International Championships, NIAC, Cardiff - 15th May 2010
The students and Instructors of the Bridgend Martial Arts Academy once again attended and supported the International Tang Soo Do Championships hosted by Master John Trudgill and the Instructors of the Traditional Tang Soo Do Federation. Every year the event grows in numbers and matures in its presence and is always the first date on our annual calendar, 2010 was no exception!
Preparations for this years tournament were not as focussed as most years as our recent inclusion into Grandmaster Giacobbe's Intercontinental Tang Soo Do Organization meant that our primary focus in 2010 was to adapt and change our Gup and Dan syllabus's over to the ITO requirements. This has been a mammoth task which all the students at our Academy have shown true Tang Soo Do spirit and attitude towards learning and supporting our new goals and objectives. Thank you to you all for your continued support.
Nevertheless, 7 students attended the TTF Tiger's Tournament in March and a further 17 students participated in the "main event" on Saturday 15th May. Thank you to those who supported Master Trudgill's event along with all the families and friends who also attended to support our students and the club. The event commenced with many important presentations and speeches followed by the Gup competition. A total of 15 rings were in operation which allowed the competition to run smoothly and keep within time. The Dan divisions and Grand Champion events concluded the tournament late in the afternoon. As for our performances, totally exceeded our expectations considering the lack of preparation and practise in the previous weeks!!
Over 25 medals were attained by the Bridgend students with some exceptional performances along the way, and without singling out individuals, as the team performance is far more important, Aled Hopkins (2nd Dan) only missed out on the Junior Grand Champion trophy by 2.5 points, after winning 2 Golds and 2 Bronzes in the 4 events he entered......well done Aled!!
Overall the results and performances were a fitting tribute to the hard work that everyone associated with the club has put in over the first half of this year, but most importantly we supported and contributed to the overall success of the Championships which once again provided excellent opportunities for Tang Soo Do families to come together under one roof, make new friends, share experiences and learn from one another.....congratulations to Master Trudgill and the TTF for another superb Tang Soo Do event!!
Seminar & Dan Testing - 13th May 2010
Grandmaster Giacobbe arrived in the UK on Thursday 13th May 2010 in order to attend the Traditional Tang Soo Do Federation International Championships held once again in NIAC, Cardiff on Saturday 15th May.
During his visit to Wales, Grandmaster Giacobbe conducted a seminar and a Dan Testing with the Gup and Dan students of the Bridgend Martial Arts Academy. The seminar was non-stop and covered many key areas of our traditional techniques, hyung, one step sparring and Grandmaster Giacobbe taught a traditional hyung that he learnt in Korea to all the students, namely Jin Teh. The seminar was an excellent success and the feedback from the students was extremely positive.
Immediately after the seminar, Grandmaster Giacobbe, Master Vivian Thomas and Master Sian Thomas conducted a Dan Testing for 12 1st and 2nd Dan students who where required to carry our re-evaluation tests and pre-tests. The students demonstrated an excellent standard of technique along with a very positive mental attitude and humble approach to learn more during the test. All 12 students were successful in their testing and continue their Tang Soo Do journey within the ITO and the Bridgend Martial Arts Academy.
Congratulations to all the students who participated in the seminar and to those who tested also.
Grand Master Dominick Giacobbe Seminars
Intercontinental Tang Soo Do Organization President and 8th Degree Black Belt Grand Master Giacobbe has been conducting a series of seminars organised and hosted by Master John Trudgill of the Traditional Tang Soo Do Federation. GM Giacobbe has been a leading figure worldwide in Tang Soo Do and started his training in 1968 under guidance from some of the most respected and top Korean masters in the world, namely Grandmaster J.C.Shin, Honourable Grandmaster Hwang Kee's son Grandmaster Hwang and ITF President & Founder Grandmaster Chun Sik Kim.
Grand Master Giacobbe has been focusing on traditional Hyung applications and drills to improve the potential weak spots in our hyungs and over the three day period, 150 Masters, Black Belts and Gup members have benefitted from Grand Master Giacobbe's vast knowledge and experience.
Members from the Bridgend Martial Arts Academy received an invitation from Master Trudgill and we would like to thank him and the TTF for staging this excellent event and allowing us to be part of the these seminars.
Grand Master Giacobbe also presented special awards to Master John Trudgill and Master Vivian Thomas for their outstanding contribution and efforts in spreading and the art of Tang Soo Do.
New Class Opened on 24th February 2010
Master Sian Thomas opens a new class at West Ward Community Centre in Cefn Glas on 24th February, between 6:30 ~ 7:30pm.
Thank you to all the students who have supported our local leaflet drops and these will continue into the near future, especially in the Cefn Glas area of Bridgend......please keep spreading the word about this new class!!
Telephone 07725 443776 for further details
Promotions & Awards
Congratulations to Michael Howells, Joshua Howells, Shaun Roberts, Aled Hopkins & James Davies who successfully passed their 2nd Dan Examinations in the Autumn of 2009 and were presented with their Certificates in December. Their outstanding effort and continuous hard work has seen these students mature technically and spiritually and I would like to wish them even more future success in their Tang Soo Do career. Well done to you all.
Congratulations to Jakob Waterhouse who in the summer of 2009 successfully completed his Cho Dan Grading with an exceptional performance on the day of his test which complimented the efforts he has made over the past few years. Well Done!
Four of our Dan grades also attended and successfully attained their "Assistant Instructors" teaching award conducted by Master John Trudgill in Treorchy over an 8 week period, congratulations to Tomos Hopkins, James Morris, Shaun Roberts & Jason Roberts for achieving the rank of Assistant Instructor. Many thanks to Master John Trudgill and the Traditional Tang Soo Do Federation for conducting this exceptionally beneficial course that has already provided many improvements within the class environment.
