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Silver & Bronze For K.T.A. Academy fighters !

Our Academy in newspaper 27 Jan 2012

Dreams of Olympic Gold for Harrogate Martial Arts Hopefuls

By: Richard Butterworth
One of the North’s leading Taekwondo Clubs, the Harrogate and Ripon Taekwondo Academy, has changed its affiliation in a move to give its rising stars access to Olympic level competition.

Formed in 2005 by Master Kambiz R.Ali, the Harrogate Academy is now widely recognised as one of the North’s leading training environments for the martial art, Taekwondo. Taekwondo is a martial art which is popular with people of both genders and of many ages. Taekwondo develops strength, speed, balance, flexibility, and stamina.

Since 2000, Taekwondo has been one of only two Asian martial arts that are included in the Olympic Games. It became an official medal event at the 2000 games in Sydney under the aegis of the World Taekwondo Federation. The British Taekwondo Control Board (BTCB) is a member of the World Taekwondo Federation and also the British Olympic Association and so is responsible for all WTF Taekwondo in the UK, including Olympic certification. The Harrogate Academy’s move to membership of the BTCB will give its young stars a route to Olympic achievement.

The Harrogate Academy’s first adult member, Murray Jarvis, was recently promoted to Second Dan (second degree black-belt), whilst junior member, Ghazal R.Ali, daughter of Academy head, Master Ali, was the first junior to be promoted to Second Dan. At only 11 years of age Ghazal is one of the youngest students in the country to achieve this grade.

Students at the Harrogate Academy are currently preparing for the next grading assessment which is scheduled for 25 February 2012. Grand Master Alipour, Seventh Dan, will visit the Academy to judge the students and award promotions.

Although sparring (gyeorugi) is the form of Taekwondo with which members of the public are most familiar, students of this martial art also practise poomsae or “patterns” - a set sequence of movements which consists of the various fundamental stances, blocks, punches and kicks, logically arranged as a response to attacks from multiple imaginary assailants. Each poomsae sequence has a philosophical meaning, character and distinct quality. Poomsae teaches a student balance, technique, coordination and self-discipline.

At the beginning of February Students from the Harrogate Academy will be travelling to Sheffield for the BTCB’s National Poomsae Championship. Academy head, Master Ali, has high hopes that his students, who have in recent years distinguished themselves at sparring events held in Glasgow, will repeat that success in the discipline of poomsae at the BTCB Championships.

Harrogate & Ripon 1st Summer Competition 23 Jul 2011

By Mark Witty

Harrogate martial arts students are celebrating their club's first ever tournament based in the town.

The Harrogate and Ripon Traditional Tae Kwon Do Association has for many years taken part in the British Championships, held twice a year in Glasgow.

But the club membership has grown to the point where instructor and Third Dan Black Belt Kambiz R. Ali decided Harrogate should have its very own tournament.

The Summer Competition was held at Harrogate High School on Saturday ( July 23) , with divisions for krugi (sparring) and poomsae (pattern).

Mr Ali, who founded the club in 2005, wanted the competition to be more fun than intensive, but the "tae kwon do spirit" certainly came out with the older competitors.
He said : "This was our first internal competition, and it soon became clear the students who took part wanted to win!
We are the current British TTA champions and you don't get to be best in the country without a huge effort. The Harrogate event was a good way to show those students who have not competed in Glasgow what to expect. It's very hard and very competitive."

Some of the more senior "junior" black belts were invited to referee fights, giving them invaluable experience in watching the quick-fire kicks and punches needed to gain points. One of the club's longest-serving members, Jordan Swales, now a senior Black Belt aged, gave an impressive demonstration of board breaking - including one which required him to jump over five students and crack the board in mid-air.

Apart from medals for their success, all competitors who took part in the last national competition earlier this year were given congratulatory letters from Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Andrew Jones. Writing to Mr Ali on July 20, he said : "I'm delighted to hear that the whole Harrogate and Ripon team had a successful day. You must be very proud of your team to bring home that excellent amount of medals." Mr Jones added : " I believe you must take a great deal of credit for their success. It is great to see people in our community teaching youngsters sport and helping them develop their skill and technique to win competitions."

The competition was organised and overseen by Mr Ali and Club assistant Murray Jarvis ( Black Belt First Dan)
The coaches for "blue" and "red" competitors were Martin Squire and Doug Baston. "They did a fantatic job encouraging the students, especially the younger ones who had never fought competitively before," said Mr Ali.

Harrogate TTA Club will try to retain its British Championship trophy in Glasgow in November.
The Traditional Tae Kwon Do Association was founded in 1989 by 9th Dan Black Belt T.K. Loh, one of the most senior Black Belts in the world in any Martial Art.

FULL RESULTS

For Sparring
Kids 10th kup
1- Benjamin Rowen Gold
2-Naimh Currie Silver
3-Felix Butterworth Bronze
4-Evan Hill Bronze

Kids under 38kg
1- Ella Witty Gold
2- Guy Burlinson Silver
3- Jacob Ibbotson Bronze
4- Thomas Peakman Bronze

Kids under 30kg
1- Adam Barratt Gold
2- Scott Ray Silver
3- Cezary Smith Bronze

Senior male 6th kup to 4th kup
1- Thomas Henley Gold
2- Martin Squire Silver
3- Owen Cream Bronze

Seniore female 2nd kup to 1st poom
1- Bethan Holley Gold
2- Beth Bird Silver
3- Hannah Karpuk Bronze

Senior male 10kup to 7th kup
1- Jason Hill Gold
2- Sa'ndor Jakob Silver and Gold in Pattern

For Pattern
Kids 10th kup
1- Felix Butterworth Gold
2-Benjamin Rowen Silver
3- Evan Hill Bronze
4-Cezary Smith Bronze
5- Naimh Currie Bronze

For 7th kup
1- Doug Baston Gold
2- Jacob Ibbotson Silver

For 5th kup and 6th kup
1- Owen Cream Gold
2-Guy Burlison Silver
3- Thomas Henley Bronze
4- Thomas Henley Bronze

For 4th kup
1- Martin Squire Gold
2-Scott Ray Silver

For 2nd kup to 1st kup
1-Bethan Holley Gold
2- Adam Barrett Silver
3- Thomas Peakman Bronze
4- Hannah Karpuk Bronze

1st poom and 1st dan
1- Jordan Swales Gold
2- Beth Bird Silver

Trainee Referee
1-Jordan Swales 1st Dan
2- Beth Bird 1st Poom
3- Ella Witty 1st poom
4- Bethan Holley 1st Kup
5- Adam Barrett 1st Kup

Official list
Club founder and instructor K.R.Ali
Club assistant Murray Jarvis
Club press officer Mark Witty
Club photographer Susan Bird
Club first adider Jason Hill & Christin Barrett
Coach for Blue team Martin Squire
Coach for Red team Doug Baston

House of Commons letter for K.R Ali

Harrogate & Leeds grading and 4th ANNUAL LEEDS TRAINING COURSE - 2011

DATES: Saturday 26^th February (Grading and Training Course)

Sunday 27^th February (Training Course)

VENUE: Bardsey Village Hall

Woodacre Lane

Bardsey

LS17 9DG

COSTS: £100 – adults

£70 – children

*Please Note - costs are fixed irrespective of how much of the course you attend

GRADING FEE: £30 (payable in addition to the course costs for students grading)

SCHEDULE:

Saturday 26^th February 8.30 Arrive

9:30 – 11:30 Grading

11:30 – 13:30 Training Session 1

13:30 – 14:30 Lunch & course registration

14:30 – 16:30 Training Session 2

Sunday 27^th February 9.30 Arrive
10:00 – 13:00 Training Session 3

13:00 – 14:00 Lunch

14:00 – 16:00 Training Session 4

EQUIPMENT: Course attendees should provide their own complete set of Sparring Equipment

INVITE: Both Grading & course are open to all eligible TTA Members

Payment of course & Grading fees will be taken on Saturday 26^th February – please make all cheques Payable to T.K. Loh

GRADING

Can visiting students please bring their Yellow Grading Cards & License Books to the Grading.

Bardsey is between Leeds and Wetherby and is easily accessible by Car just off the A58

Thanks from K.R. Ali

To all students and parents :

Many thanks to all of you who braved the cold Thursday night to warm up our fifth birthday/Christmas party!

The event was a great success - you helped raise £ 100 towards club funds. The money will help buy equipment and kit for our students, who are keen to remain the best in Britain after our fantastic success at the British Championships in Glasgow earlier this year.

Without the support of parents and the enthusiasm of students we would not have got this far in just five years. We are one of the most progressive clubs in the Traditional Tae Kwon Do Association, and we aim to make 2011 a year to remember.

Thank you again to everyone who contributes to our success. May I wish you a Happy Christmas and and prosperous New Year

K.R.Ali 3rd Dan
H & R TTA TKD Club Founder

Iran's Taekwondo Wraps Up Asian Games with 3 Gold, 2 Silver, and 4 Bronze Medals

By: Alireza Madadi

The Iranian Taekwondo team has wrapped up its work in Guangzhou Asian Games 2010, with 3 gold, 2 silver, and 4 bronze medals. The medals earned the country the first place in men's section and second totally. Iran outnumbered the Korean delegation in overall number of medals, but with less than a gold, which put the Korean team above Iran, although it earned much less medals than Iran.

The Iranian men Taekwondo athletes bagged 3 gold medals from the tournament, in an astonishing performance, which they say could have earned the country other medals if world famous Hossein Tajik of Iran was not prevented by referees to win his Tajik opponent. "I would never forgive them" said Hossein Tajik with teary eyes after three of his 3-point kicks were ruled out by the referees. "His opponent did nothing other than running around the field, escaping kicks" said one of the team officials. "They took Tajik's gold away from us" said Reza Mehmandoust, Iran's head coach.

The Iranian team had won a single gold in Doha Asian games, where gold medals were swept by South Koreans. This lone medal back then was grabbed by Yosef Karami, who got another gold in Guangzhou Asian Games. Karami overcame his Korean opponent 4-3, in a fight that brought considerable burden of criticism for the Korean team. Korean media criticized the coach and the team, with a Korean newspaper saying "Korea was humiliated in Taekwondo."

Alireza Nasar Azadani grabbed Iran's first gold an hour before Yusef Karami on Wednesday, after he beat his Uzbek rival 10-2 in a state-of-the-art performance. His gold was also the first gold medal of the whole Iranian delegation in the Asian games.

"The performance of the Iranian team was beyond expectations" said Sayed Mohammad Pouladgar, the president of the Iranian Taekwondo Federation. "For men, we expected two gold, 1 silver and 1 bronze, and for women, we expected a silver, and two bronzes" Pouladgar told reporters. Yet "I am sad on how Naderian and Abdollahi played. They were also among our hopes for wearing medals." He continued.

Mohammad Bagheri Motammed, who won Iran's last of three gold medals on Friday told reporters "I learned a lot from Hossein Tajik's games, if you don’t win with power, then the rule of judges can play a more significant role, I didn’t want this happen."

Iran has become a world power in Taekwondo, especially in men's categories, with Iranian girls also catching up. All Iranian girls but one wore medals in Guangzhou Asian Games. Just Soheila Sayahi did not stand a ranking after she lost to her Kazakhstan opponent on Saturday morning. Parisa Farshchian and Raheleh Asemani wore silver medals, and Sara Khoshjamal, Samaneh Sheshpari, and Susan Hajipour brought home the bronze medals. Silver winner Raheleh Asemani was replaced with Paria Pourne'mat in a last minute decision by the Iranian Taekwondo federation, after Pourne'mat was injured in the camp a couple of day before the team set off for China.

for more news please follow this link http://www.iritf.org.ir/eDefault.asp

Harrogate & Ripon TTA Club took 1st place at the 28th TTA Championships in Glasgow.

Harrogate & Ripon Traditional Tae Kwon Do club has fought its way to the very
top by winning a top national honour in Scotland.

The club took 23 competitors to the 28^th TTA British Open Championships in
Glasgow where for the last four years they have finished runners up.

After completing the "pattern" competition in the first part of the
tournament, the students took part in the sparring contest, which
resulted in sweat, tears... and 30 medals, including 13 Gold, 11 Silver and 6 Bronze.

The medal haul finally gave Harrogate a first place, beating clubs from
all over the country and southern Ireland, for the coveted trophy.

There were some superb performances, with Beth Bird, Jack Dobson and Leo
Carey-Williams each bagging two Gold medals. Other Gold winners were
Ella Witty, Ghazal R Ali, Georgina Wray, Bethan Holley, Daniel Shipton,
Thomas Peakman and Benjamin Newton.

Beth Bird, 14, holds the enviable record of never being beaten in any
contest she has fought since 2006. Emily Dingley, 16, put in a stunning
performance for her silver medal, which she gained in a final fight
against a much older Second Dan Black Belt.

The victory did not come without pain - Jemima Brown was sent to
hospital to check a wrist injury, and Georgina Wray took a sprained
ankle which needed ice pack treatment from the on-site physio.

Harrogate instructor Third Dan Black Belt K.R. Ali was absolutely
delighted with the result. "We have worked so hard to win this trophy
over the years, and finally it is ours. The team worked together,
supporting each other during fights, and when one of them was down the
team lifted them with banners and cheering."

He added : "The significance of this result cannot be overlooked. We
only formed five years ago and now we are British champions. This is
testament to the students and parents who have supported us in that
time."

The Traditional Tae Kwon Do chief instructor and founder, 9th Dan Black
Belt Grandmaster T.K. Loh, will be visiting the club later this month
for the next round of belt gradings, where more Harrogate students are
hoping to progress through the ranks.

The club will vigorously defend its title next year, when it's hoped an
even bigger team will travel to Glasgow.

Gold medal winners are: Bethan Holley, Daniel Shipton, Beth Bird (2 Golds), Ghazal R.Ali, Thomas Peakman, Leo Carey-Williams (2 Golds), Benjamin Newton, Ella Witty, Jack Dobson (2 Golds), Georgina Wray.

Silver medal winners are: Daniel Shipton, Jordan Kaban, Thomas Peakman, Emily Dingley (2 Silvers), Benjamin Newton, Ella Witty, Guy Burlison, Thomas Henley, Georgina Wray, Adam Dickson.

Bronze medal winners are: Bethan Holley, Martin Squires, Jacob Brown, Jemima Brwon, Jack Lowerson, Jack Crowther,

success after recent gradings for the coveted Black Belt.

A Harrogate Martial Arts club is celebrating success after recent gradings for the coveted Black Belt.

The Harrogate and Ripon Traditional Tae Kwon Do Club took six students to Glasgow at the end of September for a four-hour test of strength and character, which is personally overseen by 9th Dan Black Belt Grandmaster T.K. Loh, who is the founder of the Traditional Tae Kwon Do Association (TTA) in the UK.

Of the six , two were taking the "senior" Black Belt grading for over-16s - Jordan Swales and Emily Dingley, and the remaining four, Jack Crowther, Georgina Wray, Tom Miri and Ella Witty were taking the "junior" Black Belt for those under 16. All were notified by letter of their success, with Jordan and Emily scoring an A Star - the highest accolade for anyone taking the examination.

Their success now means the Harrogate club has four senior Black Belts and eight junior - one of the highest number of any clubs in the TTA, which comprises organisations from all over the UK and southern Ireland.

Club founder and leader, Third Dan Black Belt K. R. Ali, said : " It's a fantastic achievement. We only formed five years ago, and although some have fallen by the wayside, the strong students have come through and made me, and everyone involved in the club, very proud."

Mr Ali continued : "I would like to thank the parents for their support, and all the senior and junior Black Belts who have helped push our latest Black Belts to achieve their goal."

The club was visited last weekend ( Oct 2) for a special traning session by Grandmaster Loh himself , who was only recently promoted to 9th Dan by the Tae Kwon Do governing body in Korea. He is one of the highest ranked Black Belts of any Martial Art in the world, and his invaluable knowledge and expertise was welcomed warmly by the students.

Talking to the Harrogate Club's Press Officer Mark Witty, Grandmaster Loh said the Tae Kwon Do " journey" is "lifelong" and the achievement of a Black Belt, although significant, is only the beginning of a student's association with TKD.

Harrogate students are now preparing for the British Championships in Scotland in November, at which they hope to win the coveted "Best Team" title after finishing second in the UK for the last three years.

THE 28TH T.T.A. BRITISH OPEN CHAMPIONSHIPS

THE 28^TH TRADITIONAL TAEKWONDO ASSOCIATION BRITISH OPEN CHAMPIONSHIPS

Venue: The Time Capsule,
100 Buchanan Street,

Coatbridge,

ML5 1DL

Date: 7th of Novermber 2010

Timetable: Saturday 6th^st November at Time Capsule Leisure Complex, Coatbridge

7.30pm to 9.00pm Registration and Weigh in for all competitors. all students must have a valid licence .

Sunday 7th November at the Time Capsule Leisure Complex, Coatbridge

08:00 – 09:00 hrs: Weigh-in for all competitors. Changes of weight category will not be permitted. Any fighter not making their weight category will be disqualified

09.00 onwards – Poomsae competition followed by kyorugi competition

A Harrogate Martial Arts club is celebrating success...........................by Mark Witty

A Harrogate Martial Arts club is celebrating success after recent gradings for the coveted Black Belt.

Mr Ali continued : "I would like to thank the parents for their support, and all the senior and junior Black Belts who have helped push our latest Black Belts to achieve their goal."

BELT UP! STUDENTS GO INTO THE BLACK!

by; Mark Witty

BELT UP! STUDENTS GO INTO THE BLACK

Dawn rose above the Cumbrian hills. She must get very tired doing that every day. A convoy of cars sped through the dark into the light of Scotland. The intrepid team, some who even managed to stay awake for the journey, arrived in Coatbridge, Glasgow's very own Tuscany, following the early morning dash from God's own county. Maybe we should have a word with Him about the 12 miles of roadworks on the A1 near Ripon - 12 miles of road and no work going on.

Anyway, the intrepid crew of Jordan, Emily, Georgina, Jack, Ella and Tom girded their loins for the biggest test of their life - Black Belt. Only the brave are nominated by our suave leader, Third Dan Black Belt Kambiz R Ali - the R standing for "RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR" if you're wondering. They stood, somewhat neervously, awaiting the four-hour test of stamina, nerve and concentration. And then it began. Parents were urged to leave the building. Despite the magnficent facilities of the Community Centre most did - two, who shall remain un-named, forced a "Full Scottish" breakfast down at Morrisons - classiness will out in the end. The nerves were jangling...nails were bitten - belts were tightened.

The wait finally ended and the students emerged, slightly dazed but relieved, from the test. All had been under the watchful and expert gaze of the most senior black belt in the country, 9th Dan Grandmaster T K Loh. His decision and word is final, but the waiting goes on - students are told by letter how they have fared. The postman hasn't been so popular since Christmas.
It's hoped all have been successful - if so, Harrogate will have four senior black belts and eight juniors. The club goes from strength to strength - the British Championships await in November...and the road to Bonny Scotland will beckon once more.

Summer's gone! by Mark Witty our club press officer,

Summer's gone, but the heat's still on as the club prepares for an unbelievably busy two months.

Gradings took place at the end of August with 10 students passing at A Grade. The Patkos are keeping it in the family with Chris and Matthew gaining Yellow Strip - Daniel achieved Yellow Belt. Yasemin Kaban, who gained Yellow Belt at A Grade was also Student of the Month.

No doubt they and all other members of the club will gain invalubale experience from the visit of 9th Dan Grandmaster and Traditional Tae Kwon Do Association Founder T.K. Loh on October 2. His training seminar in Harrogate is a highlight for all those who want to progress in the sport, and let's not forget T.K. Loh's elevation to 9th Dan makes him the youngest in the world - and the most senior in the UK - at that stratospheric level.

Black Belt grading looms for Jordan ( 1st Dan ) , Emily ( 1st Dan ), Ella. Georgina, Jack and Tom at the end of September in Glasgow. If they are lucky enough to pass Harrogate will have 12 senior and junior black belts - a fantastic achievement in just five years since Kambiz founded the club.

Harrogate & Ripon TTA Founder, 3rd Dan Black Belt Kambiz R Ali said : "The success of our students is of course down to their own determination, but I think they would all agree the mentoring of Murray and the Black Belt juniors has had a significant impact on their performance. I'd like to say a big "thankyou" to all of them."

There's no rest though - the National Championships are in November, where it is hoped after many years of finishing second in the UK, Harrogate will take the main title.

Grandmaster T K Loh 9th DAN training seminar 2nd October

Grandmaster T K Loh 9th DAN
Grandmaster Loh has recently been promoted to 9th Dan by the Kukkiwon in Korea this makes him the youngest 9th Dan Grandmaster in the world and the senior grandmaster in the UK

All students must bring their deposit by their next training session this seminar is essential for all students to attend to help them progress towards higher grades and invaluable experience in helping improve technique for the upcoming national championships in November.

Open wounds at club training

Open wounds at club training,

If you have any cuts, grazes, or open wounds these must be treated and covered before training to stop any cross infection or you will not be allowed train.

If during training you cut yourself, you must inform the instructor or assistant present and leave the Dojang immediately for treatment.

Harrogate & Ripon TTA Grading at 28 Aug 10

Club Grading

The next club grading will be held on the 28th August from 1.00pm – 4.00pm at the Jennyfield Community centre
Students who wish to take your grading please hand in your grading fee to either Murray or myself by the 21st August this is no guarantee you will be allowed to grade if it is decide you are not ready.

K.R.Ali

Well done to all students who passed their grades on 28th August especially Thomas Henley, Matt Patko,Anjali Dey, Chris Patko, Jason Hill, Daniel Shipton, Jasmine Kaban, Jack Dobson, Chris Shaw and Dana Shaw who all receive ‘A’ Grade passes

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