoyable day for everyone involved and the future looks very bright for T-UK, as well as for T-UK Chester!