Martial artists celebrate medal haul at several competitions

Martial artists from Bristol are celebrating after taking home a medal haul from several competitions this summer.

Members of South West Taekwondo (SWTKD), which trains in Lyde Green and Thornbury, kicked off the season with the Elite Martial Arts Professionals (EMAP) Open Championships.

 

The event [April 25], held at Thornbury Leisure Centre, is open to students from different disciplines in martial arts.

 

And the SWTKD team returned with over a dozen gold medals, as well as silver and bronze.

 

Continual improvement

 

Instructor Master Vaughan Buxton, a 7th degree black belt and a British, European and World title holder, said: “It’s a fun, friendly event and a great opportunity to learn – from the novice student to the more seasoned competitor.

 

“Each competition helps students to hone their technique, manage their adrenaline and improve their performance.”

 

The team then competed at the annual South-West Championships in Torbay [May 11].

 

 

 

 

And the club held their own competition for colour belts aged 18 and under at Lyde Green Community Centre the following week [May 18].

 

The event included categories in sparring and patterns, as well as high kick and long jump, and each competitor took home at least one medal.

 

Gavin Reader, who is a 3rd degree Black Belt in the Korean-based martial art and has been a sports coach for two decades, said: “This is a great introduction to competitions and helps students to push themselves in a friendly, encouraging environment.”

 

Sparrathon.

 

The club then held a sparrathon with over 50 members taking part in friendly sparring for 100 minutes.

 

The event held at Lyde Green Community Centre [May 24] included cakes by Margaret Reader, whose son and granddaughters train with the club.

 

Dad-of-three Gavin, who is a project manager with the NHS, said: “We’re grateful to everyone who supports our events and helps our club go from strength to strength.”

 

Black belts compete

 

Five black belt students then took part in the ITF Open Welsh Championships at the Cardiff City House of Sport Arena [June 7].

 

The quintet won 13 medals and a top 10 ranking out of 34 teams. Club members also attended as umpires, coaches and supporters.

 

Mr Buxton, who is a senior manager with multimillion-pound bathroom distributor Davroc, which has a base in Yate, said: “It was a fantastic day, with a high standard of performances.

 

“The students work hard and we are very proud of them as a club. They demonstrate the tenets of taekwondo, from perseverance to an indomitable spirit.”

 

Health

 

Taekwondo emphasises fast kicking techniques and is said to promote physical and mental strength. SWTKD welcomes students from four-years-of-age and with no upper limit.

 

Health benefits of Taekwondo include improved balance, flexibility, stamina, strength and posture. Psychologically, it is reported to help develop confidence, self-esteem and resilience.

 

Summer camp

 

The club has other activities lined-up – from parties to summer camps, which are open to all members, as well as friends and family.

 

  ·         SWTKD Lyde Green, which is led by accredited and experienced instructors, train at Lyde Green Community Centre every Wednesday and Friday. The first lesson is FREE. For more information, call Gavin on 07500 764276.

 

 ·         SWTKD Thornbury, which caters for children as young as four, holds classes at Thornbury Leisure Centre on Monday and Thursday evenings, along with Black Belt and squad training at Turnberrie’s Community Centre every other weekend. For more information, call Vaughn on 07866 685099.

 

• Alternatively, visit www.swtkd.co.uk or their respective Facebook or Instagram pages.

 

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