Scots athletes going for taekwondo gold

A SPORTS organisation is gearing up to host its biggest ever championships.

Taekwondo Scotland will stage their major contest in Motherwell next month, bringing more than 600 athletes together under one roof.

Held at the Ravenscraig sports facility, the world-class event has attracted top fighters who will be hoping to scoop gold medals on September 2 and 3.

Among those going for the top spot include many competitors from outside the UK, including those from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Holland, Germany, Ireland and Jordan.

Scottish competitors include Erin Shaw and Neve Hogg from Falkirk. Both girls have recently been selected to represent the UK at the European Championships in Hungary later this year and they will be out to make their mark on home soil.

Taekwondo Scotland Chairman Martin Hold, from Glasgow, said: “I’m delighted to say it’s the biggest taekwondo event our organisation has ever hosted and it promises to be a cracker.

“We’re attracting worldwide interest in our Championships because of the warm and friendly Scottish welcome athletes will receive and the excellent organisation by our officials. It’s going to be a wonderful weekend featuring some top class taekwondo athletes.”

Two taekwondo disciplines will be featured in the Championships.

The first day is given over to poomsae – a set of stances, blocks, punches and kicks logically arranged in response to attacks from multiple imaginary assailants.

Day two is kyorugi – fast, spectacular, thrilling combat as seen in the Olympic Games in which two athletes fight against each other using lightning-fast moves and spectacular kicks.

An army of enthusiastic volunteers from Scots club are to help ensure the event runs smoothly.