Profile of a World Champion - Stuart Maden

Stuart Maden receives his gold medal for Junior Male Power at the 2009 World Champs.

This is part of a series of articles profiling our Kiwi world champions who achieved so much success for New Zealand at the 2009 World Champs in Argentina

TKDAction: What year did you start TKD training and what was the name of the club and your instructor?

SM: I Started training AT United Taekwon–Do club in 1996 with Blair Martin as my instructor.

TKDAction: When did you get your black belt and what was your club and instructor?

SM: I got my black belt in May 2006 whilst still training with Blair Martin at the same club.

TKDAction: Which international events have you attended and what were your achievements at each?

SM: 2006 Junior World Champs, Tegucigalpa, Honduras
- My first world champs and I got no medals but still had a great trip and great experience.


Slide show of Stuart training and competing at the 2006 Junior World Champs in Honduras (30)...

2007 World Champs (Junior), Quebec, Canada
- Gold in Team Power
- Bronze in pre-arranged sparring (partnered with David Burr)


Slide show of Stuart training for the 2007 World Champs in Quebec, Canada (52)...


Slide show of Stuart at the 2007 World Champs in Quebec, Canada (52)...

2009 World Champs (Junior), Mar Del Plata, Argentina
- Gold in Power
- Gold in Team Power
- Bronze in Team Specialty


Stuart training for the 2009 World Champs in Mar Del Plata, Argentina (52)...


Stuart performing at the 2009 World Champs in Mar Del Plata, Argentina (47)...

TKDAction: What were your goals for the 2009 World Champs?

SM: My goals were to win everything I was entered in and I knew that our team had a good chance to do so. Sparring was a little harder being honest as we are not as strong in this and by then we did not have Shane Black (injured in individual sparring) to help.

TKDAction: Can you describe how you felt when you stood on the podium and had received your gold medal?

SM: So hard a question! It was a big mixture of feelings. Relief was one, after so much training and hard work and all the things in the year, like finishing school and personal problems. It was a relief, felt like the world had been taken off my shoulders. I was PROUD to have done this for my country and for myself. I felt like a little power god haha! But I was still focused on winning other events so I guess I didn’t get to indulge in my success. As for the team medals, I just felt very proud of all the boys, especially in power as we had to all step up at the last second and do what we do. They make me proud.

TKDAction: What were some of the challenges you had to overcome to compete at the world champs?

SM: I found I didn’t get enough time to train just before I left as I had too much work but through the years it was hard trying to manage work, school and training. It is a lot for someone my age but I always somehow managed to have some good weekend times. Playing chess (LOL) on Friday night with friends, you just manage to do it somehow. You just have to plan stuff.

When I say YOU that means your mum/dad. Thank your parents for helping you because when you are older you won’t have them to help you the same.

TKDAction: What would your message be to a young junior who you thought was good enough to trial. What would you say to them to encourage them?

SM: I would say to the young ones that is not so much about the medals or the outcome. The most important thing is to enjoy your journey and the good times and listen and watch. Pay a lot of attention to people, you learn more that way and keep training hard.

You never know, you could be a World Champ one day just like me!

Profile of a World Champion - Jeremy Hanna

Jeremy Hanna receives his gold medal for Junior Male 3rd Degree Patterns at the 2009 World Champs. He also won gold in the same event at the 2008 World Cup in Italy.

This is part of a series of articles profiling our Kiwi world champions who achieved so much success for New Zealand at the 2009 World Champs in Argentina

TKDAction: What year did you start TKD training and what was the name of the club and your instructor?

JH: I began Taekwon-Do at my primary school in Ellerslie, under Mr Billie Little, 1st dan black belt in Rhee Taekwon-Do - so I didn't start with ITF.

TKDAction: When did you get your black belt and what was your club and instructor?

JH: I was awarded my 1st dan black belt in Rhee Taekwon-Do when I was 10 and still training under Mr Billie Little in my primary school hall. My first ITF black belt was my 2nd dan black belt which I received whilst training at Nibun Central when I was 14. I graded to 3rd dan when I was 16 training under my coaches Mark Trotter and Carl van Roon.


The Hanna family the day Jeremy and brother Mark received their black belts, 13 October 2002. They're not the only ones who look much younger!

TKDAction: Which international events have you attended and what were your achievements at each?

JH: 2006 Junior World Champs, Tegucigalpa, Honduras
- My first world champs. I competed in 2nd degree patterns and middleweight sparring.


Slide show of Jeremy competing at the 2006 Junior World Champs in Honduras (30)...

2007 World Champs (Junior), Quebec, Canada
- I competed in 6 events
- Silver in 2nd Degree Patterns
- Gold in Team Power
- Silver in Team Patterns
- Silver in Team Special Technique


Slide show of Jeremy training and performing at the 2007 World Champs in Quebec, Canada (137)...

2007 US Open, Orlando, Florida
- I was part of the NZ Team which competed in the US Open

2008 World Cup, Riva Del Garda, Italy
- Gold in Junior 3rd Degree Patterns


Jeremy training and performing at the 2008 World Cup in Riva Del Garda, Italy (49)...

2009 World Champs (Junior), Mar Del Plata, Argentina
- Captained the Junior Male Team
- Gold in 3rd Degree Patterns
- Silver in Heavyweight Sparring
- Gold in Team Power
- Bronze in Team Specialty
- Tied for best overall Junior Male with a competitor from the USA


Jeremy training and performing at the 2009 World Champs in Mar Del Plata, Argentina (150)...

TKDAction: What were your goals for the 2009 World Champs?

JH: My goal was to win the gold in both of my individual events - patterns and sparring, and also to lead my team to become the best overall junior male team.

TKDAction: Can you describe how you felt when you stood on the podium and had received your gold medal?

JH: Standing on the podium made me want to train harder and longer so that I would not only stand there that one time - but to completely dominate my division in the future so that the number one spot would mine year after year.

TKDAction: What were some of the challenges you had to overcome to compete at the world champs?

JH: I have been lucky, I haven't had too many setbacks so far - a few injuries here and there but nothing too major.

TKDAction: What would your message be to a young junior who you thought was good enough to trial. What would you say to them to encourage them?

JH: You can't just to go to the world champs to say that you have been - you have to be hungry and believe that you can be number one.

Photos from Impact 'Ring Time' Interclub Tournament

Impact's 'Ring Time' Interclub Tournament was held today. It was a real family affair with exciting one point sparring followed by continuous sparring which we all enjoyed. I went mad taking over 2,000 images amongst the hi-speed action hoping to get a few classic high-impact shots :)

Here are my Pick of the Pix (34)...

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And there are a selection of shots of the whole tournament (530)...

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Profile of a World Champion - Luke Thompson

Luke Thompson receives his 3rd World Championship gold medal for power.

This is part of a series of articles profiling our Kiwi world champions who achieved so much success for New Zealand at the 2009 World Champs in Argentina

TKDAction: What year did you start TKD training and what was the name of the club and your instructor?

Luke: I started training in 1994 in Waiuku under Mr Browine Kingi. The club was not an ITFNZ branch at the time.

TKDAction: When did you get your black belt and what was your club and instructor?

Luke: I received my black belt in still under Mr Browine Kingi, under ITFNZ. The club joined ITFNZ in 1995.

TKDAction: Which international events have you attended and what were your achievements at each?

Luke: 2001 12th World Championships – Rimini, Italy
- No placing, but was an eye opener on what to expect and how to train and set high standards for next time

2005 14th World Championships – Dortmund, Germany
- Silver in Individual Powerbreaking
- Bronze in Team Powerbreaking


Luke at the 2005 World Champs. Image: ITFNZ website

2007 – 15th World Championships – Quebec, Canada
- Gold in Pre-arranged Sparring
- Gold in Individual Powerbreaking
- Bronze in Team Patterns
- Bronze in Team Powerbreaking


Luke at the 2007 World Champs in Quebec

Slide show of Luke's buildup and performance in the 2007 World Championships (57)...

2008 – 3rd World Cup – Riva Del Garda, Italy
- Gold in Pre-arranged Sparring


Luke and Mark Trotter training for the 2008 World Cup in Reva Del Garda, Italy.

Slide show of Luke's buildup and performance in the 2008 World Cup (58)...

2009 – 16th World Championships – Mar Del Plata, Argentina
- Gold in Individual Powerbreaking
- Silver in Pre-arranged Sparring
- Silver in Team Power Breaking


Luke at the 2009 World Champs.

Slide show of Luke's buildup and performance in the 2009 World Championships (92)...

TKDAction: What were your goals for the 2009 World Champs?

Luke: My goals were to compete well and have no regrets. Winning Individual and coming 2nd in Pre Arranged and Team Power were just added bonuses.

TKDAction: Can you describe how you felt when you stood on the podium and had received your gold medal?

Luke: The first time it’s a surreal feeling you have so many emotions running through you, friends and family, the road you have taken to get you here. Then there’s a real sense of pride of your accomplishment.

TKDAction: What were some of the challenges you had to overcome to compete at the world champs?

Luke: The biggest challenge was finding a balance between home life, work and training. Having to train so much to improve and be ready but not so I have no time for my family or neglecting my duties at work or running Academy. My friends and social life just had to take a back seat.

TKDAction: What would your message be to a young junior who you thought was good enough to trial. What would you say to them to encourage them?

Luke: Remember who got you started. Thank those that help and support you. Train hard but don’t obsess over it. Take your knocks with pride as they help foster the competitor you will be come. It’s not an easy road but why would you do it if it was going to be. Be humble and enjoy what you do. The last thing I would say is to leave everything in the ring - don’t walk out and think “what if.....?”. At the end of the day it’s a tournament.

IIC Closing - download your high resolution photos

High resolution group and club photos with Grand Masters Hector Marano, Pablo Trajtenberg and Wim Bos are availble on the link below. They're 3.5 to 6 MB in size each. You can download them directly by following these instructions:

1. Click on the link below this list to open the Album in a new browser window
2. Click on the thumbnail of the photo that you wish to download to show a large version of it
3. Above the image there are a number of buttons, click on the Download button
4. From the download dialogue box that opens, select Save file
5. Select the folder on your computer to download the photo to
6. Click on Save.

IIC Closing Photo Album Link

If you have trouble, I suggest getting a teenager to help :-)

My apologies for some of the images not being as sharp as they should be :-(



Cheers
Doug

Master Daher grades to 8th degree at IIC

Master Daher graded to 8th degree last night at the 50th ITF IIC. Here are a few pictures of his grading (28)...

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Congratulations Master Daher!

Mr Peter Barbour from Perth grades to Master (7th degree) at IIC

Mr Peter Barbour from Perth, Australia, graded to Master (7th degree) at the 50th ITF IIC last night. Here are a few pictures of Master Barbour's grading (33)...

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Congratulations Master Barbour!

Congratulations to Master James Rimmer

New Zealand has a new Master, Master James Rimmer. Master Rimmer graded to Master level (7th degree) tonight after performing in front of three international Grand Masters; Grand Master Hector Marano, Grand Master Pablo Trajtenberg and Grand Master Master Wim Bos.

Photos of Master Rimmer's grading (35)...

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IIC Opening and Images from the Grading

I was invited to take photos of the 50th ITF IIC (International Instructors Course) opening ceremony this morning and grading tonight.

A highlight was Master Wim Bos receiving Grand Master Status at the opening:


Photos from the Opening this morning (35)...

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And I took a few training photos then lots of the grading (294)...

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Profile of a World Champion - Carolina Dillen

Carolina Dillen receiving her 1st dan patterns Gold medal at the 2009 World Champs

This is part of a series of articles profiling our Kiwi world champions who achieved so much success for New Zealand at the 2009 World Champs in Argentina

TKDAction: What year did you start TKD training and what was the name of the club and your instructor?

CD: I started training in 1997 at Baradene Taekwon-Do Club when I was 13 years old, under Mr. Andrew Niven, who is now one of the coaches of the German National Team.

TKDAction: When did you get your black belt and what was your club and instructor?

CD: After a few years of recovering from injuries and ill health I finally graded to my black belt in November 2002. Mr. Andrew Niven was still my instructor however I had moved from Baradene, which was a school club, to the main club, Mt. Albert.

TKDAction: Which international events have you attended and what were your achievements at each?

CD:
2003 World Championships in Poland:
- Gold Medal in Female Team Power Breaking

Carolina in the power breaking team. Photos: ITFNZ Website


2004 European Championships:
- Bronze Medal in Female Team Patterns
- Bronze Medal in Female Team Special Technique
- Bronze Medal in Female Team Power Breaking
- Bronze Medal in Female Team Sparring

2007 – 15th World Championships – Quebec, Canada
- Bronze Medal in Individual 1st Dan Patterns
- Bronze Medal in Female Team Patterns
- Bronze Medal in Female Team Special Technique


Carolina at the 2007 World Champs.

Slide show of Carolina's buildup and performance in the 2007 World Championships.

2008 – 3rd World Cup – Riva Del Garda, Italy
- Gold Medal in 1st Dan Patterns
- Silver Medal in -58kg Sparring
- Tied for Best Overall Female with competitor from Finland


Carolina on her way to her silver medal for sparring at the World Cup.

Slide show of Carolina's buildup and performance in the 2008 World Cup.

2009 – 16th World Championships – Mar Del Plata, Argentina
- Gold Medal in 1st Dan Patterns
- Bronze Medal in -58kg Sparring
- Tied for Best Overall Female with competitor from Belgium


Carolina competing at the 2009 World Champs.

Slide show of Carolina's buildup and performance in the 2009 World Championships.

Other International Tournaments Attended:
- General Choi Cup
- Oceania Championships
- London Open
- Impact Open
- Italian Open
- Belgium Open
- Czech Open.

TKDAction: What were your goals for the 2009 World Champs?

CD: My goals for the 2009 World Champs were to win a Gold Medal in Individual Patterns and to place in the Top 3 for Individual -58kg Sparring, which would put me in the running for Best Overall Female.

TKDAction: Can you describe how you felt when you stood on the podium and had received your gold medal?

CD: You can’t believe it’s happening and at the same time are trying to soak it all in. I was looking for familiar faces in the crowd as I stood there. People don’t normally wave on the podium but when I spotted my parents far away in the distance I had to wave to them. It was their first time seeing me competing internationally or in fact at all and I was very happy that they could be there. I also saw several of my coaches, the ones who had helped me at the beginning of my career as well as more recent coaches and their smiles were as big as mine. Of course it was their achievement as well; I couldn’t have done it without the help of these inspiring people.

TKDAction: What were some of the challenges you had to overcome to compete at the world champs?

CD: There are always so many challenges to competing at the world champs. Generally speaking it’s always getting enough money to go and balancing other aspects of life such as studies and work. The 2009 build up for me was very challenging. I was completing my postgraduate studies at the University of Auckland, which required a huge time commitment and I had an injury throughout the year that began to trouble me more and more until it became almost impossible to train.

TKDAction: What would your message be to a young junior who you thought was good enough to trial. What would you say to them to encourage them?

CD: If this is your dream and your passion, go for it. Don’t let anything stand in your way. If you think the people who made it had it easy, they didn’t. Everyone has their own obstacles and challenges to face along the way, but the ones that make it are the ones that don’t ever give up. And once you reach your goal, all the hard work will feel 100% worth it.