The last of our Cho's Inter-club Championships took place at Blantyre Sports centre on Sunday the 18th of October, 2009. This event is run twice a year and is aimed at letting the non-experienced student gain experience within the competition circuit.

This year we had the exciting addition of a "Panthers" division. Mrs Gough's "little Panthers" attend the event, which was wonderful for everyone to watch. These little 3 year olds are exceptional and due to the excellent teaching from Mrs Gough and her staff of assistants have managed to compete in their first ever event! Well done to them all.

The competition started off with our pattern division and sparring divisions for Black Belts.  We had some excellent Instructors and students perform their patterns and some highly entertaining sparring within both divisions.  One of the finals saw brothers John Kirkwood Jnr and Ryan Kirkwood fight for the point sparring title, although Ryan managed plenty of scoring against his eldest brother, he was beaten in the last remaining seconds with some excellent techniques executed by his brother John.

One of our older and more experienced Instructors Mr Alex Walker, just got piped to the post for a placing, but showed great determination and some excellent techniques against Mr John Kirkwood. Mr Walker shows the true perseverance of a martial artist when on the floor, and many of the young students should take stock of what he brings to an event.

From the adult black belt divisions we quickly moved onto the junior patterns, working our way up the belt structure. Our first division was the little panther patterns, followed by our lower grades up to 16 yrs olds! The determination and performance of all those participating was clear to be seen, as we saw many smiling happy faces, as they competed and won in their divisions. 

One of the junior students from Master Kirkwood school who impressed many of his fellow students, was young Kyle Graham, who competed in his first ever event. Kyle is semi-paralysed in one arm and it was an outstanding feat for this young athlete to compete in this event. Kyle's dad, who is a Snr Instructor with Master Kirkwood has been helping his son by giving him additional coaching and sparring at home to build up his confidence and muscles. It certainly paid off, as Kyle worked his way through a very large division to take 3rd place in the sparring!

All those who were under 16 yrs, who had been unsuccessful this time where awarded a participation medal in patterns and sparring. This small reward is for the effort, determination and sheer courage in taking part in an event, as it can be very daunting.

This year we added two different divisions to spice things up! The new divisions implemented for a trail run was self defence and the high kick! Both events ran well, and where a hit with young and old.  In fact our event closed with everyone gathered around watching the many younger and senior competitors undertaking the high kick division.  The rules for this was simple, it boiled down to the last man standing and being able to kick the receding pad as it reached an unbelievable height!

Our adult divisions saw female students and adult males compete for the first time, which was great to watch! Lots of our students compete took this opportunity to compete in a local event and enjoyed their day in Blantyre.  Mr Kirkwood Jnr, had quite a trophy hall from his students in Lesmahagow, most which had not competed before. In all the event, like most run at A.I.M.A.A Scotland Headquarters was a resounding success. We look forward to a full calendar of A.I.M.A.A events in 2010, in Scotland and Ireland, as well as attending the many events we have been invited to next year!

Master Kirkwood would like to thank his family, Mrs Gough and the girls, as well as Mr McLear and Mr Walker for coming down early to set up. A big thank you to all his Instructors and students for helping out on the day, and for supporting the event, especially those who undertook scoring and time keeping duties.

We would also like to thank the students and parents for their support and for another exciting competition, a big thank you for giving up your valuable Sunday to support your children and family members.  The day was a huge success, with many students going home with trophies. it was great to see so many smiling faces, and no injuries, except a few bruises.

In all the event was a success, even though it was held at the end of the October week, which had effected the numbers attending. Mr & Mrs Belgacem had a small team of 3 competing from the Larkhall school, who did well, as did Mr Mc Lear students from Bellshill. Mr Kirkwood Jnr had 6 students competing in their first ever event, and most won Gold! The majority came from Master Kirkwood's school in Blantyre, and we thank every one of them for their continued support of A.I.M.A.A events and of Master Kirkwood.

TO VIEW OUR CHO'S TKD INTER CLUB GALLERY CLICK HERE