A small contingent from the club travelled to Kilkenny, Ireland to take part in the William The Marshall championship hosted by the Irish Taekwondo Academy, and came back with many medals, well done everyone!
Poomsae
Gold: 9
Silver: 1
Bronze: 1
Highest Poomsae score across all categories was achieved by Senior Instructor Safiya, black belt veteran category, congrats!
Kyorugi
Gold: 5
Silver: 1
The two annual British Opens were held as always in our Manchester home, recently rebranded BeActive Urmston, one in Spring and one in Autumn, which saw all our students obtain many medals in both Poomsae and Kyorugi.
In April, Senior Grand Master Mark Richardson successfully took his 9th Dan Black Belt grading (Read more here)
In August, Senior Grand Master Mark Richardson had the great and deserved honour to be inducted into the Taekwondo World Hall of Fame at a ceremony held in New Jersey, USA.
In October, a small team travelled to Milan to take part in a competition held by our Song Moo Kwan partner Club of Busto Arsizio.
In December, Dan gradings were held, well done to Master Anne C and Master Christina H, 5th Dan, Safiya F. A-B and Zaned A, 3rd Dan, Patrick M, 2nd Dan and Alastair S, Asalah Z and Zayd Z, 1st Dan.
Student of the Year: Shahine M, Congratulations!
Chong Jae Nim (Supreme Grand Master) Hee Ro, World Song Moo Kwan President, said how proud he was of SGM Mark, for the respect shown and the level of technique speed and strength, and was very pleased and proud of his performance.
Congratulations Sir you are an inspiration and the embodiment of the Five Tenets of Taekwondo!
The feeling of this week is just sinking in, the enormity of the achievement, all the serious injuries over the years, I’ve never given up or quit not once. I’ve gone from strength to strength, happiness and the feeling of my life back is true happiness, spending the last 8 months on hospital crutches and a walking stick, requiring a new hip and knee, I never stopped practicing, performing Koryo Keumgang Taebaek Pyongwon Sipjin Jitae Cheonkwon Hansu Ilyo for my students, and Hoshinsul and Kyukpa.
To be tested in front of Chongjaenim Hee Ro world Song Moo Kwan President, SGM Joe Cole 9th dan, SGM Leo 9th dan, SGM Kathy Cole 9th dan, all that practice was worth every second, of thought nerves more practice, the traveling was nothing, all I wanted was to show my seniors my respect and walk out on the floor and perform my Taekwondo at 61 years old, to perform my best and even show my skill as an instructor with Song Moo Kwan.
The results and successful testing, the support and respect shown by my Song Moo Kwan family 4,600 miles from home was unbelievable. The feeling is now sinking in the lonely young boy from a poor beginning who made it to the top 9th degree blackbelt.
My beautiful wife was so pleased and proud of me. My best friend GM Ewan Briscoe was overwhelmed and my brother of 42 years right by my side was so pleased and proud of our achievement. Then my mentor GM Guy Jones was so proud of everything I had done. I’ve never once looked back or regretted a thing. The best feeling was informing my Taekwondo family I had made it for them all. The messages of congratulations made my life so much happier and filled my heart with a harmony I’ve never felt in my life.
From 9th kup to 9th Dan, I made it.
United Kingdom Song Moo Kwan president
Former world medalist
10 times national champion Kyorugi
8 times national champion Poomsae
Former GB national coach
Former Ireland national coach
My journey continues
From my heart, Thank you all, Gamsa Hamnida
Senior Grand Master Mark John Richardson, 9th degree blackbelt
“Grandmaster Ro says, “Song Moo Kwan taekwondo forms are for your health. Even if you need to do them slowly, complete each technique. 100 percent. Then your body will be healthy.” You embody the Song Moo Kwan philosophy: With body and mind together, nothing is impossible. With enthusiasm and perseverance, nothing is impossible.” (A fellow participant to SGM Mark)
Plaque gifted by Manchester Taekwondo Schools students to SGM Mark R.
Grand Master Mark Richardson was presented with a lifetime achievement award for his contribution to Taekwondo by Grand Master Jayanth Reddy from India.
Brilliant first day at The British Spring Open with the Poomsae championship!
Well done everyone who took part. A special mention to the awe inspiring para competitors, you were the embodiment of Indomitable Spirit 
The first ever Master Errol Edwards Award goes to Nici Russell, para. Congratulations!
Overall kup Grand Champion: Amal Mohamed (Manchester)
Female Dan Grand Champion: Brooke Kirlew (Reays)
Male Dan Grand Champion: Abdul Kaleel (Reddy Taekwondo Academy India)
Grand Master Mark Richardson was presented with a lifetime achievement award for his contribution to Taekwondo by Grand Master Jayanth Reddy from India.
Congratulations to everyone who took part in the Kyorugi championship!
First ever Master Errol Edwards Kyorugi Award goes to: Zayd Zulqurnain
Player of the day: Poppy jaundrell (Warrington)
Overall best player: Amal Mohamed (Manchester)
Team places for koryugi:
1. Manchester
2. Panther
3. Northern
4. Millennium
5. Gold
6. Strike
You still have time to get your entries in for the upcoming British Spring Open held in Manchester and hosted by Manchester Taekwondo Schools, on 12th-13th March 2022. Poomsae on Saturday and Kyorugi on Sunday, old school with manual scoring.
Entry deadline is 26th February, so don’t delay, as places get filled very quickly! It is a very successful annual event with a real family feel where everyone’s welcome and encouraged, from Para to Vets, through PeeWees to Seniors, there will be something for you! Spectators are welcome (see fees on poster below), you don’t need to have anyone to support, come and see what Taekwondo is!
See below for further information, rules, how to enter, and the entry form to download.
We’re looking forward to welcoming you!
Team overall result:
1st: Manchester Taekwondo Schools
2nd: Camran Taekwondo
3rd: Panther Black Belt Academy
After two years of lockdowns, online training, cancelled events and general uncertainty, the 2021 edition of the annual Autumn Open hosted by our club, Manchester Taekwondo Schools, could at last take place. It was a very successful event, not only in terms of medals but also – maybe more so – in terms of friendship, fun, and technical quality.
As envisioned by GM Mark Richardson, Head Coach, and Song Moo Kwan UK President, the Kyorugi championship only used manual scoring to encourage the traditional, faster, more powerful form of fighting, which we used to see on the mats up to the early 2000s before the electronic scoring was introduced. And the difference was clear: faster rhythm in every game, greater power in each shot, it was a joy for everyone, whether you were watching, fighting, scoring, coaching, or refereeing!
The Poomsae competition was of equal high level of quality and excitement, everyone gave their all on the mat. Well done to every single participant!
Thank you to all those of you who helped: the Grand Masters at the judge tables, the referees and scorers, the parents and club members who helped set up, manage the tuck shop and the front desk, or run errands in the background, without you this wouldn’t have been possible. We’re a great family!
A final heartfelt thank you to everyone who travelled whether from near or far, some with great difficulty due to Covid restrictions, the stormy and icy weather, you came from all over England, Scotland, Ireland, Morocco, and even India! You truly made this the success it was. We are looking forward to seeing you again on 12-13 March 2022!
Team results:
POOMSAE
Single
🏆Yellow belt champion: Lina
🥇Gold
Yasmin, Lina, Thomas, Shahine, Zayd, Neil, Alastair, Safiya
🥈Silver
Ayah, Ridwan, Zaneb
🥉Bronze
Sumeyah, Sundus, Aliyah, Howard
Pair – kup grades
🥇Gold
Yasmin+Ayah
🥉Bronze
Ralph, Max
Triple
🥇Gold
Amal+Sundus+ Lina
🥈Silver
Yasmin + Ayah + Sumeyah
🥉Bronze
Thomas Ralph Max
Team
🥈Silver
Thomas, Max, Ralph, Amal, Sundus, Ridwan
🥉Bronze
Howard, Aliyah, Zaneb, Safiya
KYORUGI:
🥇Gold
Ridwan, Thomas, Samir, Aiden, Sorayah, Daryub, Neil, Shahine
🥈Silver
Ridwan, Aiden, Zaneb, Lina, Ralph , Yasmin, Ruben x 2
🥉Bronze
Max x2, Ralph, Ruben, Conrad
“A weekend we all needed obviously I’m proud of my guys but more important is the feedback from my peers about the etiquette shown respect and passion for our art. Thank you GM Mark Richardson you gave us all the opportunity to be a part of a true taekwondo / martial arts experience and to all the masters GM thank you for the unconditional friendship you have shown.” Master Derek Sumner
“What can I say, An incredible weekend of taekwondo in Manchester with an incredible bunch of people! Thank you soo much for looking after us GM Mark Richardson… we are truly honoured. Also thanks to the other Masters and GMs for showing us what true traditional values our beautiful art has to show.” Master Steve Graham
“Loved the weekend of Taekwondo at Manchester great bunch of people always make you welcome.” Master Phil James
Congratulations to all new Dan graduates!
Comments for each student by GM Mark Richardson
Classes in various venues across the West of Manchester and Salford have finally resumed!
Monday 21st June 2021 saw the return of MTS students to on-site training to the great pleasure of everyone from the youngest student to our dedicated instructor GM Mark Richardson. Most had managed to follow the classes online for the last 15 months and were very excited to be training again in the same physical space at last, enjoying kicking the mitt, kihaping loudly and simply having the space to jog and move around without hitting furniture in the process! It was also a pleasure to see how much everyone had progressed after training hard the whole year in unusual circumstances, focusing on specific technical drills.
Many students are continuing their training online, some having moved to another city or country, others working long hours or away, or having to self-isolate.
Welcome back everyone!
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First ever England Spring Online Poomsae Open took place on 22nd May 2021
Circumstances in the UK with the COVID pandemic meant that this spring again, we weren’t able to hold it usual two-day championship and so decided to offer many competitors from across the world to take part in an online Poomsae competition to give everyone something to work towards to, and keep them on their toes until we can all get back on the mats.
160 competitors from a dozen different countries from around the globe, Nepal, Ireland, Pakistan, Germany, Italy, Japan, India, Morocco, France, Portugal and of course the UK, sent in their videos and were judged by six high-ranking Masters from the UK.
Results were released on Saturday 22nd May 2021. All participants were sent a certificate of participation or of their medal ranking by email and their medals by post, as a nice souvenir of this exceptional event for everyone to cherish for years to come.
Congratulations to everyone who took part, whatever your result, you showed indomitable spirit and dedication to our beloved art!
Manchester Taekwondo Schools 