TaeKwon Do

The British United Taekwondo Federation (BUTF), celebrating it's 25th year, held it's annual British tournament in Battersea on 10th Nov and the St Albans and Chesham clubs both fielded healthy squad numbers. Chesham sent one of it's largest entries of 20 students.

The day started off with the presentation of certificates and embroidered belts to newly promoted black belts. Chesham's Craig Childress was one of those. He had returned to taekwondo after a 20 year absence to fulfil his dream of attaining black belt which he did with style coming overall 1st. He later went on to compete in the black belt division and won GOLD in patterns ( where competitors perform set moves demonstrating various techniques ) after having only 2 weeks to learn his new black belt pattern. Quite a feat. He also got a bronze in the heavyweight sparring!

To add to that his son, Sheldon Childress, won gold in both patterns and sparring in the adult green belt middle weight division. This meant he won the 'overall  male coloured belt champion' trophy after having won two golds at the federations previous tournament. To be eligible for this award the student must win a minimum of a gold at each tournament, one must be for patterns and one for sparring.

Chesham then won it's second 'overall' title when 11 year old Max Whitley had an amazing achievement by winning 3 gold medals (in patterns, sparring and destruction ) adding to his previous 2 golds. The destruction event isn't included in the other tournament. This is the 2nd year in succession he's won this award and is unbeaten at every BUTF tournament he's entered. He was up against over 100 juniors trying for this honour. His destruction event involved doing a flying sidekick over 2 hurdles and breaking a board.

St Albans club had a great result with father and son team David and Elijah Slocombe winning 3 medals between them.  Leading the St Albans team from the front was their instructor Nick Sheehan who took gold in the patterns division for 5th and 6th degrees, a division normally dominated by Mr Whitley from Chesham. 

Chesham's tally of trophies was impresive with many students winning 2 trophies and Luke Mitterhuber, 2nd Dan, having a great day with gold in sparring, bronze in patterns and another gold in his destruction event. Breaking 3 boards jumping up and kicking forwards with both feet at the same time. Don't try this at home!!

Taking part in her first ever tournament was Katelyn Martin from St Albans who easily cruised her way to her first ever Gold medal.

Instructor Keith Whitley says that win or lose, all the students performed well and should be proud of themselves. Just entering deserves much respect.