Sunday 15th December came the FINAL Colour Belt Grading of 2019 for the West Midlands TAGB Tae Kwon-Do group – and it did not disappoint.
The local grading, hosted at the Portway Lifestyle Centre – Oldbury, commenced with over 80 hopeful’s, all waiting to see whether they could be promoted to the next grade. And, not to any instructors surprise, West Midlands TAGB Tae Kwon-Do students achieved a 100% success rate. AS WELL AS 2 SENIOR BEST IN GRADE AWARDS!
West Midlands TAGB Grading’s are carried out by Grand Master Paul Donnelly (9th Degree Black Belt) and through set routines students showcase their best work in technical applications, technical line work, patterns, set sparring and free sparring.
On the day Ellen Bishop (who trains with instructor Warren Didlock, 3rd Degree Black Belt) and Antonio Stefan (who trains with instructor World Master Vince Farquharson, 7th Degree Black Belt) managed to snatch the attention of Grand Master Donnelly – and snatch the trophies of Best in Grading.
Antonio and Ellen were both grading to complete their white belt grade and be promoted to yellow tag (9th Kup) – their first ever grading. So for not 1, but 2 trophies to be given out as Best in Grading for their first ever grading – this following on from Reece Howard getting the Best in Grade award in September – shows the courage and determination in West Midlands Tae Kwon-Do beginners.
Instructor Warren Didlock, who teaches Willenhall and Bilston TAGB Tae Kwon-Do clubs commented; “I am extremely impressed by Ellen, and all my other students who were promoted. The standards of each grading just keep getting better and better and my club and students are living up to these standards every day. Ellen trains with her husband and son – who were also both successful in their latest grading, and I am delighted to be able to present this trophy. Ellen first come to me unsure whether to begin training or not, I am so proud of her Integrity, Perseverance and Indomitable Spirit. For a beginner, she is showing all the right traits to become an outstanding martial artist.”
Senior instructor World Master Vince Farquharson added; “All students showed the Tae Kwon-Do morals and values we continually promote. This year has been very successful for West Midlands TAGB Tae Kwon-Do with our pass rates being at maximum and our students holding higher and higher standards every time. We hope to continue this through 2020. I would like in particular to give credit to the amazing team of instructors I have around me – you make these gradings possible and the standards of instructing is phenomenal. ANYONE can teach someone else how to punch and kick – our instructors teach key fitness, lifestyle and educational wellbeing.”
