Alistair Lawson qualifies for World Taekwondo Championships

ALISTAIR Lawson has recognised a lifelong dream by qualifying for the World Taekwondo Championships after an imperious performance at the World Poomsae Championships Selections in Perth.

The World Taekwondo Championships are the pinnacle of the sport. Earning selection is incredibly difficult, as competitors must win their categories at the national sections to qualify.

Lawson said in recent times he has narrowed his focus to give himself the best chance of reaching the World Championships.

“It was about 18 months ago that I decided to stop doing the fighting side of the sport and start getting into Poomsae.”

Poomsae sees competitors complete the different patterns that form the basis of Taekwondo.

They are judged on their accuracy, presentation, flow, power and speed.

Lawson left nothing to chance in his preparation for the selections, getting up early each day to train and working with some of the world’s most respected taekwondo masters to hone his skills.

In Perth he reaped the rewards for his efforts, winning gold in both the individual and pairs category.

The individual final could also hardly have been more dramatic for Lawson.

Competing against a veteran of two World Championships, Lawson said he knew only his best would suffice in the final.

“I watched him and thought ‘he’s really good, so I’m going to have to really step it up’.”

Lawson delivered what he believed was a strong showing but had been so focused on his performance he had not remembered which side of the scoreboard his score would be on.

“His side of the scoreboard flashed up winner. I looked at him and congratulated him and he goes ‘you won’. Then my name flashed up as winner. I was over the moon.”

In the pairs event, Lawson competed with Marcia Seymour. Their victory was particularly impressive as they only had the opportunity to train together three times before the championships.

Reaching the World Championships is all the sweeter for Lawson, having been set to compete several years earlier only to suffer a broken ankle with the tournament just a few weeks away.

But the added motivation has been transformative for Lawson as well as his students at Endurance Taekwondo, as he said learning from some of the best had greatly helped his own teaching capabilities.

“I always want to get more information and bring that back to the club and share it. My students are really recognising that the level is stepping up, so it’s really good to see everyone improve.”

The World Championships are being held in Denmark in May.