2013 TAGB Scottish Open At Ravenscraig

Having missed the World Championships this year I was really looking forward to the Scottish Open at Ravenscraig Sports Centre. With a bit of a rainy start (East Kilbride turnoff on the M77 could barely be seen!) we arrived just before 9am to get our entry tickets. This time round it was only three members of "Team Harley" (Teagan, Ieuan and myself) competing as Karen was in her role as umpire. Along with us we had a few new competitors from Prestwick & Ayr clubs in the form Thomas Murphy and father and son team Craig and Dylan Nutt. We also had Katie Walker coming out of "retirement" and of course, had our "old hands" at competition with Connor Mulgrew, Mikey McDowall.

Craig's entry was for yellow belt patterns and no sooner than the competition opened and he was called to his area to compete. What can I say....the boy did good and came away with a bronze medal! An excellent result from his first competition.

Craig's 1st competition and 1st medal... bet it's not his last!

Men's Yellow Belt Competitors... well done guys!

Ieuan and Dylan and what seemed like a never ending stream of green belt boys were next for their patterns competition. The referee for this was the well known TAGB face of Warren Vice. I was also competing at the same time, so before and after doing my pattern I was able to see how the boys were getting along. All these wee guys did great and I know they all learn and improve from each competition they do. Warren was great with the youngsters and very encouraging, he made sure each competitor received a huge round of applause after their pattern which I'm sure boosted their confidence.

Dylan performing Yul-Gok

Ieuan performing Won Hyo

Meanwhile in my own patterns (green belt) competition I'd drawn for 3rd place with big Maxi (Jonathan Maxwell) from Uddingston. Maxi's a great guy and I look forward to seeing him again at the next competition. He's good and sharp with his patterns too, I just managed to scrape the bronze for this. In the process of this event I learnt a lot. Big shout to the gold and silver medallists in this event I didn't catch their names and didn't chat with them for long but as with everyone else I meet in the TAGB they're enthusiastic and very sportsmanlike in their attitude.

Me performing opening movements to Yul-Gok

Green Belt Men's Competitors (big Maxi to far left of shot)

After my competition was up Teagan was called for her own pattern competition (girls red belt). Now first off apologies as I'm going to ramble but this was one of those "proud daddy" moments. All us dads have been there, I'm just fortunate to be able to put it in online in writing! I was sitting with Simon Littlejohn (Auchinleck Club) whose daughter Olivia was also competing along with Teagan in this section. Here's a couple of photos to start with and then I'll ramble on some more...

Teagan performing opening move to Hwa Rang

Olivia performing opening move to Hwa Rang

Olivia and Teagan - do you think they are enjoying themselves??

Olivia did her pattern in her usual excellent and well executed manner I've seen her perform before, I'm sure Simon was also having a "proud daddy" moment as well. Teagan was up right after. Now I've seen Teagan perform Hwa Rang loads of times at training sessions but nothing... and I mean NOTHING.. prepared me for her competition performance. Both Simon and I watched and were both taken aback with the complete focus and concentration on her face. She really want it and she totally nailed it!! After all the girls had had performed in this group we found out that Teagan had tied for 1st place so had to go again. And again, she nailed it, but we still had no idea at the time how she had finally placed. The ref called out the bronze medal winner...... then the silver and at that moment I was watching Teagan and her face just lit up as she realised she had won the gold! As I said, proud daddy moment... but I also have to say big thanks to Kulwant Chahal, our beloved (can I say that here??) instructor for all his patience, encouragement and effort with her... I know sometimes she has him pulling his hair out (as do we all, don't we SIR!!). Teagan was sparring soon after this, she didn't get any medals but she sparred the best I've seen her do, she very nearly got through.. thanks for her improvement in this go to Scott McMillan.. we'll see you on Sunday Sir... well, Teagan will.. I'll be on the bench as usual!

With "Team Harley" entries completed it was time to see how our other team mates were doing... now I wasn't able to get round everyone but here are a few photos and results from Prestwick and Ayr, and a few photos from other Phoenix section kindly donated by various people.

Connor Mulgrew had been bumped from light to middle weight at the last moment due to him having grown half a centimetre overnight, he fought a cracker though and came away with a bronze in individual and a gold for tag team sparring. Connor picked up a bit of an injury to his ribs during his matches and at time of writing he's recovering so LIGHT TRAINING ONLY!! At least that's what his mum, dad, Mr Chahal, doctor and all his team mates have ordered.

Forget the floats... he just stings!

Great effort in his first middle weight sparring

 

Gold for tag!

Mikey McDowall also came away with a bronze for individual and a gold in his tag team sparring event and in the process picked up a beauty of a black eye. Evidence of how hard he fought his matches. Another good result, well done m'lad!

Three shiners... one gold, one bronze, one eye!

Katie Walker fought her to a bronze medal in the girls black belt tag team. Well done Katie it was great to see you back in action again. Hope to see you competing at the Scottish Closed as well!

Girl power!

Its great to see youngsters giving things a go for the first time. I'd like to mention a young man here, Thomas Murphy, who great courage getting into the ring for his first ever competition spar. He gave it his all and I know he's learnt something which he can take to his next competition.

 Well done all, Scottish closed coming up 5th October so we've got that to look forward to! And remember the grading is on 28th and 29th September so a lot happening end of this and start of next month.

For those of me that have me on their friends list on Facebook or follow the TAGB Facebook page, theres a rather large selection of photos in an album I've shared if you want a look. Thanks again goes to my roving photographers, Kiran Chahal and Teagan Harley. I'll no doubt be borrowing you again soon!

Now while I mostly got photos of Prestwick & Ayr competitors, I did manage to get a few from some of the other clubs as well. I was also sent a few photos to add in here. If you are wanting photos taken at competition, just come up and ask... I don't bite and am quite happy to snap away for inclusion in this blog or on facebook or even if you just want something for yourself. Also quite happy to include your own photos as its hard for me to get round every area when I'm also competing. Just drop me a message :)

Ladies Black Belt Tag Teams, gold and silver medal winners

Men's Black Belt Tag Teams, gold and silver medal winners

Watch out East End boys as its the
West End Girls (minus Lana Mohammed)

Girls Lightweight Tag Team Medal Winners

Boys Medal Winners from Middleweight Tag Team

Quite a few new competitors from Phoenix clubs, great to see people stepping up to try competition. So here's a special mention to all of you and well done! I'm sure you all gained valuable experience and more confidence from this.

From Irvine we had Emma Jennings, Michael Love, Kinnon Wright, Abigail Smyth and Mason Campbell.
Pollok newbies were Holly Webb and John Pitt.
Auchenleck first timers were Fiona McKinnon, Adeline Collins, Jack Colville, Robert Wright and Michael Wright.
Glasgow West End had Maya Kedilty, Aiesha Qaissomi, Kristina Hynes and Lana Mohammed in their first competition.
Kilmarnock had one new team member in the shape of Povilas Vinciauskas.
Everyone from Dunlop, Irvine Valley & Rutherglen, this was their first competition so well done to Scott Mc Bride, Euan Stewart, Tom Fillon, Melanie Gorrie and Graeme Rennie.
Prestwick & Ayr new competitors were Thomas Murphy, Craig Nutt and Dylan Nutt.

Now, I feel here that there's another load of people to thank and that's the parents of the children competing. You bring your kids to training each week. You travel with them all over to the various competitions (sometimes outside the UK and fighting through snow and rain and wind.... that's in the UK of course!), you support them and their team... you are also a big part of what makes this happen. Thank you.

I'm busy getting the clubs medal results together and that will be posted just as soon as I've got them all and from the instructors. As a parting shot, I think Mr Vice had better watch out, there's a new kid on the block and he really packs a wallop!

Dylan Nutt shows Warren Vice how its done!

Busy September for Phoenix

Two major events taking place in September. First off on 7th September at Ravenscraig Sports centre is the Scottish Open Championships. Personally I've been looking forward to this since I knew I was going to miss being at the Worlds. Now I know a lot of you will be disappointed that I'm not entering sparring so you wont get to see me getting my ass kicked in round 1.. but take heart that I am planning to spar in competition at some point before I retire :) Good luck to all competing, I look forward to seeing you all there and hope that there will be some new faces from the clubs at what will be their first of many competitions to come. I'll have a report with as many photos as I can get afterwards.

Second club event is at end of September... its grading time again. For those grading (instructors will let you know if you're eligible) time to get those patterns shining, 3,2,1 step sparring sparkling, line work in step and theory memorised. In case you need reminding my previous post on preparation for grading is here. Since then I've found another online resource called Memrise which Bedford TKD have used to setup a theory guide, have a look here for more information. For your diary, grading dates are Saturday 28th for Glasgow and 29th for Ayrshire clubs. Good luck in you grading preparation!

Summers Over (nooooo!!), back in Training (yahooooo!!)

That's us just passed the half way point of the year and what an amazing 7 months its been! Club successes at the English, Welsh and not to mention the Worlds have been amazing (blog report on Worlds to come later from Sara). But we're still not done yet, the Scottish Open is coming up in September, Scottish Closed in October and the British in November so there is are still plenty of goals (and golds) to aim for for everyone.

With most of Phoenix classes just starting back to normal training after the summer, its maybe time to look at your training and set some additional personal goals. For those thinking about competing for the first time then the Scottish Open and Closed are the two local ones to try out at. Trust me, once you've been bitten by the competition bug you'll just want more! With this is mind, if you are going to try competition for patterns or sparring, talk to your instructor and get some feedback on areas you may need some improvement on. For sparrers wanting that bit of extra training, Mr McMillan's Sunday sparring classes are back on now and these are well worth going along for to help improve you technique and movement. Even I might retry these again at some point (Note for Mr McMillan and Mr Chahal: some extra ice packs to hand please sirs... just in case! :) )

My goals for this year will be to be to compete at the Scottish Open, Closed and if possible, British. At the moment, it will be patterns competition only until I feel my sparring and overall fitness are at a better level. The aim will be more medals of course and with the club instructors we have, I'm sure these will be of a nice shiny top type. The Welsh Open proved to me I can get into the medals, and I was nervous there so I'm going all out for the next few now I know what the competition atmosphere is like.

Also remember that the grading is at the end of September... yes I know its a couple of months away but time to start thinking about some prep work for that... and don't forget your theory!! :)

Some Prestwick & Ayr club news... Rachel Risk (green stripe) who has been training with us for while now is moving to Glasgow so will be changing her training to the West End club. All of Prestwick & Ayr club wish you the best Rachel and as Mr Chahal said, you're welcome back anytime. And Rachel... I'll make sure I bring my sparring gear to every session from now on, just for when you do pop back :)

Grading Day - 9th June 2013

A wee change of venue of this grading. Instead of St Joe's in Kilmarnock this was at Kilmarnock Academy games hall. Never having been there before (and having been warned by Mr Chahal not to be late!) we left home at 8:15am and got there at...... 8:35am.... at least we weren't late sir! Oh, and before anyone asks... no I wasn't nervous or anything. I've learned a lot about myself in the past year, and one thing is to trust in my abilities so if I can do it anyone can! Part of my new found confidence I'm blaming on all of you Phoenix instructors and students, nothing to do with me :)

Theory seems to be the bugbear of a lot of people (remember the previous post folks!! I'm not writing these for the good of my health you know!) but like the practical its all a matter of preparation. Mr McRoberts was doing the green belts questions this time... I knew something was going on when he and Mrs Harley had wry smiles on their faces as I was called up. "Name all the main body parts, footparts and handparts in Korean" he asked.. I was about to launch into this when he said he as joking and what was the meaning of Won Hyo. <whew>... I know footparts and handparts and head so maybe next time Sir? :)

One thing that's interesting is that none of the kids seem nervous, they all seem chilled and out to enjoy themselves, and they do! Its great to see them "do their thing" no matter what grade they are. Its just us adults that seem to fret and worry over things like "is my linework double punch right"??? Not looking at anyone in particular... Heather... Gill... :)

Practical part of the grading is the part we've all spent 3 months (sometimes 6 months) training for. Linework, patterns, 3 step and 2 step sparring and for some, a free spar as well. Its great to watch the beginners throwing themselves (not literally mind) into this part with their linework and patterns. My son was grading this time for his green belt, apart from a wee error with one of his patterns the rest looked pretty good. My own practical grading went reasonably well too, even my 3 step sparring worked out well.. number 10 has been my own person demon for weeks but this time I nailed it!

Its good to watch everyone grading after you. For one it gives you an idea of what work is involved for your next grading but its also good manners as they've had to wait and watch while you finished your grading so remember you 1st tenant, "Courtesy".

Everyone did fantastic and I mean EVERYBODY! It can be a stressful event, I've seen someone so deep in concentration that another student finishing their pattern first and kiaping shocked them out of their focus, put them off and made a mistake.. so it happens. Remember you're putting yourself and what you can do out there for the examiners and spectators to see so sometimes these things happen.

So another grading on a beautiful sunny Sunday, great to catch up with everyone again and look forward to seeing you all in another 3 months time.... as a quick parting shot, Mr Sawyer and Mrs Harley were pleased to report that my rising block was so much better than it had been previous gradings but my L-Stance is now so short that they said that one of the 6 year old yellow tags stance was longer! There ain't no pleasing some people!!

For those of you doing the World Championships, the best of luck to you! I won't be able to join you but never fear, Sara MacKellar has offered to do a report on this competition for the blog.

Club World Championship T-Shirt and Hoodie

Sara MacKeller has been asked me to post this up regarding t-shirts and zipped hoodies for the 2013 World championships. So if you're planning on competing (or just want to look super cool!) please get in contact with Sara by messaging her on Facebook, leaving her a message on the Phoenix Facebook Page or texing her on 07860572118 to arrange this.

T-shirts are £10 and zipped hoodies are £25.

9th June Gradings - Change of Venue

Some information regarding the a change of venue for the West Coast grading on 9th June. Anyone grading on this day please take note.

Due to a last minute problems at St Josephs Academy the location for the grading on has been changed do the following:

Kilmarnock Academy
15 Elmbank Drive

Kilmarnock
KA1 3BS 

Please be there for 9am and DON'T BE LATE!!

TAGB Welsh Open 2013 - Full Results

Club Results - Welsh Open 2013

Ayr & Prestwick

Ayr & Prestwick Club Results:

Connor Mulgrew - Green belt - boys lightweight - Gold individual and Gold team sparring
Karina Chahal - Black belt - girls lightweight - Gold team sparring
Mikey McDowall - Green belt - boys peewee - Bronze team sparring
Teagan Harley - Red belt - girls peewee - Bronze individual sparring
Iain Harley - Green Belt - mens - Bronze patterns

A great, fab, AMAZING result for Ayr & Prestwick club....not that I'm bias :)

All Prestwick/Ayr competitors

Pollok

Pollok club results:

Andrew MacDonald - Blue belt - boys middleweight - Silver individual sparring, Silver tag team
Craig Dalziel - Blue belt - boys middleweight - Bronze individual sparring, Silver tag team
Louise MacDonald - Blue belt - girls lightweight - Bronze individual sparring, Bronze tag team

Brilliant work guys... can't wait to see what you bring back from the World Championships in July!

 Kilmarnock

 Kilmarnock club results:

Scot Wright - Green belt - boys middleweight - Gold team sparring
Breagh MacKellar - Red belt - girls lightweight - Gold individual sparring and Silver team sparring
Sarah Poole - Blue belt - girls peewee - Silver individual sparring
Ty O'Donnell - Blue belt - boys middleweight -Silver team sparring
Paul Monahan - Green belt - mens heavyweight - Gold team sparring
Natalie McMillan - Black belt - Cadet Girls - silver individual sparring and Bronze team sparring.
Hazel Bracken - Black belt - ladies heavyweight - bronze individual sparring and Gold team sparring
James Reed - Black belt - mens middleweight - Gold individual sparring and Silver team sparring

It was the noise of all this metal we heard clanking away over the border back to Scotland.. fab results!

Auchinleck

Auchinleck  Club Results:


Lennon Yancouskie- Black belt - boys peewee - Gold in individual and Bronze in team sparring
Dylan Baird- Red belt - boys heavyweight - Gold individual
Shannon Collins- Green belt - girls lightweight - Bronze individual

Fantastic stuff guys, the hard work is really paying off!

<photo to be added later>

 Irvine

Irvine Club Results:

Marc Williams - Red belt - boys peewee - Gold individual sparring and Gold patterns
Steven Frew - Red belt - mens welter weight - Gold individual sparring
Greg Dunlop- 2nd Round
James Campbell- Green belt - boys lightweight - Silver individual sparring, Gold team sparring
John Love- 1st competition at mens yellow belt heavyweigh

Great work all, good too see someone else at their first competition as well. Hope you enjoyed it John!

<photo to be added later>



Now maths was never my strong point and I'm quite happy to stand corrected, but collectively of the twenty eight Phoenix competitors that went down, this was the medal haul they brought back:

Gold - 14 medals
Silver - 9 medals
Bronze - 10 medals
Overall - 33 medals

Looking forward to seeing how the tally increases before the year is out as there are still a few more competitions to go!