Chungdokwan Taekwondo attracted over 400 competitors to a National Event held at Ferryhill Leisure Centre last weekend. The ages ranged from 7 to 84 years. Students from all over the UK and Ireland attended.

The events included individual and Team Poomse (or patterns / kata as known in other Martial Arts), and One Step Sparring.

The discipline shown by the younger students was very impressive during a marathon event that lasted more than nine hours on Sunday.

There were categories for junior, or Kup Grades, all the way up to Master Dan Grades. As an International Association Chungdokwan intends to hold similar events in the future that will involve competitors from around Europe and beyond.

There are clubs in Belgium, Holland, Spain and Ireland and as far afield as Dubai and Australia. Taekwondo is an Olympic Sport and is controlled by The BTCB - British Taekwondo Control Board - Chungdokwan is affiliated to and a key member of the BTCB. In this time when many young people are getting bad press, the students of Taekwondo both young and old, are showing a great example in behaviour and commitment.