click to enlargeBungay Taekwon-do club has had another great tournament success in 2010. 16 students from the club travelled the 180 miles to Stratford upon Avon in Warwickshire for the GTUK National Championships and gained a wide range of medals in all divisions, the long day began at 5am and students returned for 10.30pm bruised and battered but bright with success.
Bungay achieved 14 medals including 6 gold, 7 silver and 1 bronze. The family orientated club once again swept up with several family members succeeding during the hectic and challenging days events Suzi Bedingfield (gold veteran patterns), Logan Bedingfield (gold 3rd-1st kup under 65kg sparring) and Nidge Bedingfield (silver veteran sparring and patterns), whilst Sophie Akerman (gold 3rd-1st kup junior patterns and silver sparring) and Jenna Akerman (gold 3rd-1st kup junior sparring and bronze patterns) also did well especially as they are in the same division.
Other winners were Will Everson (gold 6th-4th kup junior sparring), Edward Parker-Jervis (silver 6th-4th kup junior patterns) and Adam Sloan (silver 3rd-1st kup junior patterns). Special mentions have to be made about Oliver Baylis (gold 10th-7th kup junior sparring) and Reece Jordan (silver 10th-7th kup junior sparring and patterns) as this was their 1st competition and they travel to Bungay from Beccles to train every week demonstrating great commitment and diligence. Tom Raven competed really well but narrowly missed out on the medals.
The black belts of the club worked tirelessly throughout the day refereeing and guiding but did not achieve medals which was a real shame, Lianne Hatcher won several patterns rounds but came up against a member of the England squad and was knocked out unfortunately, Martin Sloan (assistant instructor) fought hard but missed out in the judging and the club instructor Clinton Gillett came 6th in the patterns and 4th in the sparring again meeting an England squad member in the semi final.
The club is recruiting for new students at the moment so if you want to get fit for the summer come along to the high school on Tuesday or Thursday evenings from 7pm or contact Clinton Gillett on 01986 892140 for further details. The youngest students in the club are 6 years old and there is no upper age limit.
Competition photos can be seen here from the organisers official photographers web site:
GTUK British Championships 2010
Location: Bungay High School
Tuesday: 7-8pm
Wednesday: 4-5pm
(school students only)
Thursday: 7-8.30pm
