Taekwondo Index

I am very interested in Taekwondo, and I thought it would be nice to have a single source page for all related news. Pretty much everything here is somewhere in my diary pages, though the pictures used here are often different to those in my diary or on my photo gallery. Anyway, here are the highlights, with links to more detail and photos. The most recent events are at the top of the page - or the bottom of the index!

If you'd like to get in touch, please feel free to contact me.

Martial Arts Festival (12th June 2010)

It was Master Chong's 4th annual martial arts festival and I decided to compete at sparring.

2nd Dan Level 2 Certificate (28th May 2010)

Time for another check to see how I was progressing on the journey to 3rd Dan.

Master Chongs 2009 Championship (14th November 2009)

I competed at Poomse in the 13th Annual World Class Tae Kwon Do Championship in Buffalo, NY.

2nd Dan Level 1 Certificate (30th October 2009)

After moving from the Isle of Man and spending a spell at Park's Martial Arts Academy in Erie, PA, it was time to settle at Master Chong's in Buffalo. It has been a busy last year or so but the time had come to see how I was progressing on the journey to 3rd Dan.

2nd Poom Certificate (14th October 2008)

My 2nd Poom black belt certificate arrived here from Korea, via the isle of Man. I am now a 2nd Poom black belt, training for my third.

Great Lakes Open 2008 (11th October 2008)

My first competition outing in the US. The 7th Great Lakes Open was held in Erie and nearly 200 competitors came from Canada, Ohio, New York, New Jersey and all across Pennsylvania. I came from just down the road.

2nd Poom Black Belt Grading (17th & 18th May 2008)

Twelve students at the club graded for black belts. We spent two days at St. Johns' School Hall and had to perform a wide range of disciplines and techniques.

1st Poom Certificate (6th October 2007)

The black belt certificates arrived from Korea and I am now officially a 1st Poom.

Black Belt Grading (28th April 2007)

I was one of nine students grading for our black belts. Seven, including me, grading for our first black belt. It was held at the National Sports Centre and three officials travelled from the UK to carry out the grading.

Black Tag Belt Grading (9th December 2006)

My first grading as a member of the Isle of Man Taekwondo Association. It was held at the National Sports Centre and incorporated a forms competition to keep everyone on their toes. As with last year, a chance just before Christmas to earn my next belt.

City of Liverpool / Chungdokwan NW Open (17th September 2006)

A small team from the Isle of Man Taekwondo Association went across to Liverpool to take part in the City of Liverpool / Chungdokwan GB North-West Championships 2006. My first off-island competition.

Isle of Man Karate Championships (6th August 2006)

The annual 'big' open competition on the island, this year promoted as the Isle of Man Karate Championships. I was entered in 6 events - 2 kata (forms) events and 4 kumite (sparring) events.

Red Belt Grading (30th April 2006)

At the end of a very busy month I graded for my red belt. It's nearly 3 years since I started and I am still enjoying the sport.

Brown Belt Grading (11th December 2005)

A chance, before Christmas, to earn my brown belt.

Olympic Style Competition v. Liverpool (8th October 2005)

Our club, the Isle of Man Martial Arts Academy, and the Isle of Man Taekwondo Association selected a combined team to compete in Olympic format Taekwondo. I was selected to be part of the team and this was our first competitive event, against a team from Liverpool.

Blue Belt Grading (30th April 2005)

Hopefully all the hard work I put in for the recent competition will help for my first grading of the year, to get my next belt. This grading was held at the club.

IOM Open Martial Arts Championship (10th April 2005)

The 2005 Isle of Man Open Martial Arts Championships. Teams from all over the island, from the UK and even from Europe. Very tough day, but good experience for me in six events, including my first attempt at weapons kata.

Green Belt Grading (12th December 2004)

Just before Christmas another grading. A chance to earn the next belt before the end of the year and to have a new belt to go with the new, soon to be delivered, red uniform.

Purple Belt Grading (18th July 2004)

Grading time again. This time it was at the National Sports Centre (NSC) and was done in a slightly different format so that the day would be a little shorter.

Tynwald Day Display (5th July 2004)

On Tynwald Day the Isle of Man Martial Arts Academy took part in a demonstration display as part of the festivities at Tynwald Hill. I did a little bit of sparring and padwork.

Peter Doherty Memorial Spring Tournament (18th April 2004)

The Peter Doherty Memorial Spring Tournament is a Martial Arts open charity competition. Martial arts groups from all over the island are involved, with cadet, junior and senior classes. I was entered in the cadet sparring category and the cadet forms (kata) category. This was my first competition and I was a bit nervous.

Orange Belt Grading (24th January 2004)

I knew what to expect, but it was still a long day. This time Mummy came along to see what was involved.

Yellow Belt Grading (21st August 2003)

I did not know what to expect, this being my first grading. Daddy came along to watch the grading, because he had no idea what was going to happen.

The Beginning (15th May 2003)

I first attended Taekwondo classes at the Isle of Man Martial Arts Academy. Daddy thought I might like to try it, as lots of people he knew said their children enjoyed it.