The new Spear Taekwondo Great Britain club made a winning debut.
The club competed in Barnsley for the Ultimate Patterns and Sparring One-to-One competition just a week before their official opening.
Top instructor Alex Needham and founding member Liv Harrison were keen to get back to competition to work on their development targets.
Barnsley offered a great opportunity as the competition wasn’t using electronic scoring.
Master Alex said: “The techniques involved with the non-electronic body protection means the approach completely changes for the moves involved.
“It means you have to think much harder about the kicks you use.”
The competition started with Needham entering the patterns, something he doesn’t normally do, despite having won a silver in the British Nationals a few years ago.
Patterns are a series of set moves which allow the kicks and punches learnt in class to be completed in a set order.
The sport is growing and Needham had four rounds winning his preliminary round, quarter-final and semi-final by unanimous decisions on his way to the final.
Needham’s final was against a current Great Britain player and was closer, but Alex prevailed with a majority decision.
“I wanted to challenge myself as I want the club to make sure its members have the highest standards,” added Needham.
Both Harrison and Needham competed in sparring and a great match by Liv saw her push her opponent to golden point.
Golden point is always a lottery but coach Needham felt several shots should have been scored prior to Harrison’s opponent being given the decision.
Needham fought an old adversary in a close match which allowed Alex to work on his targets in preparation for ranking up coming tournaments.
The new club has opened in Shelley Village hall training on Mondays, Wednesday and Saturdays and everyone is welcome.
For more information call 07590-080162 or go to the facebook page www.facebook.com/pages/Spear-Taekwondo-Great-Britain/496310627186733 .
