2009
Regional Championships - Alexandra
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A brand new Riccarton Junior competitor's perspective
on our annual regional gathering...
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The year is 2009, the date was 23rd of May,
every club in the South Island was heading for the same destination,
Alexandra, all with the same goal... best club for this years
regional championships, of course there were those with personal
goals but the unity during regionals appears to be far to
strong for individual glory.
With the tournament being hosted by the Central
club, this required quite a few long journeys, and as we were
on the brink of winter, everyone hoping the weather holds
out so we could sneak through those passes and get to our
destination on time. Clearly mother nature was smiling upon
us as we made it on schedule with no troubles as did all the
other clubs.
Disaster struck on arrival at the location
and we realised that we were powerless to do anything but
remove the mats from the vehicles and store them in the hallway
as the forces in control of the previous events had a communication
break down, BASEKET BALL WAS BEING PLAYED WHEN WE WERE SUPPOSE
TO ORGANSE THE RINGS AND SET UP ALL THE EQUIPEMENT! After
close to one hundred people were running around with really
no idea of what they were doing, the plan seemed that the
coloured belts were going to venture back in the early hours
of the morning to set up the rings before the tournament began.
We all retired for the night after the plans had been laid.
The following morning brought high spirits
and fresh buzz as everybody was in the zone. After a few ring
malfunctions, all problems seemed to be solved and the three
rings stood proudly waiting for the first contenders to show
off their skills. Patterns were the first event of the tournament
and had all three rings going at once to cater for everyone's
enthusiasm to be the number one in their rank. Everyone displayed
such heart and determination, this was proven quite clearly
as Riccarton club took top 5 places not only in the yellow
belt division but also red belt as well.
After getting through the patterns rather
hastily and making up for some lost time from the latish start
all rings moved onto sparring with the preliminary rounds
to see whom would be up against whom in the finals. This provided
to be huge entertainment and you could see the fire in all
the clubs as they supported their fellow team mates who were
in the ring. Old rivals settled scores where as new ones were
forged in the heat of battle.
By lunch time on the first day we had made
up for lost time and decided to continue the events that were
suppose to start the following morning so everyone could shoot
off home relatively early. This meant that team sparring and
team patterns were to be displayed in rings one and two and
the special technique machine was to be erected in ring three.
People watched on as a small amount of competitors attempted
to defy gravity with this unique event. Although the buzz
was around the prearranged sparring where competitors got
to have a shot at showing off there best routine. Medals were
given out to the winners after each events final to speed
up the process of the final prize giving so everyone could
get home quickly.
Day two consisted all the final sparring
events, team sparring and the male black belts division. These
events held the most interest of course with many fantastic
bouts. The rivalry was fierce but still everybody knew everybody
so there were thankfully no serious injuries caused by aggressive
sparring. With all the events completed we then proceeded
to form up and the awards were given out with a brand new
tenants award, dedicated to the memory of Mr Shane Eade, just
before the presentation of this award Renee Hopkins performed
a truly moving haka in memory of Mr Eade. For the third consecutive
year Riccarton club took home best overall club and the other
awards were distributed among all other clubs. A special thanks
needs to go out to Mr Kris Herbison, Mr David Oliver, Mr Nigel
and Natalie Patterson, Helen Caley, Angela Barltrop, all officials,
team manages and coaches, parents and finally the competitors,
this event could not have happened without you all. Thank
you.
Jamie Townsend
8th Gup
Riccarton ITF TKD (the smiling ginger headed 8th gup receiving
the award for best overall yellow belt in one of the pictures)
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