Master Kirkwood flew into  Dublin on the 20th of March with the A.I.M.A.A Scotland National Squad, to participate in Master Darcy's National Traditional Championships. The Traditional Championships held in Dublin each year is a main highlight within the A.I.M.A.A calendar, as it incorporates Individual Patterns, Team Patterns and One-Step Teams.

The AIMAA Scotland squad had a fantastic weekend, as they had attended Master Kirkwood's seminar the day before, and were all geared up for a day of competition. The squad members train with Master Kirkwood in normal classes during the week in Blantyre, as well as undertaking 4 hours additional squad/fight club training each week.

The competition was excellent with over 200+ competitors in attendance. The atmosphere was fantastic and the show of sportsmanship was second to none!

The first student on the floor was Assistant Instructor Miss Lisa Aitken, who was up against some fierce competition in the ladies 1st to 2nd degree Black Belt pattern division. Lisa did extremely well since this was her first time at the Traditional Championships, she executed her pattern extremely well and won Silver in this division. 

Next on the floor was Mr John Kirkwood who participated in the 3rd degree above Black Belt patterns division. The division was big with fantastic competition from Mr Andrew Butler, Mr Paul Healy, Mr Farrell, Mr Long and Mr Power, to name a few, however Instructor John Kirkwood performed "Moon Moo" with excellent precision and was awarded the Gold. 

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. Kirsty Gough Mark Russell and Jack Reid took Gold in their Black belt divisions. The divisions had been spread over 5 areas, sometimes ending up with A.I.M.A.A Scotland students on different areas at the same time. The A.I.M.A.A Squad also took Silver in patterns, when young students Kara Gough and Rachel Miller won in their divisions.  Mr Billy Reid also took Silver in the men's Red Belt division.

The one-step team events saw Kirsty and Mark take Gold in the 14 to 17yr old Black Belt division, as did Kara and Jack in their 11 to 13 yr old division. In all the competition was a huge success and everyone from the squad done an exceptional job and won. For a full list of who won what please see below.

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