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March 2009
Tae Kwon Do’s army visits VI South East Opens
2009
 Ask anyone that attended the
6th South East open on the 15th March and you’d probably get the same response - seldom have so many Black Belts
been seen at a National Championships, especially one that is classed as a ‘domestic’ by many. The L.T.S.I. surprised
itself this time when over 120 Black Belts and 160 colour belts took part - the event took four hours to get all
Black Belts finished alone!
In the past five years, we have always had open weights but this year saw light, middle and heavy weight categories
being added which clearly made things much more interesting. We saw some great fights during the day - the cream
of Tae Kwon Do from the ITF and independent groups were there to test their skills. Any champions that attended
was given more than a good run, as contenders were there to fight and win the spoils - in some cases, even the
best lost out.
Our regular friends, both from ITF and Independent sides, were there to do business and, boy, did it get noted.
Rayners Lane came mob handed, as did Northants GTUK, Learn TKD, Hay Harris TKD, UCTKD and Hemel Hempstead L.T.S.I.,
to mention just a few. A new group to attend was the ITUK who brought 40+ students to test their skills.
 The four 6-meter matted rings
and the centre stage 7-meter ring made all the difference, as those that do not normally use mats commented how
different it was to compete on them. The L.T.S.I. has no intention to use 9 meter rings, so some ITF’ers complained
about the size. The response from us was the event is not an ITF event, only ITF.styled and we certainly don’t
have any intention of making them fully ITF, now or in the future. Veterans came out of the woodwork to see if
they still had what it takes to win the medals. This was good to watch, as the 35+ men and lady Black Belts fought
for gold. The children’s tournament ran smoothly and many quality fights were seen. Juniors no bigger than your
waist height demonstrated the true quality which was good to see, as some just allow for their schools to be crèches
- this obviously is no longer the case, as many of the young ones were demonstrating good standards.
Onto the senior sections and what a sight! Looking across the arena, 100’s of Black Belts (or so it seemed – 120
really) were on the floor. Yikes, Tae Kwon Do’s army had arrived! Juniors fighting for their spoils, making sparks
as they kicked into the next rounds, referees racing around, sweating profusely. The great thing was there was
only one incident all day. The sportsmanship was there, the respect was there but, most of all, the brotherhood
of all was there.
 Up first was the team event.
Team Aldershot gave a good performance - many thought they had won, but the judges thought otherwise. The teams
(10 in total) made a play to win. The current champions, the L.T.S.I. originals, fell at the first post - oh well,
back to the drawing board for us then! New entries to this event were Hemel Hempstead L.T.S.I. and Northants G.T.U.K.
- both gave valiant shows, but only Hemel would win a bronze. Team I.T.U.K. were eventually the overall winners.
All in all, this was the best team challenge to date in the history of the team battle.
On to tuls, the L.T.S.I. took gold and silver in patterns 13’s to 17’s Black Belts. Both students were from my
main St. Albans club, which was a lift as we were having a bad day. Damn, I think we have been having bad days
the last few events…… L Not really, I just think the event has some great practitioners attending it now, hence
less medal returns.
 In the 13 to 17’s heavyweight
Junior Black Belt section, some quality fights unrolled with L.T.S.I. securing gold and bronze in this division.
Surprisingly, the L.T.S.I.’s number one seed was knocked out in the first round. As they say, a bad day at the
office can mess anyone’s game up. Making up for it though, he moved on to take the gold in the patterns so that
was a good return!
The girls’ Black belt section started and my daughter made a play to win gold - a more experienced fighter beat
her to the post taking the gold, but a silver first time out as a Black Belt is not bad at all.
Next up was the female veterans section, which was open weight. First up was Lisa Blewitt (L.T.S.I. Instructor)
took the gold, showing true spirit. Not bad, as she only decided to take part on the Friday before!
My old adversary Stuart Anslow was lined up amongst some HUGE veteran males. Yikes, he looked like a mouse in amongst
the others there as he was the smallest and was giving away 20+ kilos to most. He took the gold and proved speed
and technique will always lead you to victory.
Contact levels were good in the Black Belt rounds as expected, but some of the colour belt rounds were too excessive
in my opinion. This has to be placed on the referees shoulders but, to be honest, it’s not that easy when the tournament
is open, as interpretations of safe sparring differ widely between ITF and independents. We do know that at the
‘Invitationals’ in September, we will be sorting out the referees problem that were found this time.
 It was good to see some old
faces turning up with the new belts - Impact member Jason Anderson who has been there since 2004 and many of the
repeat clubs who in 2004 their kids were just that and now were 16 and 17 year olds (and much more experienced
and taller than me!).
The ladies breaking section was also another big event. Black Belts ladies gave their best and Hemel would take
the gold.
The South East Opens has been running for 6 years now - it is the prominent event held in the South East. We have
had to make many a change but, like our art, it is evolving and to be the best, we must accept that some things
have to be improved after the event.
I thank all who attended and made it a major success - without you, we could not have such a great event. Our next
event is due to run in September - if you want an invite, simply visit www.ltsi-tournaments.co.uk and register.
 Special thanks to Mr. Paul
Townshend for driving the van, Tracey Leonard and Mrs. Leonard for doing the canteen and all that gave up their
time to assist us on the day. These events are harsh and very long to say the least but, in retrospect, they are
the students’ days and not the Instructors.
Aldershot Tae Kwon Do won the best school title again, which surprised all as ITUK Longeaton had held the spot
all through the day. Mr. Adams, we take our hats off to your school, unbeaten in two years. Let’s see if you can
do a triple win like the ex-champions, Rayners Lane.
We look forward to seeing you all at next event – it will be as good as this one, so be sure to sign up and get
involved. We thank all coaches and helpers for assisting us on the day.
On a final note, there are many events in the U.K. but very few offer an event like ours - one where all rings
have independent umpires, so NO biasness at all and a place where the ITF and independents can compete and test
their skills on the understanding that neither have the upper hand. If you think your club has a good standard,
come and try our event. It’s not about how good you are, it’s about working with other like minded Tae Kwon Do’ists
and strengthening our art (or at least it is for us).
Mr. Chris Snow, 5th Degree
to see full coverage of event visit here http://www.uk-ltsi.com/ie/reports/2009/South_East_Opens09.html |
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