LET’S SPAR: Eclipse Taekwondo’s Ethan Murray (right) puts his body on the line to take home two gold. Photo: NANDO LATTANZIO
THE second annual South Coast Open Taekwondo Championship really packed a punch last Sunday when it was held at the Shoalhaven Entertainment Centre.
The competition attracted over 200 competitors from 20 clubs, with over 800 people packing into the centre.
“It was a buzz,” beamed competition co-ordinator and Eclipse Taekwondo head instructor Dale Bryce.
“It was a lot of planning but the feedback has been unbelievable.
“We had people compete from Victoria, ACT, all over NSW from the Blue Mountains to the far North Coast, which included 25 Australian representatives and everyone said they loved it.
“A lot of the Victorians stayed for the weekend in Jervis Bay and said they will return next year for a full week, they loved the area so much. It was great for tourism.”
The 25-strong team from Hills District Taekwondo took out the overall club championship for sparring and poomsai events.
Three courts ran in the morning for the junior events, with two courts in the afternoon for the senior contests.
“There were some really spectacular fights. I would say that they were even better than overseas fights because there is not as much on the line so the competitors really go for it,” said Bryce.
Congratulations to Eclipse Taekwondo’s Jonathan Coyle (silver), Ethan Murray (gold), Tim Parkes (two gold and one silver), Jake Evans (silver), Brock Wenzel (silver and bronze), Jordyn Wenzel (silver), Michael Wenzel (two silver), Tori Smith (two gold, two silver and one bronze), Daniel Smith (three gold), Shirralee Pedrana (three gold), Maddy O’Neil (gold and silver), Ian Staples (gold), Dylan Abbott (two bronze), Jack Haworth (silver), Shanni Leatham (silver), Tane Morgan (three gold and bronze), Daniel O’Driscoll (two silver), Toni Bernhard (silver), Adam Watson (two gold), Elecia Parrott (gold and silver), Sarah Crockett four gold and one silver), Isabella Crockett (silver and bronze), Moniesha Thomas (bronze), Mira Leggo (two gold and silver), Racquel Arnold (four gold), Liam Fudge (bronze), Amelia Priftis (silver) and Cooper Lattanzo (bronze).
Bryce thanked all the helpers from Eclipse Taekwondo, the coaches and Kate Matthews for photographing the event.
