Trophy triumph for Mid Ulster Taekwon-Do students

The weekend proved a successful one for local Taekwon-Do students as they brought home seven trophies from the Berghem Open Tournament in the Netherlands.

Head coach of the National Team, Mr. Leo Maguire led a team of twenty competitors from Northern Ireland to the prestigious event. Seventeen podium spots were claimed in total, six gold, five silver and six bronze.

Nine members of the team are students of local classes in Mid Ulster and they were up against over three hundred competitors from the Netherlands, Belgium and Scotland, as well as their own team mates in some divisions. The young athletes battled for glory in patterns and sparring, claiming two silver and five bronze trophies between them.

Three of the Mid Ulster students have benefited from extra training support from their sporting parents. Mollie-Rose Brady’s father Eamon competes in triathlons and Iron Man contests at European and World Championship level.

Bradley Rodgers’ father, Paddy is a regular half-marathon runner. And Mark Gonchar, the youngest member of the team, aged eight, from Dungannon, can turn to dad, Alex who was twice Taekwon-Do champion of his home country, Ukraine.

All involved gained valuable experience in international sporting competition, but parents were keen to point out the beneficial life skills and values that the youngsters gain through studying Taekwon-Do:

“The camaraderie and friendships between all the guys and girls in the classes and on the team is a real confidence builder,” said Paddy Rodgers from Cookstown. “Bradley learns so much himself, and gives back by helping out the younger kids in the Active Tigers classes in Cookstown.”

Eamon Brady from Clonoe, whose daughter Mollie-Rose attends classes in both Cookstown and Dungannon said, “It’s great that Mollie-Rose is building physical strength, stamina and skill, but after seeing the team together at the weekend it’s clear that the teaching of respect, courtesy and self-control is given equal importance.”

Mr Maguire, Chief Taekwon-Do instructor for the area and President for Northern Ireland ITF is keen to point out that support from local council is vital for supporting these athletes:

“The Sports Representative Grant offered by Mid Ulster District Council is a great help with the costs involved in attending these international competitions.  Without such financial support it would be so much more difficult for these young athletes to gain the vital experience they need at this level if they want to progress in the sport.  And of course, the support of the parents is invaluable.”

UKTCNI Berghem Team – the whole Northern Ireland Team that competed on Sunday, with coaches and National Coach, Leo Maguire.

For those interested in trying Taekwon-Do, classes are available in Cookstown and Dungannon Leisure Centres, Magherafelt Parish Centre or The Lurach Centre, Maghera.  A free trial class is available and can be booked through the UKTC NI website at www.taekwondo-ni.co.uk .

Any businesses that may be interested in sponsoring future events held in Northern Ireland, or local students attending events in other countries should contact Leo Maguire on 07891191494 or email taekwondoni@msn.com.