2021
Unfortunately, 2021 started with another Covid-19 lockdown, which meant that our classes had to go back to Zoom only for the early part of the year. Ongoing restrictions also meant that very few Taekwon-do events took place throughout the year and there were no tournaments. Socially distanced, but 'live' classes were able to resume after the Easter school holidays and we also ran outdoor classes through late spring and summer. Between September and December, the restrictions on our training gradually decreased, so we were slowly able to reintroduce contact exercises, sparring and self-defense techniques into our classes.
Brief details of the few events that we were able to hold are given below:
Brief details of the few events that we were able to hold are given below:
Black Belt Grading, Sunday 23rd May 2021
T-UK held a black belt grading at the Trident Taekwon-do Academy in Sale, on Sunday 23rd May. Three of Chester's junior black belt members were taking part, doing their 'star grade' assessments between 1st and 2nd degree black belt. They all put in excellent performances in front of Masters Archer and Ridley, as well as Mr Miley, Mr Emm and other T-UK instructors.
Congratulations to Ksenia Mangan for achieving her 2 star stage, and to Simran and Aman Rayet for their 1 stars!
Congratulations to Ksenia Mangan for achieving her 2 star stage, and to Simran and Aman Rayet for their 1 stars!
Coloured Belt Grading, Saturday 3rd July 2021
Following our Zoom classes in the early part of the year and our socially-distanced (non-contact) classes after Easter, we were able to host another grading test, which we did at the Cheshire County Sports Club. We were again very grateful to have T-UK President Master Archer (VII Dan) attend as our guest examiner and he was wowed by the technical standards that our members had managed to attain in spite of the restrictions on our training. Special mentions go to Molly Shaw and Victoria Pearson, who gained special praise for their excellent grading performances, to earn their 1st and 3rd kups, respectively.
Summer Outdoor Classes
We ran outdoor classes throughout the summer, at least once a week and despite a few occasions when we had to cut them short due to thunderstorms, or cancel them due to poor weather, everyone really enjoyed training in the fresh air.
Black Belt Grading, Sunday 21st November 2021
T-UK held another black belt grading test, at Leamington High School, on Sunday 21st November 2021. This time, Chester had two 1st kup members testing for their 1st degree black belts and, after working very hard for the weeks and months leading up to the grading, both Finn Bradbury and Arnav Vyakernam were successful. Huge congratulations to them for achieving their black belts for the first time after a very tough and thorough grading, and especially after a very difficult and disrupted 18 months of Covid pandemic!
Coloured Belt Grading, Sunday 5th December 2021
T-UK Chester Taekwon-do ended a difficult year with another morale-boosting performance at the coloured belt grading, on Sunday 5th December 2021, at the Cheshire County Sports Club in Chester. This time, we had T-UK vice-President Master Ridley attend as our guest examiner. Several of our junior and teen members showed off their skills and their knowledge. Master Ridley and Chester's instructors, Mr Emm and Mrs Shuler were all really impressed by the efforts of our members and once again, our high technical standards were clear to see. Congratulations to all of our members that achieved their promotions, especially to those of you who were taking your first ever grading test!
Below are some photographs from the grading, as well as some from our last class before the Christmas break, when our members were invested with their new belts.
Below are some photographs from the grading, as well as some from our last class before the Christmas break, when our members were invested with their new belts.
