4 members of Blue Dragon TKD have just returned from the UKITF English Championships in Paignton, Devon which was held on Sunday 3rd February and they brought back an excellent haul of medals with them, including 4 Bronze, 1 Silver and 1 Gold.
First up competing for us was our newest Black Belt and GB Squad member, Miss Emily Oakes from Winsford, who put in a near flawless display to earn herself is Bronze medal in 1st Degree Black Belt Patterns. marathon battled her way through 8 rounds of sparring to win her second and very well deserved medal of the day, going one better than before with a Silver in Female Black Belt Sparring, cementing her place as the No.1 ranked Welterweight in the country.
Next up was our second Black Belt Miss Lyndsay Walkinshaw, competing despite carrying a serious knee injury. On this occasion it proved to be just too much as she competed against reigning World Silver Medalists and European Champions, going out at the quarter final stage of the 2nd Degree Black Belt Patterns.
Later in the day, competing at his first ever competition was 9th Kup Martin Jones who earned himself a double haul of Bronze medals for both Patterns and Sparring up against some much more experienced opponents, taking some big hits along the way but giving as goods as he got.
This left the grand finale to our final competitor, red belt and new English Champion Paul Chrimes. Paul won his first medal in style watched by ITF Secretary General, Master Trevor Nicholls, winning the Gold for Red Belt Patterns. This only left him to be the very last fighter of the day and after some extremely bruising bouts got the final medal of the day and his second one winning a Bronze in Hyperweight Sparring.
As always the team were accompanied, encouraged and guided by the extremely proud Mr Al. Walkinshaw, Chief Instructor here at BDTKD. Also supporting were Miss Oakes’ ever supportive parents and Miss Walkinshaw’s proud mum.
