Elite Taekwondo kicks to victory

STUDENTS from Torquay’s Elite Taekwondo have participated in three competitions over the last three weeks, putting their skills in sparring and patterns disciplines to the test.

On Sunday May 26, a small number of students ventured to Melbourne’s State Hockey and Netball Centre for the state round of the winter open. Over 6,000 competitors from Victoria and interstate took part in the competition.

Alistair Lawson, head instructor at Elite Taekwondo, said the event was very difficult, with most participating students moving up to new divisions.

“(It) allowed the students to notch up lots of experience against a high calibre of competitors,” he said.

Elite Taekwondo walked away with two silver and one bronze medal from five competing students.

The following weekend, 14 students from Elite Taekwondo journeyed to the Melbourne Taekwondo Centre for the invitational event.

Alistair said each of his students found great form and used their experiences to garner four gold, two silver and eight bronze medals.

“I’m very happy for all of them. It was a great event and good to see their skills working well,” he said.

“There were a few students trying out sparring for the first time which was also great to see.”

Most recently on Sunday June 9, Alistair attended the Australian Hanmadang competition in Glen Waverly with local student Heechan.

The taekwondo festival, which covers a range of disciplines, attracts competitors from all over Australia.

First-time competitor Heechan won gold, while Alistair received a first and third place finish in his event.

“Heechan worked very hard for this result and I couldn’t be prouder of him,” Alistair said.

Elite Taekwondo is a full-time club operating out of Torquay’s West Coast Business Park.

For more details, visit elitetaekwondoaustralia.com.au.