Congratulations to all those who took the kup test on Saturday 12th December. The test was overseen by Mr Terry Donnelly VI dan black belt. The test was it's usual technical self. All testee's had to perform a series of fundamental movements, demonstrate their kicking abilities, special technique abilities, sparring and power abilities as well as their respective patterns and theory.

The results of the grading will be given out on Friday the 18th December, but for now here are the students who passed with 'A' level grades, including two double promotions! Well done to all.

A selection of seven Red Star competitors attended the Republic Of Ireland Taekwon-Do Association (RITA) Irish Open on Saturday 5th December. The tournament was attended by Taekwon-Do competitors from across Ireland as well as England and Scotland.The Red Star competitors perfromed excellently on the day ranking in all their respective divisions. The tournament itself was a very well organised event with computerised scoring systems and some very fair umpiring on show. Jon Mackey had the priviledge of umpiring on the day and this to say about the event -
"This was a great day out for our competitors, we were made feel very welcome. The competition was tough especially in the patterns and power sections. We would like to thank the RITA for their invitation. We look forward to working with them at future events"

Our results were as follows;

Lauren Bradshaw - Gold 1st Kup sparring
Adam Quinn - Gold Black Belt sparring
Erika Walshe - Gold 9 kup patterns
Shokri Raoff - Gold 5th Kup patterns, Silver sparring
Donna Mackey - Silver 1st Kup patterns, Bronze sparring
Neidin Coulahan - Silver 1st degree Patterns, Silver Sparring

A small but strong Pilsung ITF team travelled to Cork last weekend to participate in the annual International Irish Championships hosted by the IUTF.
The tournament which attracts 100's of outstanding Taekwon-Do competitors from around Europe is one of the toughest on the circuit. This year proved to be no different. Lining out from across Europe were teams from Holland, Croatia, Belgium, Scotland, Italy, Spain, England, Wales and Germany. The Dutch, Croatians and the Italians were in flying form and presented some world class athletes, most of whom dominated their catagories.

Not to be phased by these outstanding Taekwon-Do competitors, Pilsung ITF took it's fair share of the medals and again was able to show that we can indeed stand shoulder to shoulder with some of the best in the world.
Our star competitor this year was 14 year old Erika Walsh who dominated her patterns and sparring sections winning a gold medal in both, well done to her. Following closely behind her were Kate Cassidy (10) and Robyn Armstrong (10) who both performed excellently and took medals out of their own patterns and sparring sections.

Erika Walsh with coach Jon Mackey    Robyn Armstrong   Coach Jon Mackey with the black belts, Neidin, Ciaran, Adam and Alvy

Shokri Raoff took gold in his senior patterns section with a classy performance of Yul Gok tul and Donna took bronze in her patterns section. Donna was tipped by many to take the gold, including her peers in her section, but it wasn't to be. Lauren Russell and Laura Flynn also did well taking two bronze medals between them. White belts John Forde and Eoghan Mactavish performed well in the beginners section, learning that even at that level, it's tough going! Not to be outdone in the white to green stripe section, yellow stripe William Joyce beat his opponent in the final to take home another gold for the Pilsung ITF team.

The black belts were certainly up against it on the Saturday, but all performed diligently. Alvydas Jankauskas, still finding his feet at senior level fought tactically in the senior -80kg section winning two bouts before being beaten by a highly experienced Shane Fitzgibbon. Neidin Coulahan took bronze in her section as did Adam Quinn who was beaten by the eventual winner a world class Dutch fighter. Ciaran 'Casso' Cassidy took on this Dutch fighter in the final, and although he put in a stern performance, the speed and agility of his opponent won out in the end. Alvydas went on to line out for the boys team and picked himself up a bronze medal.

As usual well done to all who travelled and competed, the real victory is stepping out onto the mat, anything else is a bonus!

All the photo's can be viewed here

Alvydas Jankauskas made his WAKO debut on Saturady 21st November when he fought on the undercard of a WAKO Pro world title fight.

Alvy was drawn against Damien Darker from Global Kickboxing. Damien is a very classy and technical kickboxer with a great set of hands. Our game plan going in to the fight was to stay focused, stay out of his punching range and dominate with the legs. Alvy stuck to the game plan nicely and with two well placed jumping back reverse turning kicks, secured himself a handsome win in what was a battle of tactics. In round two a strong right hand from Damien open up Alvy's nose, centre referee veteran Filipo Fusco was watching it with interest. With a small bit of work to stop it bleeding Alvy was able to finish the fight strong taking the decision unanimously. In the world title fight, Robbie Haugh was unfortunate to lose his world title over seven rounds by one solitary point. He put up a great fight and was his usual dynamic and explosive self. There is no doubt he will win that title back soon enough.

Pics from Alvy's fight can be seen here