LEINSTER OPEN CHAMPIONSHIPS

Master  Kirkwood and some of his National Squad flew into Dublin on the 1st of February for a 1 day visit to compete in the Leinster Open, being held in the Navan School of Cho's Tae Kwon Do. This first competition event of 2009 was organised and excellently executed by Mr Gerry Long and Mr James Farrell. Both A.I.M.A.A Instructors did an excellent job in running the event, which attracted over 150 competitors from all over Ireland.

Master Darcy was also in attendance on the day and had over 17 of his own students competing, many of them winning Gold. Both Masters mingled with the massive crowd in the school, and also presented medals to the winners on the mats.

A.I.M.A.A Scotland Instructors Mr John Kirkwood and Mrs Cecilia Gough, attended the event with fellow students Kirsty Gough, Kara Gough and Tammy Sutherland. With only 5 fighters from Scotland in attendance within a massive 150 competitors, they did their Master, School and Country proud, with winning medals in their divisions

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The competition was a full day of continuous sparring only, no patterns or other categories were on the agenda. Our first fighter on the mats was young Kara Gough a 1st Degree Black Belt who trains 6 nights a week with Master Kirkwood.  Kara had two fights and won both, taking the Gold and the title.  Next up was Miss Tammy Sutherland another 1st Degree Black Belt. Miss Sutherland has had previous competition experience, but mostly in point sparring, however she held her own within a hard division and won Bronze.

As the junior divisions came to a close we found ourselves heading for the 16+ divisions and adults. Our next student on the floor was Miss Kirsty Gough, who fought extremely well and took Gold and the Title.  In the adult divisions we had Mrs Cecilia Gough up and Mr John Kirkwood.  Mrs Gough had a big division and two hard fights! She held her own up against girls half her age and won the Bronze medal. 

Mr John Kirkwood took to the floor in his weight division.  Although nervous, and with all eyes fixed upon him, he was awesome in technique, skill and speed and won both fights. The whole event came to a standstill as he fought and won both fights. It was Master Darcy who awarded him with his Gold medal and the Title, with a proud Master Kirkwood and Mrs Kirkwood looking on.

The day of competition saw great fights from Sean O'Donnell, Paul Healy, Ashling Ryan, Daniel Farrell to name a few, all AIMAA Ireland students and Instructors who took part in the event should be very proud of themselves.  From young competitors to old the day was fantastic and the atmosphere electric! 

Master Kirkwood and Mrs Kirkwood would like to thank all of A.I.M.A.A Ireland Instructors and students for a fantastic day. Ireland has become a home from home for Master Kirkwood and Mrs Kirkwood and their students, who love going over for events and supporting their friends in Ireland. 

Master Kirkwood is now preparing his National Squad for a trip in March, when they attend two events back to back. Firstly is Master Kirkwood's seminar in Dublin, this seminar is for Master Patrick White of the TAI Association. Also the squad will be attending the A.I.M.A.A Ireland Traditional Championships, which is hosted by Master Darcy. Both events run on the 21st March (Seminar) and 22nd (Traditional Championships).

After this the squad will be attending the TAI Taekwondo Championships, which is over a 2 day period in June.

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