A huge well done from everyone within A.I.M.A.A Scotland for the recent promotions of students who train with Master Kirkwood. As head of A.I.M.A.A in Scotland he hosted the Black Belt testing in late October as head examiner, and was joined by senior instructor Mr James Lawson, and A.I.M.A.A Ireland technical director Master Michael Fitzgerald. To view all our students profiles and promotions, please Click Here.....

A.I.M.A.A SCOTLAND HAS NEW WORLD CHAMPIONS !

Master Kirkwood and his squad from A.I.M.A.A Scotland HQ, just returned from the WUMA World Cup Championships in England with a massive haul of 11 World Titles, 5 Silver and 3 Bronze. The squad aged between 5 yrs old to 52 yrs did a fantastic job and we are all proud of their achievements.  

To read more on the event and how the squad got on then Click Here....

A.I.M.A.A Instructor Monika Markowska is the first women to take the WAKO Full Contact World title for Great Britain!

Monika who teaches and lives In Jersey, has trained like a warrior all year and has also taken titles at the Irish Open, ISKA European Championships and the WAKO British Championships!  Her training regime is very hardcore and she has been also travelling to England and Ireland on a regular basis to train with the best coaches to up her game in the martial arts circuit. 

As a fantastic ambassador for A.I.M.A.A and Great Britain.  We are looking for everyone to log onto the following site, and nominate Monika for the "Sports Personality of the Year" in Jersey. We need your votes urgently as we are running out of time!!

NOMINATE MONIKA TODAY BY CLICKING HERE!

Please click on the Nominate section at the bottom of the page. Thank You

GRANDMASTER HEE IL CHO EUROPEAN TRIP REPORT

Grandmaster Hee Il Cho arrived into Europe for a 3 day explosive tour of Ireland and Scotland. The tour kicked off with the International Black Belt testing in Ireland, followed by a mind blowing seminar with the living legend at the National Basket Ball arena, Dublin.  Grandmaster Cho then flew to Scotland to hold the 2nd consecutive seminar that was just as impressive. 

To read more on this phenomenal visit and view our extensive gallery, then please Click Here....

A.I.M.A.A STUDENT EXCELS OF THE ICE!

East Kilbride Ice Figure Skating Club (EKIFSC) member, Rachel McLaughlin, an AIMAA Scotland Student training under Master Kirkwood, has had a great year competing in 2011.  Rachel started the 2011 season at the Magnum Open in March and placed 3rd competing in the Ladies Level 1 category. Shortly after, she entered the Kyle Open and narrowly missed out on a place having lost valuable points after slipping toward the end of her routine.

Overall, the club came back over the border with nine medals including four 1st’s and five 2nd’s.  After a successful 2011, Rachel will be training very hard through the winter toward stepping up again in 2012.

Rachel's Podiums 

2nd     Ayr Open 2009                    Beginner Ladies (7&Under)

3rd       Magnum Open 2011   Level 1 (11 & Under)

SUCCESS AT THE GTF SCOTTISH CHAMPIONSHIPS!

Members of the National squad headed to the "Global Taekwondo Federation" Scottish Championships in Glasgow, recently and took a haul of 14 Scottish titles, 4 Silver and 4 Bronze to add to their massive collection from this years competition circuits!  The event covered continuous sparring, patterns, technical destruction and power destruction.  The squad members where: Kirsty Gough, Kara Gough, Mark Russell, Joe Steel, Rachel Miller, Shannon Desmond, Connor Desmond and Barry McLeod. A full listing of all winners in this month newsletter!

To view the GTF Scottish Championships Gallery Click Here....

STUDENTS ATTEND SELF DEFENCE SEMINAR AT HQ

A.I.M.A.A Scotland members joined Master Kirkwood at the Pressure Point seminar conducted by International Instructor Mr James Lawson 5th Degree.  Mr Lawson has phenomenal knowledge in this type of self defence and all those who attended this 2 hour seminar had a fantastic time. Mr Lawson took everyone through various techniques covering the head, torso, legs, arms and the occasional throw!  This is the second seminar hosted by Mr Lawson and we plan another one next year at A.I.M.A.A Scotland HQ.    

To view the seminar gallery Click Here....

A.I.M.A.A SCOTLAND BLACK BELT TESTING

At this years 2011 Black Belt testing Master Kirkwood had his friend and colleague in A.I.M.A.A, Master Michael Fitzgerald join him on the testing panel, along with A.I.M.A.A Scotland International Instructor, Mr James Lawson. The testing was over 3 hours with students pushed to their limit! Everyone now eagerly awaits for their results from Master Kirkwood, who will confirm all results to all candidates in 2 weeks time. Well done to everyone who took part in the testing!

To view the 2011 candidates and read their thesis, please Click Here

To view the A.I.M.A.A Scotland Black Belt Gallery Click Here

MASTER MICHAEL FITZGERALD VISITS A.I.M.A.A SCOTLAND HQ

Students from A.I.M.A.A Scotland HQ attended a 2 hour class under the direction of A.I.M.A.A Ireland Technical Director, Master Michael Fitzgerald in Blantyre, on Saturday the 29th October 2011.  The class covered one-step, self defence, throws, locks and take downs, as well as some very interesting stretching techniques!  All those who attended had a fantastic morning at A.I.M.A.A Scotland HQ, and everyone cannot thank Master Kirkwood for arranging this class with Master Fitzgerald!  We now all look forward to the A.I.M.A.A Master Camp in 2012, when we will once again get to train with this outstanding A.I.M.A.A Master. 

To view the Master Fitzgerald Seminar Click Here

A.I.M.A.A SCOTLAND HQ HALLOWEEN FUN NIGHT!!

Our annual Halloween night took place at A.I.M.A.A Scotland HQ on Friday the 29th October! and boy did everyone have lots of fun!!  Each year our schools raise funds to help our students and hold events and this year we splashed out on a large party for the students with lots of food, drinks, sweets and of course prizes for the best dressed in all classes!

We would like to thank everyone for helping with the fund raising, as we spent over £140 on this years Halloween party for the children, who really appreciated it!  All the children played various fun games with Master Kirkwood and his team of helpers, as well as the senior children got to dress up some of the adults as mummies!!  A huge thank you to all those who helped with the fun night and also helped with the clean up at the end!!

To view the A.I.M.A.A Scotland Halloween Gallery Click Here

A.I.M.A.A Scotland was proud to host the annual "A.I.M.A.A Scotland Junior Championships" on Sunday the 23rd October at A.I.M.A.A Scotland HQ, Blantyre.  This event attracted many students from Chos' TKD schools in Blantyre, Lochend, Motherwell, Lesmahagow as well as students from the AIMAA Panther schools under Mrs Gough.

To read all about our new champions then Click Here.....

MASTER KIRKWOOD TEACHES IN NEW MEXICO, USA

Just under 100 students and Instructors turned out to train with A.I.M.A.A Scotland Director, Master John Kirkwood in New Mexico this week, and nobody was disappointed in the 2 hour seminar covering point sparring and drills!  The seminar was hosted by Mr & Mrs Farrell who run A.I.M.A.A New Mexico. Mr & Mrs Courpe and students from Phoenix Arizona also attended as did A.I.M.A.A newest Instructor Mr Campos who teaches in Springer, New Mexico.

During the visit to New Mexico, Master Kirkwood also taught many classes at Mr & Mrs Farrell's full time dojang all week. Students and parents were delighted to have the opportunity to train with Master Kirkwood. We will bring you a New Mexico Seminar Gallery in the next few days!

NEW CHO TKD SCHOOL OPENS IN EAST KILBRIDE!

Mr David McCaig who is a 2nd Degree Black Belt opened up his latest school in East Kilbride giving the people within the town a wider scope to train within AIMAA. 

Mr David McCaig is a senior Instructor under Master Kirkwood and has trained with his Instructor for over 11 years now!  For more information Click Here....

The A.I.M.A.A World family in New Mexico have now launched a new website and we are most pleased to highlight it here on A.I.M.A.A Scotland.  Mr & Mrs Farrell are head Instructors in their full time dojang in New Mexico spreading Cho's TKD throughout the region.  Please click the photo above to visit their new website.

All students who wish to train within this intense class, then please contact Master or Mrs Kirkwood to book your place.

All classes are now held in Motherwell at the Ravenscraig regional sports centre.  All those competing this year at National and International level, must attend these classes to be part of the National Squad. 

Email   to register or give your name in class, when you next visit A.I.M.A.A Scotland HQ.

SELF DEFENCE SEMINAR 13TH NOVEMBER, 2011

NOW SOLD OUT!!

Sorry if you missed out on this event, but all tickets where sold on a first come -first served basis.  We look forward to seeing everyone there for another fantastic seminar from our very own Mr James Lawson.

FINALITY JACK TO ROCK AT THE 02' ARENA

Our very own Miss Tammy Sutherland (pictured at the back) will be playing at the 02 Arena main stage on the 3rd September. Tammy who is the bass player in this up coming band is also a 2nd Degree Black Belt within A.I.M.A.A, and is taught by Master Kirkwood. Tickets for this awesome gig are £10 and can be bought directly from Tammy or Mrs Sutherland in class.  Everyone is looking forward to seeing the band and Tammy in action soon, especially Master & Mrs Kirkwood!

EUROPEAN SUMMER CAMP 2011

The A.I.M.A.A European camp kicked off on Friday the 22nd of July, on the sunshine island of Jersey. A.I.M.A.A European Director Master John Darcy and A.I.M.A.A Masters officially opened the camp with welcoming speeches to all attendees.  The training camp attracted over 90 attendees from Scotland, Ireland, England, South Africa, Jersey, Poland and many more countries. A vast array of schedule classes and seminars covering the A.I.M.A.A. Curriculum, self defence, kick boxing, boxing, point sparring, kicking, patterns and one-step was there for all to participate in. Mr Robert Fernandes, who was hosting the camp had also arranged a specialised class in Jujitsu for advanced students on the Friday evening.  To read a small report and view our extensive gallery Click Here

NEXT TESTING INFORMATION

BLACK BELT PRE-TESTING DATES 2011

(all candidates must attend pre-testing dates below)

7th August - 18th September (possible 4th date in October)

Master Kirkwood and some students undertook another hill climb last week in the North of Scotland and hiked to the top of Ben Lomond.  This 3,300 foot mountain is not an easy climb, and a very popular Munro to climb. The group descended the north west face, making it a more difficult decent!  The group will be undertaking their next hill climb on the 26th June and this one is ideal for the whole family! If interested attending, please speak to Master Kirkwood.  Please Click Here to view some photographs.

TEAM SCOTLAND WIN AT THE TAI CHAMPIONSHIPS

The National Squad of nine headed by Master Kirkwood returned to Scotland with a 21 medal haul, after a victorious weekend at the TAI National Taekwondo Championships in Dublin.  The squad won in patterns, cont-sparring, point-sparring, tag team sparring and team patterns!  Team Scotland won 12 National Titles, along with 6 silver and 3 bronze!  To read the full report of this fantastic International event in Dublin, then Click Here......

A.I.M.A.A Masters, Instructors and students head to the island of Jersey on the 21st of July for the European summer camp.

The week kicks off with the International Black Belt testing which will be headed by Master John Darcy, Master Peter Byrne, Master Kirkwood and Master Fitzgerald.  The camp will combine seminars with A.I.M.A.A Masters and International Instructors covering a whole host of A.I.M.A.A topics, such as Self defence, curriculum, sparring, training techniques, one-step and much more!  The host of the summer camp is A.I.M.A.A Instructor: Mr Robert Fernandes, who hosted one in 2009. Mr Fernandes promises that all attendees will have an exceptional week in Jersey, a combination of exceptional training and sunshine.  Its still not to late to book your place and all enquires should be sent to Mr Fernandes directly.  A.I.M.A.A Scotland looks forward to bringing you an exclusive report on the camp and all its activities in July, so watch this space........

BEN ARTHUR ALP HILL CLIMB - MAY 22ND 2011

Master Kirkwood and students from his A.I.M.A.A schools undertook a gruelling 5 and half hour hill climb to the summit of Ben Arthur at Arrochar.  Master Kirkwood was also joined by colleagues from William Grants, where he works.  The group met at 8.30am and headed up to Loch Lomond, and then to Arrochar.  The hill climb kicked off at 10.30am when everyone headed to the summit of the mountain in very bad conditions, which consisted of heavy rain, howling winds and hail stones!  The group of about 30 endured battering winds to reach the summit where they took a rest before descending the mountain.  The group had planned a barbeque once reaching base camp, but due to the adverse weather had to cancel this.  

Master Kirkwood would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who undertook this climb, and for the exceptional perseverance shown by everyone in enduring the conditions we met on the alp!  Photographs and video has now been uploaded onto our A.I.M.A.A Scotland FaceBook site.

To view these Click Here.....aimaascotland@groups.facebook.com

On Sunday the 1st of May, within the fantastic Ravenscraig regional sporting facility the A.I.M.A.A National Championships was hosted by Master & Mrs Kirkwood with over 300 competitors and spectators in attendance! Master & Mrs Kirkwood are very proud of their own students who took over 50+ trophies at the event, with over 20 of these being National Titles.  To read more on this fantastic event, please click on the link below.

To view our 2011 A.I.M.A.A Scotland National Champions and runner ups Click Here

To view our extensive A.I.M.A.A National Gallery Click Here

To view all our latest videos visit the A.I.M.A.A Scotland YouTube site by Clicking Here  All the latest videos from the Nationals will be uploaded soon!

Young Nickolas McInally who trains at Cho's TKD Motherwell with his instructor Master Kirkwood, also has a passion for life in the fast lane! In 2010 Nickolas won the "Knockhill Cadet Karting Championships", after beating the opposition in 2010 to be crowned "King of the track".

The Knockhill Cadet Championships attracts enthusiastic youngsters from all over Scotland who take part in a year long circuit competitions, which involves racing each other each month to gain those all important points, by bringing in the fastest lap time.  Nickolas keeps fit by training with Master Kirkwood, which helps his in his gruelling training on the circuit and gives him the focus required for this type of sport.

Nickolas has worked very hard to maintain high standards on the track and through his hard work and outstanding performance was crowned champion 2010!  He is now working hard and in constant training to defend his tile in 2011.  We wish him every success and look forward to hearing how he got at the end of the season in 2011.

MASTER KIRKWOOD TEACHES IN PITTSBURGH, USA

Master Kirkwood has had the honour to teach at Grandmaster Philip Ameris's full time Dojang, in Pittsburgh this month. Master Kirkwood who is visiting his friend with his wife, has been teaching in the A.I.M.A.A Dojang run by Grandmaster & Mrs Ameris.  Students undertook the children and adult class under the direction of the A.I.M.A.A Scotland Director, which combined sparring and technical Taekwondo drills. Students also undertook a hard core squad session under Master Kirkwood, which was attended by many. 

Meet our Star on Ice!

Miss Rachel McLaughlin who trains with her father under Master Kirkwood, is no stranger to hard work and dedication, and this is shown in her Taekwondo training and her other sport, which is figure skating. 

Miss McLaughlin excels in figure skating winning many championships!

To read this extraordinary students achievements on the ice Click Here....

MASTER DARCY TEACHES AT A.I.M.A.A SCOTLAND HQ

A.I.M.A.A Scotland students who train at Blantyre where treated to a training session under the direction of our European Director Master John Darcy! Although quickly arranged, the class was full to capacity and the students had a fast, furious 1 hour session of traditional Taekwondo.  The class was high impact training with students booming "Taekwondo" through the entire hall and centre! 

Students were in awe of Master Darcy and his abilities as he took them through each move, breaking it down, explaining its technique and power.  A phenomenal Class with a Phenomenal Master! Master Kirkwood would like to thank Master Darcy for honouring his school and students with this impromptu training session.  To view the class gallery Click Here....

MASTER DARCY IN ACTION AT AIMAA SCOTLAND HQ

A.I.M.A.A SCOTLAND STUDENT AWARDS 2010

Each year Master Kirkwood, Mr Kirkwood and Mrs Gough host the annual student awards for all those who have excelled in 2010!  Master John Darcy A.I.M.A.A European Director was in attendance as was the head of the GTF Scotland, Mr Allan Cunningham, accompanied by his wife and head Instructors within the GTF association. This years awards was slightly different in that we did not host our annual demonstration show, but put on a film presentation of A.I.M.A.A and A.I.M.A.A Scotland. The film was exceptional and finished with our president and founder Grandmaster Hee Il Cho in action!

To read more and view the winners and gallery Click Here.... 

A.I.M.A.A SCOTLAND HQ - PANTHER TESTING

Mrs Cecilia Gough held the 1st Panther testing at A.I.M.A.A Scotland HQ on the 6th February.  Sixteen panthers ranging from 3 yrs to 5 yrs tested in front of Master Kirkwood, and undertook a fantastic testing, showing the skills of focus, coordination and team work. The panthers undertook line work, patterns and some of the A.I.M.A.A Curriculum to achieve their next grade!  Senior Panthers are now ready to graduate into Master Kirkwood's school, where they will be a major asset.  To read more and view more photographs, Click Here.....

A.I.M.A.A NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS  12th FEB 2011

A.I.M.A.A Ireland hosts the A.I.M.A.A National Championships on Saturday 12th of February in Dublin.  This is an excellent event covering point sparring, continuous sparring and destruction.  If any student wishes to attend this fantastic event then please speak to you Instructor. 

There is s a entry deadline date of the 7th February and all entries and fees must be with A.I.M.A.A Ireland by this time.  Division listing can be obtained from your Instructor.

more news coming soon!!.....................