Tallinn, Estonia will play host to the 10th Junior & 5th Veteran ITF World Championship from the 20th – 26th of August, 2012. It will take place in the impressive Saku Arena.
Those interested in being selected should contact Mr Doyle. Squad training has already begun and the next trial will be at the ITF Ireland Cup in Cork on the 31st March.

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Dear Members,

As all of you know well, we reached the decision at the 21st ITF Congress held in Pyongyang, DPR Korea in last Sep. to divide the age groups at the Sparring Competitions for both Individual and Team (Male and Female) from the coming Junior World Championship in Estonia into 2 groups of 14-15 and 16-17 years old.

The ITF Tournament Committee with GM Kim Ung Chol as its Chairman informs you of the followings concerning the age groups for the coming Junior World Championship scheduled in Tallinn, Estonia on Aug. 20-26 this year in order to avoid any confusions and misunderstandings among the participants;

• Age Group for 14-15; Competitors born in 1996 and 1997 
• Age Group for 16-17; Competiotrs born in 1994 and 1995

Yours  in Taekwon-Do,

RI Yong-Son
Executive Director General

Grand Masters, Senior Masters, Masters and NGB Presidents,

It is with regret that we have to inform you that due to the change of dates for the Olympic qualifications to obtain quotas for London 2012, for Bulgaria's national teams in volleyball, gymnastics and wrestling, which now coincide with the announced dates for the European Taekwon-do championship, we have been told that our contract for using “Armeec” sports hall has been terminated.

We sincerely regret this inconvenience to you all, including the huge problem that has been created for us as organizers, but we believe that you will understand the dilemma that we have faced, and together with your help, we will do our best to overcome this unpleasant situation.

After consultation with the EITF HQ and ITF HQ, and new negotiations with the Ministry of Sports for the Republic of Bulgaria, It has been decided that the European Taekwon-do Championships will need to be re- scheduled – from 14th till 20th of May 2012

We can assure you, that the Bulgarian Taekwon-do Federation will do everything within its power to organize a unique European Championship, although we are not an Olympic sport we intend to prove that in technical, sports and organizing level we have achieved is of a standard that is equal to any Olympic event, due to our years of development.

In closing, we apologise for any inconvenience this may cause you, and would appreciate your help and understanding in this matter.

Yours in Taekwon-do
Mario Bogdanov
Bulgarian Taekwon-Do Federation ITF

Congratulations to the Irish Team who won 2 Gold and 5 Bronze plus the Overall veteran award for Mr Mark Pollock at the European Championships in Tallinn, Estonia. The team also won 2 Gold, 1 Silver and 4 Bronze at the International Martial Arts Games.

The Irish Umpires of Senior Master Barrett, Master Howard and Mr Floyd Keane worked tirelessly for 5 days and were chosen to be Chief Umpires in all their rings.

Full results: Euros.
Gold in Veteran Silver Class 2nd Dan Patterns - Mark Pollock
Gold in 6th Dan Patterns - Stephen Doyle
Bronze in Veteran Silver Class +90kg Sparring - Mark Pollock
Bronze in Veteran Self Defence - Mark Pollock, Martin Mahoney, Conor Dunne, Tim Collins
Bronze in Veteran Breaking - Mark Pollock
Bronze in +85kg Sparring - Krzysztof Misiewicz
Bronze in Team Sparring

Full results: IMAG.
Gold in 6th Dan Patterns - Stephen Doyle
Gold in Cadet Self Defence- Roisin, O'Neill, Martin Mahoney, Tim Collins
Silver in Cadet 1st Dan Patterns - Roisin O'Neill
Bronze in Cadet -55kg Sparring - Roisin O'Neill
Bronze in +85kg Sparring - Krzysztof Misiewicz
Bronze in -85kg Sparring - Tim Collins
Bronze in Team Sparring

Next up for the Irish Team will be the Adult World Championships in North Korea.

Congratulations to the following RITA members who were selected to represent Ireland at the European Championships in Estonia.

Junior:
Roisin O'Neill - Carrick-on-Suir
Ciaran Pollock - Old Bawn

Adult:
Martin Mahoney - Galway
Conor Dunne - Athlone
Tim Collins - Galway
Krzysztof Misiewicz - Galway

Veteran:
Mark Pollock - Old Bawn

Umpire:
Senior Master Francis Barrett
Master Robert Howard
Mr Floyd Keane

Coach:
Mr Stephen Doyle

Congratulations to the Irish team of David Lanigan, Martin Mahoney, Gerard Byrne, Conor McCormack, Krzysztof Misiewicz and Richard Judge who performed so well at the 4 Nations in Glasgow saturday night. This years event was one of the most open for years with all four teams very evenly matched. Wales won the pattern event earlier in the day with impressive displays of team work against Ireland and then England in the Final.

The main events took place after a black tie dinner that evening in a packed Thistle Hotel. The atmosphere was electric during the fights especially when Scotland were on the mats. Ireland got Wales and it went to all 5 matches in an exciting match. Richard Judge got a draw against Conah Prosser in his first International fight. This was followed by a defeat for Martin Mahoney against European silver medallist Gareth Francis. Krzysztof Misiewicz had an impressive win over Richard Taylor before David Lanigan drew with Luke Wakley. The match went to to the final fight with Conor McCormack producing one of his best performances to beat Tom Harris. Ireland now faced England who had narrowly beat Scotland 3-2. Unfortunately Ireland didnt get the luck they deserved with the results losing 3-0 in three very close matches. Yellow cards and warnings were the difference in each match. The highlight was Martin Mahoney against Carl Davies in a very close match with the local crowd screaming for the Irish captain.

England won the 4 Nations Cup for the fourth time in a row by pipping Scotland in the final event of Breaking. With all 4 teams still with a chance of lifting the trophy everyone of the Irish were successful in their breaks but it wasnt enough as England won that event breaking a greater number of boards.

Irelands umpire Senior Master Francis Barrett and National Coach Mr Stephen Doyle were very proud of the effort of the Irish team!

September 2011 will see the best competitors from around the world travelling to Pyongyang, North Korea for the 17th ITF World Championships. This will be a once in a lifetime trip for many to see the birthplace of General Choi. Those interested in either Umpiring, Competing or going as a spectator should register their interest with the National Coach Mr Doyle to be included in any travel arangements. This is a long trip and will require a lot of organisation with visas and flights. Approximate travel costs as of today are 2000 euro.

Important dates for your calender:

Preliminary entry forms until April 30th, 2011
Final EntryForms and visa information shall be accepted until July 20th, 2011.

Sept. 3rd, 2011 Arrival of participants for Seminar
Sept.7th, 2011 21st ITF Congress
Sept.8th, 2011 (Thurs, 1st day of Competition)
Sept. 12th & 13th, 2011 (Mon & Tue) Departure

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Congratulations to the RITA members who won 4 Gold and 2 Bronze at the European Championships. The event took place in Barletta, Italy where 29 countries were represented. Ms Audrey Condon from Kilmacow picked up 3 Gold medals in the Silver Class Female Veteran division winning 3rd Degree Patterns, -61kg Sparring and Mixed Self Defence with Mr Martin Mahoney from Galway and Mr Gerard Byrne from Old Bawn. Also winning Gold was Mr Stephen Doyle in the 6th Degree Patterns. In the Male Silver Class Veteran division Mr Mark Pollock won Bronze in +90kg Sparring and Bronze in Self defence with Mr Doyle, Mr Mahoney and Mr Byrne.

Representing Ireland as Umpires were Senior Master Francis Barrett, 8th Degree, Master Robert Howard, 7th Degree and Mr Floyd Keane 6th Degree,

Next up for the Irish Team is the World Junior and Veteran Championships in Belarus at the end of August and the 4 Nations Challenge in Glasgow on October 16th.

The RITA would like to thank Ms Niamh Herrity and the organisers for a great show saturday night. The annual 4 nations challenge was incorporated into a gala black tie dinner in aid of the children's charity Barnardos. Those attending were treated to some entertaining sparring matches between the countries as well as the power breaking event.

Earlier on in the day England won the Team Patterns section after beating Wales and then Scotland in a very close final. Scotland had beaten Ireland with a very good performance of the 3rd dan pattern "Sam-Il". In the sparring which was performed after the dinner Ireland again drew Scotland. First to spar was Mr Richard Barber from Stillorgan who lost out to the much taller Mr Andy Adam. Next out was Mr Martin Mahoney from Galway who had to face Mr Alan Rafferty. In an exciting match Mr Mahoney came back from a slow start to just about do enough to win the spar with some clean scoring combinations towards the end. Mr Krzyzstof Misiewicz also from Galway faced Mr Tam McMillan in the third bout. In a brusing heavyweight encounter which got both the Irish and Scottish supporters up on their feet shouting, Mr Misiewicz got the decision in another close match giving Ireland a 2-1 lead. Needing just one more win Ireland sent out their captain Mr Floyd Keane who was competing in his first event in over a decade. He was against the young star of the scottish team Mr Armin Gohsrich. Using his years of experience Mr Keane was able to rack up the points against the younger opponent giving Ireland a 3-1 win.

Ireland then faced England in the Final with the crowd, many of whom had never even seen Taekwon-Do before, at this stage in full voice. Once again Mr Barber went out first for Ireland to face Mr Paul Hutchings. With only a few seconds gone the Englishman was disqualified for excessive contact after knocking out Mr Barber with a heavy punch. Fortunately Mr Barber wasn't too seriously hurt and was able to get back on his feet after a few minutes. Mr Mahoney was next out against the 6'8" Mr Greg Bagwell who used his height advantage to keep his opponent frustrated and gain the win making it 1-1. Mr Misiewicz faced off against the experienced former World and European Champion Mr Ricky Dewinton. Mr Misiewicz was able to use his power advantage to get the upper hand early in the fight causing the Englishman to change tactics to a more counter attacking spar. Unable to get close enough to score clean points Mr Misiewicz lost out in a very close fight giving England a 2-1 lead. Needing to get at least a draw in the fourth spar Mr Gerard Byrne was sent out against the much bigger Mr Tom McCabe. In an exciting match the English competitor was able to get the win giving them a 3-1 lead and also the 4 Nations Cup with two wins from the three events.

The last event was power breaking in which Ireland had to come ahead of Scotland to finish in 2nd. Mr Richard Barber Punch to brick, Mr Mahoney Knifehand to tiles, Mr Misiewicz Side piercing kick, Mr Conor McCormack turning kick and Mr Floyd Keane with reverse turning kick managed to beat the Scots score by 1 point to give Ireland the Silver medal. England finished off their impressive display winning the Breaking giving them a clean sweep of 9 points.

The XVI World Taekwon-do ITF Championships will be held in the city of Saint-Petersburg, Russia on October 12-17, 2009. There will be a Technical, Umpires and Masters Seminars on October 11-13, 2009 before the Championships. The ITF Congress will take place on October 13, 2009.

The Team chosen to represent the Republic of Ireland at the ITF World Championships in Russia are:

Martin Mahoney 2 Dan, Galway
Gerard Byrne 1 Dan, Old Bawn
Conor McCormack 1 Dan, Galway
John Egan 1 Dan, Old Bawn
Joseph Beadle 1 Dan, Master Howard Dojang
Krzyzstof Misiewicz 1 Dan, Galway

Accompanying the team will be:

NGB Officials:
Senior ITF Master Robert J Howard, 8th Degree, NGB President
Senior ITF Master Anthony Phelan, 8th Degree, NGB Vice President
Ms Valerie Keane, 6th Degree, NGB National Secretary

Umpires:
Master Robert G Howard, 7th Degree
Mr Mark O'Donnell, 6th Degree
Ms Deborah Manning, 4th Degree

Coach:
Mr Stephen Doyle, 6th Degree

For more information visit www.taekwondo2009.com

Congratulations to the Irish competitors who won 3 Gold and a Bronze at the European Championships in Slovenia. Ms Audrey Condon won Gold in the Female Veteran Silver Class -61kg Sparring, Gold in the Female Veteran Silver Class 3rd Dan Patterns and Bronze in the Veteran Female Power. The mix self defence team of Ms Condon, Mr Martin Mahoney and Mr Gerard Byrne also won Gold in their division. The competitors were coached by Mr Stephen Doyle 6th Degree. Senior Master Barrett 8th Degree led the Umpire delegation with Mr John Jacob and Mr Floyd Keane both 6th Degrees.

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RITA Black Belts Mr Martin Mahoney 2nd Degree, Mr Gerard Byrne and Mr Joseph Beadle both 1st Degrees recently travelled to the Czech Republic to take part in the Czech National Team's final training camp before the European Championships. The trio were accompanied by National Coach Mr Stephen Doyle 6th Degree. The camp was in the little town of Brandys-nad-Llebem and lasted 5 days. Not only did they get to train with World and European Champions but also had one to one instruction from the head of the ITF Technical Committee Senior Master Hwang Ho Yong 8th Degree.

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