The annual Student Awards for 2008 took place at the prestigious Banqueting Hall in Almada Street, Hamilton on Saturday the 7th of March 2008. The event was attended by 170 people, a combination of Instructors, Assistant Instructors, students, parents and family members.

The night started with a special presentation, which was a compilation of video clips. The clips ranged from Grandmaster Hee Il Cho television interviews, A.I.M.A.A Masters, Students, A.I.M.A.A Scotland events and Tournaments. The presentation showed A.I.M.A.A at its best, and was specially put together to show the students and parents that they are part of a Global family with the best Grandmaster, Masters and Instructors in the World.

The video presentation lasted just over 25 minutes and was fantastic to watch, it built the atmosphere up for the entry of the demonstration team, who where ready to show off their skills to the waiting parents and family members. The demonstration this year had 17 key pieces which involved students from Blantyre, Hamilton, Larkhall and Lesmahagow.

The first group on the floor was from Master Kirkwood's Blantyre school of Cho's TKD. The team of six Black belts executed a complex and intricate mixture of patterns choreographed to music, which ended with the group head students, Mr Mark Russell and Miss Kirsty Gough, pulling out the Scottish Flag at the end! a well performed piece of synchronised work. This was followed by another dynamic team undertaking a musical piece, incorporating dance, weapons and patterns. Young Jack Denholm and Jack Reid did an outstanding job with the BO and it was a delight to watch these two young students.

Next on the floor was Mrs Tracey Belgacem with a group of some very young students. The group executed a WTF pattern, which was well performed and something new within the programme, as no one had undertaken a WTF pattern before. The other exciting demonstration was Mr Billy Reid who performed a excellent routine with Nunchuka, to dance music. Mr Reid's son young Jack Reid performed later on in the programme with "Mortal Combat" showing his individual skills with the BO!

Mr Belgacem and Mrs Belgacem students from both their schools undertook a group adult pattern, with Mr Alex Walker at the helm, showing the young ones just how its done! Also Mr Karim Belgacem and Mr Walker undertook A.I.M.A.A one-step, which was shown in full flow and in full force. It was excellent to see this undertaken in the manner that it should be executed in, as it allowed all those watching how effective this self defence is.

We also saw Mr John Kirkwood perform "Moon Moo" with Kirsty Gough and Mark Russell. The two young Black Belts had been learning this from Mr Kirkwood for a considerable amount of weeks, as the pattern is very hard to undertake and perform. Mr Kirkwood also undertook sparring with Mr David Graham, with both Black belts showing kicking and hand combinations!

The programme involved children from all the schools undertake patterns, some to music and some without, in all the children did an excellent job, as they have been practising for many months for this award night.

The crowd saw a Pad workout being preformed by the adult students of Hamilton and Larkhall, utilising various combinations.  Also they watched self defence performed by young girl students of Master Kirkwood school. Master Kirkwood took part in this scene with him attacking the young girls and them defending themselves with a variety of weapons, such as umbrellas, mobile phones, scarf's and handbags, much to the amusement of the watching crowd.

We also watched a fight scene with Escrima sticks and Bo's performed by Kirsty Gough and Mark Russell. The final performance before the destruction and breaking was Master Kirkwood with his adult students who showed skills in fighting and defence utilising one-step techniques. It was a fast and furious fight with plenty of high kicks, take downs and energy.

The destruction demonstration had students perform various breaks using pine boards, however one of the highlights was Mr John Kirkwood jumping over students and going through a hoola hoop with a flying side kick, to break wood at the other end! The demonstration was followed by the annual awards, which honoured students from Blantyre, Hamilton, Lesmahagow, Larkhall, and Bellshill.  The night finished off with students and parents dancing the night away, with everyone enjoying themselves.

Master Kirkwood and Mrs Kirkwood would like to thank the parents of Cho's TKD School at Blantyre for their support and with the set up on Saturday Morning. We would also like to thank them for supporting the students who are members of the Demo Team, by getting them to training sessions each week, and giving up valuable time. 

Master Kirkwood and Mrs Kirkwood would also like to thank Mr & Mrs Belgacem for the gift he received from them on the night, as well as the beautiful flowers given to Mrs Kirkwood. Also a special thank you to Mr Kevin McLear for the kind gift to Master Kirkwood, which was greatly appreciated.

Lastly we would like to especially thank the Blantyre and Lesmahagow students who gave them such wonderful gifts. These gifts are greatly appreciated and we are humbled by the generosity of our students and your kindness. Master Kirkwood is honoured to teach each and every one of you every week, and the greatest gift he wishes for is to see his students flourish within the art of Tae Kwon Do.

The hunt is now on for the next students to receive awards in 2010, so keep up the good work, you never know you may get that special nomination letter in November.

TO VIEW THE A.I.M.A.A SCOTLAND STUDENT AWARDS 2008 GALLERY  CLICK HERE