Master Kirkwood who is the head of A.I.M.A.A Scotland flew into  Dublin on the 19th of April with his National Squad of students, to participate in Master Darcy's competition. The event was a Traditional one incorporating Individual Patterns, Team Patterns and One-Step Teams.

The squad of thirteen students from Cho's Taekwondo Club in Blantyre consisted of instructors Mr John Kirkwood Jnr and Mr Kevin Mc Lear. Senior students and Black Belts Cecila Gough, Kirsty Gough, Kara Gough, Billy Reid, Jack Reid, Eddie Kerr, Adam Kerr, Jack Denholm, Mark Russell, Jonathan Brown and Ashley Wilmot. The squad trains every week with Master Kirkwood in normal classes as well as undertaking 4 hours additional squad/competition training each week.

The competition was excellent with over 200+ competitors in attendance. The first students on the floor was Instructor Mr John Kirkwood Jnr and Instructor Mr Kevin Mc Lear who participated in the 1st to 2nd Degree Black Belt patterns division. The divisions were big and the competition fierce. Instructor John Kirkwood Jnr performed "Moon Moo" with excellent precision and was awarded Gold.  Mr Mc Lear who performed well was unfortunate in this division and was not placed this time.

The next division on the floor was junior individual patterns. Students went head to head with many from A.I.M.A.A Ireland competitors. Divisions were broken down by age and belt group. Both Kirsty Gough (Black Belt) and Ashley Wilmot (Purple Belt) took Gold in their divisions as did Mr Eddie Kerr in the adults Blue Belt division. Students who took Silver within their individual patterns where Jonathan Brown, Kara Gough and Jack Denhlom. Bronze winners were Jack Reid and Cecila Gough. One of Master Kirkwood's students, young Adam Kerr was exceptional as he managed to be placed 4th out of 21 competitors within his individual division.

As the event was spread over five areas the one-step teams started to perform on their area, while competitors still competed within the pattern division on the other matted areas. The one-step teams who were successful in their divisions were; Jack Reid and Jonathan Brown who took Gold in the Black Belt section. Jack Denholm and Adam Kerr also took Gold in the Purple belt division.

Other one-step teams who took part achieved medals status were: Jack Reid and Kara Gough who took Silver and Kirsty Gough and Mark Russell who took Bronze in the Black belt division for over 14 yrs old.

Team Patterns was next up, this division was 3 man teams showing their synchronisation, coordination, balance and power in their teams. Master Kirkwood watched from the sideline as Kirsty Gough, Mark Russell and Jonathan brown took Gold for A.I.M.A.A Scotland, however there was a further surprise as Kirsty Gough, Kara Gough and Jack Reid also took Gold with their pattern. Both teams were excellent and the standard of the competition that they were up against was hard. The Senior team (Cecila Gough, Eddie Kerr and Billy Reid) took to the floor and did extremely well and clinched the Silver in this division.

The squad had to leave the competition early due to flight departures home and our Adult Black Belts did not get a chance to perform their one-step or team patterns. As did the adult colour belts who missed out on their one-step divisions. However there is always the next time.

Members of Cho's TKD Hamilton were in attendance under the guidance of their Instructors Mr Karim Belgacem and Miss Tracey Shaw. Both Instructors attended the event with students Alannah Martin and Tammy Sutherland. Miss Shaw and Mr Belgacem took part in the 3rd Degree upwards individual pattern divisions. Miss Shaw performed and excellent pattern and took Gold in her division. Mr Belgacem was up against some strong competitors and was unfortunate to be placed within his division this time.

The junior students from Mr BeLgacem's school achieved medal status with Alannah achieving Silver in the Black Belt patterns and Tammy achieving Bronze in her division.

The event was excellent and as usual we met up with many friends and Instructors from A.I.M.A.A Ireland. We look forward to the next event which is the Nationals in Dublin on the 27th and 28th of September. 

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