Spanish Open 2015
South Dublin Tarkwondo Academy traveled to the WTF G-1 Ranking Spanish Open in Pontevedra in the north-west of Spain on April 10-11th. The event had full electronic scoring including electronic head protectors, and video replay available to all competitors. We invited a number of students who currently fit our club minimum criteria and were delighted that 2 players accepted the invitation to travel – players Aoibhe Thornton making her ranking event debut, and Jack Woolley who travelled with a group of 10 people including other ITU players, coaches, parents and SDTKD / ETU Coaches Niamh Buffini & Robert Taaffe. The travelling team were delighted to travel and mix alongside a great group from other Irish Taekwondo Union clubs where a strong presence from the Irish was felt throughout the weekend. Day 1 saw Aoibhe, who holds a 2nd Dan take part in her first international ranking event in the -52kg Junior division to assist in the development of the upcoming 15 year old junior. Aoibhe took a lead throughout round 1 in her first outing against Spanish opposition, but unfortunately did not progress through the first match as her opponent overturned the lead in the final rounds. Jack, whilst still a junior did not compete on day 1 as he was advised to enter the senior event to assist his ranking position and development. I the -54kg senior division jack had a 5 match challenge to get to the final. In round 1 he met a Spanish Player Miguel Cobas Lopez in the first match of the day.
Jack progressed through finishing the match early by the ’12 point gap’ rule which means the match is ended should 12 points or greater occur at the end of 2nd round or later. Final score was 18-5. This victory led to a collision course with the no. 1 seed in the division, Hussein Sherrif of Egypt who was currently ranked no. 3 in the world. Jack managed to continue the momentum of his first match in an inspired performance to beat one of the best in world by the ’12 point gap’ rule, ending with a score of 20-8. In the quarter finals jack once again drew against Spain, this time Juan Andrés Rodruigez Lopez, and pulled off his third consecutive 12 point gap early finish beating him 13-1. Now with at least a bronze medal secure, in the Semis Jack faced Adrian Jiminzez Dos Santos of Spain in a much more tense outing with more on the line for all players concerned. A very mature performance led to a 16-8 victory sending young Woolley, 16, through to the final against Spanish favourite, word number 4 and youth Olympic Silver Medalist Jesus Tortosa. The final match ended 16-9 in he favour of the Spaniard who gave Jack a taste of his own medicine. The Madrid based player towered over the division, his long legs and slight frame are proving an enormously difficult arrangement to overcome and any game plan from Jack and Coach Robert Taaffe could not outplay the range of the local gold medalist. This was Jacks third senior ranking event outing this year, where he now has picked up ranking points at each and 2 valuable medals.
Coach noted, ‘I am delighted Aoibhe made her 1st step up to this level as it is representing a time in our club and it is hopeful that others will follow her and ramp up their training and objectives to the next level.’ ‘It was great to have so many Irish away supporting each other at the one event with representation from clubs Junsa, Ayrfield and Peak Performance alongside our own duo. Things were really positive and looking bright for the future.’ ‘Things seem to be going to plan, we are improving kicking and match play and clinching WTF ranking points at these top level outings, which we hope ultimately puts Jack in a good starting position at a major event in the not too distant future. Today a good strong silver was achieved where Jack defeated substantial World Ranked players and finished ahead of current European Champions. Until the final match he never was behind in points which is very enthusing as he has stamped a dominance in the ring.’
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