The Kingdom Schools of Taekwon-Do recently attended the ITA Cork Open 2010, on Sunday 21st February, in Little Island Sports Center, Cork. 21 members had entered from the schools but due to adverse weather conditions on the morning four were unable to attend. Mr O’Mahoney and Mr Power were officiating for the day as Umpires, and Ms Sorcha Kelly looked after the group for the day.
Those who attended did very well and did themselves and the schools proud. Even though some didn’t place at the event they gained some very valuable experience for the future.
The medal tally was as follows: Sparring Male, 59 - 63 kg, Black / Belt 2nd Sinclair Kingston
Sparring Male, 53 - 58 kg, Blue / Red 3rd Tom Trench
Sparring Male, Over 70 kg, Yellow / Green 2nd Beniamin Grabczak
Sparring Female, 11 -13 yrs + 155 Cm, Blue / Black 1st Naomi O'Brien
Sparring Male, Under 10 136-145 , Blue / Red 2nd Jerry O'Connor
Sparring Female, Under 10 136-145 Cm, Yellow / Green 3rd Tara McGinty
Sparring Male, Under 10 136-145 Cm, Yellow / Green 3rd Samuel BrzyskiewicK
Sparring Male, Under 10 - 125 Cm, Yellow / Green 2nd Aaron Shine
Patterns Female, 11 - 13 Yrs, Blue Belt 3rd Naomi O'Brien

Those who also did very well were: Roksana Jaglowska, Lucas O’Mahoney, Dawid Kapkowski, Anna Hooke, Chloe Scannell, Dylan Quinn, Mateusz Tyrkiel, Jack Barrett Rowan and Kate Mulgrew. The schools came joint 8th place overall with 18 points out of 30 schools that attended. Mr O’Mahoney would like to thank all who entered and hope the next trip will be as successful

Photos up in gallery

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Taekwon-Do Summer Camp information click to download

ITA Summer Camp 2010 Application form click to download

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“The 49th ITF International Instructors Course, IIC, took place at the Torwar Sports facility, Warsaw Poland. Three board members of the Irish Taekwon-Do Association travelled to Poland to attend the IIC, they were Master Kenneth Wheatley (President), Mr Adrian O’Mahoney (Vice President) and Mr Mark Buckley. Mr Buckley also planned to take his sixth degree test whilst there. The IIC was conducted by the ITF Technical Committee whose members are; Grand Master Trajtenberg, 9th degree and Senior Vice President of the ITF, Grand Master Marano, 9th degree and Chairman of the Technical Committee and Master Bos, 8th degree and Secretary General of the ITF.
The course was officially opened by Grand Master Trajtenberg with the usual formalities. During his opening address Grand Master Trajtenberg spoke about the ITFs concerns for our President and friend, Grand Master Tran, who was at that time, still not accounted for after the tragic events which took place in Haiti. The Taekwon-Do students and masters who were assembled, were asked to keep up hope and to be positive for the safety of Grand Master Tran.
The first module of the IIC was conducted by Grand Master Trajtenberg who focused very strongly on the etiquette and protocol expected within the ITF. Having asked everyone to sit down Grand Master Trajtenberg requested Master Wheatley to assist with the explanations regarding how we bow, approach and retract, greet, toast and in general how we should conduct ourselves as students of the ITF. Master Wheatley later commented that it was a great honour for him to be perceived as having a level of etiquette and protocol worthy of inclusion at an IIC.
Despite the outside temperature being in the region of minus 18 to 20 degrees centigrade, Master Bos with his usual prowess, soon warmed up the participants with his dynamic and fun exercises and routines. Within minutes of commencing the module a great spirit of comradeship developed across the entire facility. The participants, regardless of rank, nationality or age, were working hard and smiling as they did so. The calibre of students and Masters attending was exceptional, with Master Hutton, from Scotland, Master Ellis & Nick Symonds, from England, as well as the home grown talent from Poland, Jaroslaw Suska and Joanna Lipa.
The Technical Committee were in top form and each of them covered in detail there section, from Self Defence to Applications of pattern movements to sparring movements, as well as stretching and conditioning. We were also looking forward to the International Testing as Mr Buckley had been training very hard for this. So on Sunday after the course finished the Testing began, and after a very physically demanding test and then Theory, the announcement was made that of the eight testing for 4th to 6th Degree, one member from Russia was unsuccessful. Mr Buckley was delighted with his new promotion to 6th Degree and was heartily congratulated by Masters Wheatley & Hutton as well as Mr O’Mahoney, who presented him with a new 6th Degree belt.
The IIC was very informative and a lot of clarifications were made on pattern movements and how we should be performing them.

NEW PHOTOS UP IN GALLERY

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The ITA had a group of 27 members attend the 48th IIC in Benidorm, Spain, from 25th to 27th September. We also had a large contingent putting themselves for promotion at the event. As always the ITF Technical Committee of GrandMaster Hector Marano 9th Degree, GrandMaster Pablo Trajtenberg 9th Degree and Master Willem Jacob Bos 8th Degree gave a marvellous course.

On Saturday evening at 5pm the promotional testing started, and after a very physical testing the ITA had 5 new 5th Degrees, 1 new 6th Degree and our first Master 7th Degree. Also in attendance were members of the INTA and the also had 2 members testing, 1 for 7th Degree and Master O’Toole for 8th Degree.
The new promotions from the ITA were Mr Adrian Byrne, Mr Kevin Kinsella, Mr Brian Coughlan, Mr Stephen Ryan and Mr Jaime Rigney all promoted to 5th Degree, Mr Stephen Cooley promoted to 6th Degree and Mr Kenneth Wheatley promoted to 7th Degree Master. From the INTA Mr Gerry Martin promoted to 7th Degree Master and Master Brendan O’Toole promoted to 8th Degree Master.
Mr Mark Hutton from Scotland and a long term friend of the ITA also was promoted to 7th Degree Master.

On behalf of the Instructors and students of the Kingdom Schools of Taekwon-Do we would like to congratulate all the newly promoted Instructors in particular Masters Wheatley and Hutton, the new Masters, Sahyun Nim Kye.Is Mise Le Meas,

Mr Adrian O’Mahoney 6th Degree
Chief Instructor
Kingdom Schools of Taekwon-Do

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IIC Miesbach Germany.

Three members of the ITA travelled to the IIC in May 24th - 26th 2009 in Miesbach Germany. Unfortunately due to a family illness Mr Mark Buckley V Degree was unable to attend. The other three members were, Mr Kenneth Wheatley VI, Mr Jaime Rigney IV and Mr Adrian O’Mahoney V, Mr O’Mahoney was to test at the Course for 6th Degree.
Mr O’Mahoney flew in from Cork to Munich on Thursday morning while Mr Wheatley and Mr Rigney flew from Dublin on Thursday evening. The hotel was the Best Western and it was very much in the style of the Region, Bavaria. The course started on Friday at 2pm, which gave all participants some free time to practise. From the hotel it was only a 5 to 10 minute walk to the sports hall.
The ITF Technical Committee, Master Bos VIII, GrandMasters Marano & Trajtenberg IX were in brilliant form for the weekend and as usual were very helpful and informative on the system of training and the Technicalities of the 24 Patterns.
Some old friends of the ITA were also at the Course and it was very good to catch up with them, as well as make some new friends.
On the Saturday evening Mr O’Mahoney and Mr John McKissock from Spain, (actually a Scotsman) tested for 6th Degree in front of Masters Paul Weiler & Master Willem Bos VIII and GrandMasters Pablo Trajtenberg & GrandMaster Hector Marano. In total 18 people tested from 3rd Degree to 8th Degree. After a very tough test both Mr O’Mahoney and Mr McKissock were successful and were promoted to 6th Degree, also 2 candidates were promoted to Master Level I from Germany and the other from Poland, and Master Harmat from Hungary to 8th degree.
All in the entire course was very good and the ITF were more than happy with the Irish contingent’s standard and level. So with the note book full of corrections and the want to improve the 3 members will pass on all the info onto the Association on the 31st of May. Roll on Benidorm in September for the IIC and the Mass testing from the IRISH. SLAN

Date Event Location
January 17th ITA AGM Horse & Jockey Inn, Thurles, Co. Tipperary
January 17th ITA Meal & Social Evening Horse & Jockey Inn, Thurles, Co. Tipperary
January 18th ITA Training Class Premier Hall, Thurles
January 31st/1st Introduction to Coaching TKD Stonehall National School, Shannon, Co.Clare
February 3rd TKD Tigers, Grading *KST Hall, Listowel
February 4th & 6th TKD Tigers, Grading *KST Hall, Tralee
February 8th National Umpire Course Ballyea,Co.Clare
February 21st/22nd Kerry LSP Sports First Aid Killarney Fire Station, Killarney
February 28th Kerry LSP COE Listowel Celtic Club, Listowel
March 1st KST Funday TBA
March 6th KST Coloured Belt Grading KST Hall, Tralee
March 7th KST Coloured Belt Grading KST Hall, Listowel
March 8th National Technical Seminar Ardfert, Co.Kerry
March 21st/22nd INTA Open National Basketball Arena, Dublin
April Mr Mark Hutton VI, Seminar TBA
April 18th/19th Umpire Course 1 1/2 Days Donabate, Dublin
April 19th 4th Dan & Higher Training &Exec Donabate, Dublin
April 24th/26th European Championships Benidorm,Spain
May 5th TKD Tigers, Grading *KST Hall, Listowel
May 6th/8th TKD Tigers, Grading *KST Hall, Tralee
May 9th/10th ITA Dublin Open/Irish Open Baldoyle Badminton Hall, Dublin
May 22nd - 24th IIC, Mr O'Mahoney 6th Dan Test Miesbach, Germany
May 31st 4th Dan & Higher Training &Exec Wexford
May 31st KST Funday TBA
June 7th ITA Black Belt Grading TBC
June 11th KST Coloured Belt Grading *KST Hall, Tarbert
June 13th KST Coloured Belt Grading *KST Hall, Listowel
June 13th KST Coloured Belt Grading *KST Hall, Ballybunion
June 14th KST Coloured Belt Grading *KST Hall, Tralee
June 26th-July 5th Polish Summer Camp Poland
July 4th/5th IMAC Level 1 Coaching Course UCD
July13th/18th ITA Summer Camp(&Kup Gradings Mountmellary Scout Hall, Waterford
& Umpire Course & Exec Meeting &
4th Dan & Higher Training)
August 8th/9th IMAC Level 1 Coaching Course UCD
August 29th/30th IMAC Level 2 Course
September 8th TKD Tigers, Grading *KST Hall, Listowel
September 9th/11th TKD Tigers, Grading *KST Hall,Tralee
September 12th KST Coloured Belt Grading *KST Hall, Listowel
September 13th KST Coloured Belt Grading *KST Hall,Tralee
September 13th Umpire Course Cork
September 27th ITA Midwest Championships UL Arena, Limerick
October 2nd/3rd/4th IIC, 5th/6th/7th ITA Dan Test Benidorm,Spain
October 9th/10th European Cup Poland
October 17th/18th IMAC Level 2 Course
November 7th/8th ITA Dublin Open Championships Venue TBC
November 14th/15th IMAC Level 2 Course
November 25th/29th ITF World Championships Argentina
November 29th Instructor & Assistant Instructor Class Midwest
December 5th National Technical Seminar Black Belt Venue
December 6th Black Belt Test
December 8th TKD Tigers, Grading *KST Hall,Listowel
December 9th/11th TKD Tigers, Grading *KST Hall,Tralee
December 10th KST Coloured Belt Grading *KST Hall, Tarbert
December 12th KST Coloured Belt Grading *KST Hall, Listowel
December 12th KST Coloured Belt Grading *KST Hall, Ballybunion
December 13th KST Coloured Belt Grading *KST Hall, Tralee
December 20th Christmas Tournament TBC

Thomas started training on December 21st 1998, in the Tralee School of Taekwon-Do, with Instructors Mr Mike Murphy 5th Degree and Mr Adrian O'Mahoney 5th Degree. He always enjoyed competitions and had relatively good success over the years. One of his biggest accomplishments was competing in the 2nd and 3rd ITF World Cups. Thomas was due to sit his black belt grading in December 2008 but due to a hand injury had to postpone until June 2009.
Thomas had been in college studying Hotel Management, and was very good at his job which any of his colleagues would testify to. He was a great help to Mr O'Mahoney, when Mr O'Mahoney went full time teaching Taekwon-Do as he was always available to help with new beginners and coloured belts alike as well as teaching classes.
He is survived by his girlfriend Catriona, His mom Marie, his dad Gerry and his sister Nicola and partner Denis and his nephew Cameron, as well as both his Nans and many relations & friends.

All his Taekwon-Do family were deeply shocked and saddened to hear of his tragic death on January 19th 2009. We will feel his loss for many years to come. May he rest in peace.

Mr Adrian O'Mahoney V
Chief Instructor
Kingdom Schools of Taekwon-Do