EIGHT students from Elite Taekwon-Do NI, Bangor, were declared Ulster Champions at the prestigious martial arts competition last weekend.
Instructor Dean Pritchard led the way, coming out of his retirement from competing to win the gold medal in sparring.
Erine Kurian, a Belfast student, gained the title of triple Ulster champion as she earned gold medals in patterns and two different sparring categories.
Meanwhile, Bangor’s Toby Chromy and Ruby Catherwood, from Maghera, were both made double Ulster champions, securing golds in both patterns and sparring.
The Elite students fought off tough competition, with 18 clubs from across Ireland attending the tournament in Newry Leisure Centre, organised and hosted by Cathal Fegan Schools of Taekwon-Do.
Also earning the titles of Ulster champion, were Kristians Frisbergs and Ciaran Óg Heaney, in patterns, and Parker Pritchard and Alex Aszalos, in sparring.
Alex, Ciaran Óg and Parker brought home additional medals, adding one silver and two bronzes to their collections respectively. They were joined in the medal count by Tom Caddoo, with two silvers, and Alfie Douglas and Koray Ansin, with a silver each.
Cillian Brehony secured two bronze medals and Charlotte Andrews and AJ Bojthe-Aszalos both earned bronze in their sparring bouts.
Narrowly missing out on medals, but earning valuable experience, were Ollie Tew and Conal Heaney. Conal completed the Belfast marathon on May 3 and was still recovering from a knee injury.
Instructor and head coach Dean Pritchard was overjoyed with the results: “To bring home 23 medals with a team of 16 was an amazing achievement and a testament
to how hard these young people work.
“Their effort in preparing for these championships was a joy to watch. The commitment and tenacity of all the competitors is a great source of pride for me as their coach, and I was honoured to lead by example at this great competition.”
Elite Taekwon-Do NI currently holds classes in the Aurora Leisure Complex, Bangor, and
Girdwood Community Hub, Belfast. Anyone interested in joining the club can make contact on social media, at www.elitetaekwondoni.com, or by calling/texting 07825 235480.
