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2009 Regional Championships - Alexandra

A brand new Riccarton Junior competitor's perspective on our annual regional gathering...

 

 

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)

 

For a full list of the competition results please see here.

 

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2009 Regional Championships - Alexandra
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2007 Regional Championships - Christchurch
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