Taekwon-Do numbers grow in Christchurch

The International Taekwon-Do Foundation of New Zealand believes that the strength of International Taekwon-Do in Christchurch can be seen through the city’s performance at the recent South Island Regional Championship Tournament, with about 100 competitors, and over half of the competitors were from Christchurch clubs.

International Taekwon-Do (ITKD NZ) have advised that the strongest club at the Tournament was Do Riccarton, with competitors from five to 50 years old, and which maintained its winning streak and took out the Best Overall Club for the second year in a row, with 29 gold medals against 16 gold medals won by Pulse Taekwon-Do of Christchurch.

International Taekwon-Do Riccarton was also nominated and was a finalist in the top three clubs for the Club of the Year in the Canterbury Sports Awards this year.

At the Tournament competitors took part in not only sparring, but also patterns, pre-arranged sparring, power board breaking and specialty breaking (high flying kicks). Competitions help entrants grow both as martial artists and as individuals through pitting their skills against competitors from other clubs, and often winning through mental toughness and perseverance – and performing to new level.

Kris Herbison, instructor of International Taekwon-Do Riccarton and former silver medallist at the ITKD world championships, is aiming at involving the sport in the community more in the future.

Herbison explains “in recent years, many martial arts, including Taekwon-Do, (have) been viewed as only a combat sport, losing its identity as a martial art.

“International Taekwon-Do is a martial art, but a martial art isn’t just about fighting.

“In fact Taekwon-Do aims to eliminate fighting and building a better and more peaceful world through developing self-confidence and discipline, to people of all ages and backgrounds.”

There are classes run by the International Taekwon-Do Clubs in Christchurch from four years old, including a School Holiday Programme for children. Taekwon-Do has been found to work well for children, where they can learn many skills to help them through life – including paying attention, using calm voices and working together.

New Zealand are the current World Champions after winning the best overall country with 14 gold, 8 silver, and 13 bronze medals in Italy last year.

In New Zealand there are around 3,500 members and growing in New Zealand at over 75 clubs around New Zealand.

Taekwon-Do participation in Christchurch has also been boosted following the opening of a new club in the suburb of Hallswell in May.

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