Large numbers of foreign students and honored guests arrived to Znojmo from different parts of the whole world already in Thursday. The three day marathon started on Friday 5th June with Umpire course dedicated to international I.T.F. umpires. The umpire course was held in University of Economics in Znojmo. Both theoretical and practical education was led by international instructor Gérard Galinski IV.Dan from Germany and after lunch the course joined also European Chief Umpire Master Fernando Peréz VII.Dan from Spain. Representatives from following countries took part of the course: Czech republic, Georgia, Ireland, Moldovia, Germany, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland. Four graduates from Czech TKD I.T.F. So-San Znojmo have been successful: František Macek IV.Dan (Group A centre umpire), Bc. Radek Loucký III.Dan, Antonín Belháč III.Dan and Jakub Kmec I.Dan (all Group B – corner umpire)

On Friday evening, we were pleased to welcome in Vienna airport our mostly honored guest from Canada. After 2 years returned to Znojmo Grand Master Choi Jung Hwa IX.Dan, son of General Choi Hong Hi, the founder of Korean Martial Arts Taekwon-Do and President of I.T.F.

On Saturday 6th June at 10AM, already the 8th Znojmo open tournament has begun. This tournament was final preparation for European championship. Record number of 260 participants from Armenia Belarus, Czech republic, Georgia, Ireland, Poland, Moldovia, Germany, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland and Ukraine,  took place on this competition. The competition was officially opened by Mr. Grois, Vice Mayor of Znojmo and Mrs. Bilkova, director of DDM Znojmo. The tournament was divided into following events. Tul, Team Tul, Hosinsool, Matsogi, Team Matsogi and T-Ki. Grand Master Choi Jung Hwa appeared in person on the tournament in the afternoon. Znojmo School achieved 4th place from total 21 schools from the whole Europe.

On Sunday 7th June, the three day marathon continued by International Master Class led by Grand Master Choi Jung Hwa IX.Dan. Together with Grand Master Trevor Nicholls, Secretary General of I.T.F. they explained and teach basic techniques, but also patterns. Techniques were exercised on pads and in small groups. In the Master Class, students, Instructors and Masters from Czech republic, Canada, Ireland, Germany, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland Ukraine and UK, took part.

All have appreciated excellent but also demanding events, as well as good work of organizers.

On Monday Grand Master Choi Jung Hwa IX.Dan took part on meeting with parents and students from  Znojmo Taekwon-Do school. He has offered his congratulations to all for great results in previous championships in South Korea, Canada, Italy and wished good luck in upcoming championship in Moldova.

In closing I want to thank to all who helped and supported all these events and especially the organizing team for excellent job. This is great promotion not only for Czech Taekwon-Do but also for the whole Znojmo region.  

Taekwon !

František Macek

Prezident CTA I.T.F.

 

Foto: Antonín Belháč a Jiří Abeska