Both the St Albans and Chesham Clubs had competitors in the event, most notably, leading from the front were both the instructors, Mr Whitley 6th Dan from Chesham and Mr Sheehan 5th Dan from St Albans.  You would think that they would know better by now, but you can't stop them.  Mr Sheehan even came out of a 10 year retirement to spar in the light heavy-weights once again!

Outside competitors came from a variety of organisations.  When people travel, it is generally because they believe that they will do well.  And again this year was no exception with fierce competition from many different organisations.  The BUTF is known for it's fair and equal judging so all competitors came away happy in the knowledge that whatever they had won, they had earned.  One thing you may note though is that very few outside competitors took part in the patterns.  Maybe they know the BUTF are unbeatable!

The results for the home clubs are as follows:

Well done to all of those who took part.

The patterns were really close rounds this year.  Because there are so many instructor qualified judges now who have taken many courses they know what the judges are looking for when it comes to patterns.  So when preparing the students the levels are all exceedingly high.  So the difference between 1st and 5th is generally only as point or two.  So those who have won medals have done so just because when they train, they have tidied up just those little extra things to make their patterns that much better.  So if you are reading this and your name is not on the list, you know what you need to do.

Sparring was as exciting as ever.  There were some really good bouts.  Well done to George Hanchant and Dave Shakespeare for doing so well in such tight events.  Both the fights were good quality and fiercely fought bouts so well do to both of you for doing so well.

With the introduction of a new 'Super-holder', breaking was never going to be easy.  Blue Belts and their knifehand strikes on two boards seem to get the worst of it as those boards were tough as house bricks in there.  Breaking can be quite nail-biting.  Especially when there are two competitors in the final play-off and you know they are giving it absolutely everything to win.  So when that pile of boards do not break and they have to get up there and do it again then hats off to them for their bravery.  Well done to Rishi Shah for mastering the really tricky flying side kick.

The day was capped off by both the instructors coming out and showing how it's done.  Mr Whitley displayed a masterful Tong Il in the 2nd round of the patterns to pip Mr Sheehan by 0.5 points.  Mr Sheehan had the 'delight' of performing Taekwon Do's longest pattern So San with 72 moves in the second round.  Both competitors sailing through the first round with 66 moves of Mong Moo, a lovely pattern with some really graceful slow kicks.

In the sparring Mr Sheehan brushed the dust off his kit and tried to overcome a taller and leggier opponent in the shape of Mr Rasmeet Kambo, 4th Degree.  But the 10 years of ring rustiness saw a close but unsuccessful semi-final.  Not bad though considering his absence from the ring and still being able to mix it with the eventual gold medal winner.

In hand destruction there was just no-one who could live with Mr Whitley.  His reverse knife-hand just passed through the boards as though they were not there.  Reverse knife hand is one of the harder hand techniques as it requires you to strike the boards with the bony part of the hand in a way that you have probably never tried before.  Get it wrong and it's a broken hand.  Get it right and Mr Whitley makes it look like balsa wood.

A great event with a fantastic atmosphere.  Everyone came away happy with what they received.  For some it was a case of having only gained more experience.  For others it was knowing that their hard work and practice paid off and they now have some really nice trophies to show off.  Especially Ben Stenning who won the overall title.

Who was the last student of Mr Whitley's to become overall champion?

Mr Sheehan was, with three golds in three events.

Now, that's not bad company to be in!