Meath Open 2016
Shae Yambao wowed the crowd with his high scoring antics in Pee Wee -23kg
South Dublin Taekwondo Team were in action on Saturday 2nd April in Ashbourne, Co. Meath, at one of the clubs main local events of the year. The club fielded 30 athletes from grass roots to experienced in the event which boasted over 220 Olympic Taekwondo fighters from around the country. The event was identified by the club as a good first event for many beginners who went along for their first taste of competitive Taekwondo, many of whom have now overcome the nerves of the first event. Club Coach Robert Taaffe noted, ‘The local events are so much fun for the club, it is great to see the first timers get their first taste of competition, and typically all of the little ones go home with smiles on their faces after the event. With no head contact allowed for beginner pee-wees & children this event is a nice way to get them started’. On the day SDTKD fielded entrants in all aged categories from per wee to veteran which represented the clubs diverse student body very well. Some of the competitive highlights would include the gold medal victory of Sabrina Burke, a new comer to the sport who clinically won her match with high point scoring spinning kicks; it was a family affair for the Nugent family where father & sons Alan, Adam & Ben all medalled in their respective divisions, greatest honours going to Adam who secured gold in both his intermediate division and the advanced division in Junior -55kg. At the advanced end of the spectrum, David Phelan was crowned Champion in his cadet -45kg division beating his finalist opponent with a clinical TKO, and arguably the kick of the tournament, Nasim Kourrini also secured a gold medal for the team winning his -48kg junior division in an exciting bout that went all the way to overtime, where Nasim scored the valuable first point. Coach Taaffe concluded, ‘I am very happy with the teams performance, not only the athletic performance, but the officials, helpers, fairly members and club supporters were immense on the day and from the perspective of the coaches who were on duty on the day, myself, Dylan & Jamilah, it is heart warming to see our coaching efforts yield such a good day out for the team.’ SDTKD Club won the overall team honours being crowned Meath Open Champions, a title which they have now held consecutively each year since their first time winning in 2010.
Some of the event Squad pictured with their silverware