International Taekwon-Do Federation Ireland

The ITF Ireland media team were working hard while in Korea and as promised we will be bringing you some in depth interviews with leading ITF masters from around the world today. So who better to start with? None other than our own Master Dalton. Listen here to Master Dalton's views on the tournament, talks about the old days and his plans for the future.

As it happens...

Greetings from Korea!

Monday 12 July:

The last of the team leave Cheongju today, some are destined for a few extra days in Seoul, others heading straight back to the Emerald Isle. It has been a fantastic trip for team Ireland, a memorable one. The publicity team along with Master Dalton were able to secure a number of interviews with some of the leading ITF masters in the world today. Those interviews will be made available shortly for everyone to enjoy as we release them over time. In the mean time, if anyone has any nice photos to add to our collection please contact us via the website.

On behalf of Master Dalton, and all of the team Ireland. Have a great summer, stay training and we'll see you all soon.

Thursday 8th July:

The last two days have just been a blur! The final day was Thursday after all the initial rounds fought out on the Wednesday.
Wednesdays sections were a battle a minute, the sections had up to 40 fighters in them and these guys were world class.

The finals day is a day we will all remember for a long long time, and a day that will never be forgotten by two absolute warriors. Both Padraig O'Connor and James Dwyer were crowned heavy and middle weight ITF Champions of the world.

Paudy was a just in a different league against his opponent ex world champion Richard Belle (England) as he dominated throughout the fight. James Dwyer, bruised and battered from the preliminary rounds had a tough battle against Ruben Hemmings (England) but with incredible steel and determination he battled to take the win to a huge cheer from the crowd. The finals were historic on many levels, it was the first time in history that ITF Taekwon-Do was broadcast live on the main Korean TV network.

The teams were somewhat unlucky this event having been pooled with the top countries and in the semi finals the mens team drew Argentina (eventual winners) and the ladies team, having beaten spain in the first round were unlucky against Argentina (eventual winners) in the semi's also. This was Argentina's tournament. They were outstanding and why wouldn't they be with Master Gallaraga and Master Maidana at the helm!

ITF Ireland were in flying form and we're all over the moon. We may be only a small country with a small population but no one can match us for spirit and determination. There will be a full medal count later on today, but for now this is how it stands from the Thursday finals:

Padraig O'Connor - Adult heavy weight champion of the world

James Dwyer - Adult middle weight champion of the world

Junior girls team - silver (sparring)

Junior boys - bronze (power)

Adult ladies team - bronze (sparring)

Adult ladies team - bronze (power)

Adult mens team - bronze (sparring)

Adult mens team - bronze (power)

Tuesday 6th July:

Another tough day of sparring. The divisions are unbelievably big, never the less the Irish fought well today with more World Championship medals secured. Congratulations to Bernadette Doyle who took gold in the senior heavy weight ladies sparring, some tactical hand work paved the way to the final where she took the win.
Laura Cremin was also in top form in the adult ladies heavy weight section, the toughest section for the females in a long time. Laura put on a super show of grit as she battled her way to the final where she met current world champion Kimberley Bradshaw who took the decision narrowly. Neidin Coulahan was also in the same section and fought her way to the semi final disposing of the USA and Canada en route, it was a great display frm Neidin as this tournament was her adult debut. So well done to Laura who took silver and to Neidin who took the bronze.

Claire O'Sullivan was also in great form today in a large division of middle weight adult females. She took out Japan and the USA to meet Argentina in the semi's, due to an ongoing neck injury she had to retire from the bout and took the bronze, well done to her!
More sparing tomorrow!

Monday 5th July:

More medals today for the Irish squad. First up our newest addition to the rank of World Champion, Daniel O'Sullivan won the junior boys micro weight sparring division in a very large tough section, well done to him. Also medalling today were Shannon Murphy who took bronze in the junior girls micro weight, also taking bronze were Cathal Kilbane in light weight sparring junior boys, Ms Jeni Field in the senior black belt ladies patterns and Mr Shane Fitzgibbon in the senior 6th degree patterns division. Well done to everyone!

Sunday 4th July:

Families, friends, supporters of ITF Ireland, ladies and gentlemen. Let me introduce to you the senior ladies 3rd degree WORLD ITF PATTERNS CHAMPION... Ms Mary Mannion!!!!!
On behalf of the entire team here in Korea, a very big well done Ms Mannion!

WOO HOO!

More results will follow

Friday 2nd July:

The festival ended today on a high point with the mens senior team taking gold, beating Greece in the final. The boys junior team had to settle for silver having being pipped at the post by Russia. In the individuals Shane Fitzgibbon made easy work of his Australian opponent to take the gold in the mens senior category. Alvydas Jankuaskas took silver in the individuals after being out pointed in the final by a classy Argentinean. Neidin Coulahan  met Ciara O'Shea in the final of the heavy weight girls with Neidin taking the gold and Ciara the silver, well done to them. Taking gold also was Shannon Murphy who made easyy work of her Korean opponent in the final, Connie Vaughan was in fine form as she beat a very tall and awkward Greek girl with some classy combinations. Andrea Kinsella took bronze in the same section also.

The colour belt team were unstoppable today. Winning golds were, Shannon Strawbridge, Erika Walsh and Lauren Bradshaw who all made easy work of their respective categories. In the adult ladies Donna Mackey took silver against a stylish Argentinean.

The World Festival is now over and tomorrow, Saturday 3rd we head to Cheungju University to register and weigh in for the ITF world championships beginning on the 4th.

More updates from todays event will follow :-)

Thursday 1st July:

The Festival started today with patterns for the ITF and sparring for our friends in the WTF. Good big sections and a top class standard with Argentina and Russia dominating. The three Irish colour belts all medalled, bronze and two silver. Shane Fitzgibbon took on Australia in the seniors and had to settle for second place, tiredness still a factor. The junior boys pattern team took bronze also. The event is fantastic, it's running very well thanks to the ITF tournament committee. Sparring tomorrow so stay tuned for more updates as we get them. The team says HELLO!

7.40pm Wednesday 30th June:

The rest of ITF Ireland arrived earlier in the day and now everyone has gone through the registration process. At the moment the rest of the team are weighing in, once that's done it will be off to a local restaurant for a quick bite to eat and then to bed for an early start tomorrow, everyone is in great spirits.
It's incredibly humid here at the moment, it should make for an interesting tournament, good job the squads are as tough as they are! More updates tomorrow.

10am Wednesday 30th June:

Most of ITF Ireland have arrived today with still some competitors expected within the next few hours. Spirits are good. Master Dalton is busy with the tournament committee. At the  moment they are behind us discussing the weigh in's. There is Master Galarraga, Master Maidana, Mr Perez and Master Dalton. Although it is still early there are many ITF teams here. Russia have over 100!

At 7.30am this morning Master Dalton presided over a senior degree testing. Mr Jon Mackey was put through the paces in the morning heat covering all aspects of the ITF syllabus including fundamental movements, tul, step sparring, free sparring, Ho sinsul, theory and power breaking. The breaks included, dollyo chagi, speed punch while holding the board, jumping high kick and jumpin back piercing kick on two boards. At the end of the test Master Dalton gave Mr Mackey the good news.

Mr Mackey said after the test;

"It was an absolute dream come true for me to test in Korea and in front of Master Dalton. I didn't factor in the heat with my preparations, it was unbelievably hot but it's done now and I am very grateful to Master Dalton for making this test one I will always remember -thank you sir"

Further updates will follow...stay tuned!

Dear Friends,

As we approach these historic world championships in South Korea I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mr. Fitzgibbon and Ms. Field for all their hard work with regards the registration and accomodation. I would also like to thank Mr. Healy for organising the  team Ireland jackets.

Good luck to all of Team Ireland. You and your instructors deserve great credit for the tremendous effort you have shown over the last year. I am confident that you will continue to bring further glory to your families, clubs and country in this special World Championships.

Taekwon,

Don Dalton

Mr. Diarmuid McSweeney will be interviewed by Dara Ó Cinnéide  next Monday 28th of June on the Saol Ó Dheas show, which will be broadcast
from 12pm on RTÉ Raidio na Gaeltachta. The topic of conversation will be the up coming World Championships in South Korea and Taekwon-Do in
general. Raidio na Gaeltachta are hoping to do a live interview with Mr. McSweeney from South Korea to give updates and results from both
the World Taekwon-Do Festival and the ITF World Championships.

Make sure to tune in for your updates!

GO TEAM IRELAND!