Senior Instructor Training and T-UK AGM, 22-23 January 2022
On Saturday 22nd January 2022, Mr Emm travelled down to Stratford-upon-Avon, for senior training with Master Archer (VII) and several of T-UK's most senior instructors (5th and 6th Dans). Master Archer took us through the three highest patterns in the Taekwon-do syllabus, So-San, Se-Jong and Tong-Il Tuls. It was great to study those patterns in detail together and to benefit from each other's knowledge and experience. We also then practised some step sparring and kicking exercises (see the photos, below) and had a discussion about breaking/destruction techniques, to standardise our techniques and expectations. After training, we went out for a delicious dinner in Stratford.
On the morning of Sunday 23rd January was the T-UK AGM and instructors' meeting. Again, it was good to see and talk to all of our friends and colleagues, even though it was via Zoom rather than in person. Mr Emm was very pleased to be re-elected for his third consecutive term as chairperson of the T-UK instructor's committee.
On the morning of Sunday 23rd January was the T-UK AGM and instructors' meeting. Again, it was good to see and talk to all of our friends and colleagues, even though it was via Zoom rather than in person. Mr Emm was very pleased to be re-elected for his third consecutive term as chairperson of the T-UK instructor's committee.
OMA Tournament, Deeside, 27 February 2022
On Sunday 27th February 2022, Chester TKD's junior 5th kup member, Eve Morgetroyd, attended a local tournament at Deeside Leisure Centre. She performed excellently in the patterns competition, just missing out on a medal, but earning great respect from her opponents, as well as the hosts and referees, who made a point of contacting Mr Emm afterwards, to say how impressed they had been. Eve will have gained very valuable experience from the tournament and we are very proud of her!
TKD Kubz Grading, Mon 28 February 2022
Big congratulations to the members from our TKD Kubz class of 4 to 7-year olds, who had their grading test during their class on Mon 28 February 2022. The Kubz members, after training with Mrs Shuler and practising hard, performed excellently for Mr Emm, who was delighted to award them with their grade certificates and badges afterwards. Well done to all of our brilliant Taekwon-do Kubz!
Coloured Belt Gradings at Trident TKD Academy, Sale, Sat 26 March 2022
On Saturday 26th March 2022, several of our coloured belt members travelled to Sale for a series of grading tests with T-UK President, Master John Archer, along with the members of the Trident academy, led by the newly-promoted Master James Miley. It was a rare privilege for our members to have two masters testing them for coloured belt grades and Mr Emm was very proud as he watched them perform to our usual, very high standards! Congratulations to all of our members who successfully passed their grading tests!
Black Belt Gradings at Trident TKD Academy, Sale, 7 - 8 May 2022
Over the weekend of 7th - 8th May 2022, T-UK held their black belt grading tests. On Saturday afternoon, four of T-UK's instructors were tested for their 4th degree black belts under T-UK's three masters (Masters Archer, Ridley and Miley), assisted by Mr Andy Crisp (VI degree) and our own Mr Emm, who was very pleased to be there. In particular, Mr Emm was very happy to see his good friend and a regular guest to Chester Taekwon-do, Miss Jayne Heywood, promoted to 4th degree black belt.
On Sunday was the test for 1st to 3rd degree black belts and there was even more reason for Mr Emm and our club to be proud and happy, as our own Mrs Katharine Shuler successfully passed here 3rd degree black belt! Huge congratulations to Mrs Shuler! It was just reward for her years of training and hard work!
On Sunday was the test for 1st to 3rd degree black belts and there was even more reason for Mr Emm and our club to be proud and happy, as our own Mrs Katharine Shuler successfully passed here 3rd degree black belt! Huge congratulations to Mrs Shuler! It was just reward for her years of training and hard work!
Training with Master Ridley in Chester and Coloured Belt Grading, Sun 3 July 2022
On Sunday 3rd July 2022, at Queen's Park High School in Chester, T-UK vice-President, Master Ian Ridley taught a series of classes for our club, starting with our black belts and most senior coloured belts, and with our newer members joining later on. Everyone involved really enjoyed the chance to train with one of Mr Emm's instructors, learning lots and loving Master Ridley's famous energy and enthusiasm.
After the training session, Master Ridley ran a grading test for several of our coloured belt members. Still full of enthusiasm after training, our members performed brilliantly. Master Ridley was so impressed that he handed out very rare (for him) 'A' grade passes to our three teen beginner members, Elizabeth, Carina and Evie, as well as one to our highest grade member to test on the day, Victoria Pearson, who gave a fantastic performance as she graded to red belt. Well done everyone!
After the training session, Master Ridley ran a grading test for several of our coloured belt members. Still full of enthusiasm after training, our members performed brilliantly. Master Ridley was so impressed that he handed out very rare (for him) 'A' grade passes to our three teen beginner members, Elizabeth, Carina and Evie, as well as one to our highest grade member to test on the day, Victoria Pearson, who gave a fantastic performance as she graded to red belt. Well done everyone!
TKD Kubz Grading, Mon 11 July 2022
Our youngest, TKD Kubz class finished off the summer term with another grading test and, as usual, our fantastic Kubz kids showed amazing skill, knowledge and enthusiasm, thanks to the excellent teaching provided by Mrs Shuler. Well done again to our Kubz members and enjoy your summer holidays!
Coloured Belt Gradings, Saturday 24 September 2022
Several of our coloured belt members took their latest grading tests at the Trident academy in Sale and once again, they performed brilliantly, impressing T-UK President Master Archer, host Master Miley and our chief instructor Mr Emm, as well as the other black belts who were present.
Congratulations to James Mangan, Matthew Shuler, Eve Morgetroyd, Rebekah Shuler, Eleanor Emm, Poppy Thomson, Evie Darke, Carina DeSouza, Ella Shaw and Ben Etchell for your grading success!
Congratulations to James Mangan, Matthew Shuler, Eve Morgetroyd, Rebekah Shuler, Eleanor Emm, Poppy Thomson, Evie Darke, Carina DeSouza, Ella Shaw and Ben Etchell for your grading success!
T-UK British Championships Tournament, Saturday 29 October 2022
On Saturday 29 October 2022, T-UK Chester Taekwon-do sent a team of 15 competitors to Ryton in Coventry, to take part in the T-UK British Championships tournament. Mr Emm and Mrs Shuler were also there, refereeing and umpiring all day, whilst special mention should go to junior black belt member Ksenia Mangan, who umpired for much of the day, as well as competing!
All of our members that attended performed brilliantly, especially considering that it was the first time at a tournament for many of them. We brought quite a few medals back with us, as well as lots of hard-earned experience and well-deserved respect from our opponents!
All of our members that attended performed brilliantly, especially considering that it was the first time at a tournament for many of them. We brought quite a few medals back with us, as well as lots of hard-earned experience and well-deserved respect from our opponents!
T-UK Black Belt Gradings, Sunday 20 November 2022
Huge congratulations to our new black belt members Mr Kris Dawson and Miss Molly Shaw, who successfully passed the T-UK black belt grading tests in Leamington today! They were tested very thoroughly but thanks to all the hard work they have been putting in and their several years of training, they both performed fantastically!
Congratulations also to Miss Ksenia Mangan, who passed her junior 1st degree three star grading!
Congratulations also to Miss Ksenia Mangan, who passed her junior 1st degree three star grading!
Gradings Tests in December 2022
We finished off our 2022 with massively successful Kubz and coloured belt grading tests. Our youngest, Kubz members had their grading during their class on Monday 5th December and the main coloured belt grading, for our junior, teen and adult members, was at Queen's Park High School Handbridge, Chester, on Sunday 11th December.
The Kubz grading was brilliant and as always, it was a real treat to see our youngest members' enthusiasm and skills as they showed off what they had been learning since the start of term.
We had a fantastic turnout for the coloured belt grading, and our guest examiner, Master James Miley was wowed by the brilliant high standards that our members displayed. We had great success from the beginners up, but special congratulations should go to Ben Etchell, Victoria Pearson and Ella Shaw for achieving their black stripe (1st kup) grades, so they will be hoping to go for their black belts in 2023!
Congratulations to all of our members for achieving so much in 2022. We have had a great year considering it is the first year of full training since the Covid lockdown and restrictions of the last couple of years. The club is booming now and we are really looking forward to 2023!
The Kubz grading was brilliant and as always, it was a real treat to see our youngest members' enthusiasm and skills as they showed off what they had been learning since the start of term.
We had a fantastic turnout for the coloured belt grading, and our guest examiner, Master James Miley was wowed by the brilliant high standards that our members displayed. We had great success from the beginners up, but special congratulations should go to Ben Etchell, Victoria Pearson and Ella Shaw for achieving their black stripe (1st kup) grades, so they will be hoping to go for their black belts in 2023!
Congratulations to all of our members for achieving so much in 2022. We have had a great year considering it is the first year of full training since the Covid lockdown and restrictions of the last couple of years. The club is booming now and we are really looking forward to 2023!
