TWO Manx children have been selected for Team GB’s National Cadet Taekwondo squad for the first time.
Seven-year-old Nino Ontoy and Jez Ocampo were chosen after a seminar held by British Taekwondo Poomsae Chairman Master Derek Sumner at Onchan Primary School last weekend.
It is a dream come true for the Manx youngsters, who will be training with the rest of Team GB next year and representing the island in both European and international competitions.
Master Sumner, a 6th Dan and GB Team Gold Medalist at the 2008 National Poomsae Championships, had just returned from the World Poomsae Championships in Colombia and brought some members of his cadet team and senior squad for the weekend event.
Manx Taekwondo instructor Rod Nielsen, said: ‘It was a fantastic weekend with Team GB meeting all our Manx children, who performed magnificently and were a credit to the island.’
‘We had an amazing time and learned a lot’, said Jez, ‘it’s a dream come true, all our hard work has paid off’.
The weekend was part of Manx Taekwondo’s preparation for the British National Poomsae Championships in February, where the club will taking a team to represent the island.
‘I’m really proud of the team’, commented Nielson, ‘we have a lot of Manx talent and I’m hoping that by doing well at the Nationals, more of our local children can also get into the Team GB squad. I’m hoping that next year will be an amazing year for Manx Taekwondo Poomsae.’
Poomsae is a non-contact form of taekwondo comprising the performance of a pattern of stances, blocks, punches, strikes and kicks against imaginary opponents.
Manx Taekwondo has recently been appointed the Home Nations Branch of British Taekwondo on the Isle of Man. British Taekwondo is the UK’s governing body for the World Taekwondo Federation.
Huge thanks go to the parents and families who attended last weekend’s seminar for their massive support, Chillies restaurant for hosting the Team GB guests on Friday, and Calvin Fayle for sponsoring the awards and medals.
New members of any age are always welcome at Manx Taekwondo and anyone interested in attending a club session can contact Rod on 436181, or visit the club’s Facebook page.