2020 News Archive
Alleyne and Best-Smith Prepare for 2020 Official PanAm (Online) Poomsae Championships
17 December 2020 Bridgetown, BARBADOS - National Athletes Askia Alleyne and Liana Best-Smith have been selected to represent Barbados in the upcoming 2020 PanAm Poomsae Championships from 19-20 December 2020. The Official Championships is held for members of the Pan Am Taekwondo Union (PATU) and will be a live online format this year. Alleyne and Best-Smith are no strangers to representing Barbados but this time will be competing in the less customary Poomsae Event, which has been occasioned online by the COVID-19 pandemic. Alleyne and Best-Smith hail from the Taekwondo Warriors Club and Williams Taekwondo Dojang respectively, and have been preparing for the competition under the watch of Master Anthony Williams. Alleyne will compete in the Men's Under-40 Division, whilst Best-Smith will be competing in the Female Cadets Division. We wish the Team all the best! |
Two from Barbados Certified by WT as International Level I Para-Taekwondo Coaches
25 October 2020 Bridgetown, BARBADOS - Two persons from the Barbados MNA recently completed the International Coaching Certification for Para-Taekwondo Coaches issued by World Taekwondo. Mr. Henderson Turton and Ms. Lynora Hobbs successfully completed the examination following a three-day programme delivered Online. President Turton expressed the significance of this milestone as Barbados continues to take advantage of developmental opportunities usually only available offline, but facilitated by response to the global COVID-19 pandemic. He identified that it builds capacity for the Association and now opens the door for Para Athletes to have Coaches from Barbados attend with them at International G1-level Ranked Competitions. It has also helped to equip Coaches with greater understanding to facilitate training of Para Athletes of Taekwondo in pursuit of their dreams. The Licensing of Coaches is mandatory for entry at World Taekwondo competitions effective 1 January 2021. |
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Barbados Takes Part in Caribbean Beginner Referees Training Course held Online
24 October 2020 BRIDGETOWN, Barbados - The first Caribbean Beginner Referees Training Course held Online took place on 24 October 2020. Special thanks was given to MNA Presidents from around the region for making the event a reality. There were 82 registered participants from 17 countries including Barbados: Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Bahamas, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Curacao, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Haiti, Jamaica, Martinique, South Korea, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago. The event was hosted by Haiti Taekwondo Federation President Frenel Ostin - a certified World Taekwondo Poomsae and Kyorugi Referee. Barbados President Henderson Turton stated the event was informative, relevant, and well-presented. Further to indication from the recent TAB AGM he added that the Course was a great start for redevelopment at the regional level. The event was open to ranks from Adult Blue Belts and up. Barbados was represented in the course by four persons who successfully completed the Course and were awarded their certificates: Messrs. Adrian Burnett, Lynora Hobbs, Chioke Holder and Henderson Turton. The event was also attracted international media coverage, including from mastkd.com. |
Constitutional Amendment and Ratification of New Club Membership Among Major Business Conducted at 2020 AGM
15 October 2020 St. James, BARBADOS - The TAB 2020 Annual General Assembly was convened on 15 October 2020 at the National Cultural Foundation's premises in West Terrace, St. James. The following two major resolutions were passed at the meeting:
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Barbados Participates in Historic World Taekwondo Virtual General Assembly
6 October 2020 SEOUL, Korea - The largest general assembly in World Taekwondo history took place on 6 October 2020, with over 300 delegates from more than 137 countries. It was a historic, first ever, Virtual General Assembly of World Taekwondo and Barbados was represented by its President Mr. Henderson Turton. One of the major mentions from the GA was on governance in the Olympic movement by ASOIF President - Francesco Ricci Bitti. Following the 3rd ASOIF Governance survey World Taekwondo achieved an elevation to the A2 ranking, as it continues to outperform other Olympic International Federations. Only six (6) other Olympic IFs are ranked in the higher A1 Group. |
The Taekwondo Association of Barbados Joins the World Taekwondo Family in Mourning the Passing of WT Vice President, General Ahmed Fouly
1 October 2020 BRIDGETOWN, Barbados - The Taekwondo Association of Barbados joined the World Taekwondo Family in mourning the passing of World Taekwondo Vice President, General Ahmed Fouly. We extend condolences to his family and friends. May he rest in peace. |
NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Notice is given that the Taekwondo Association of Barbados will be hosting its Annual General Meeting [AGM] on Thursday 15 October 2020, 6:00 p.m. at the "Pannex" facility of the National Cultural Foundation, West Terrace, St. James. If your membership information is not current please contact your Club Head and the Secretary General at - info@taekwondobarbados.org. released via email 23 September 2020 |
Physical Classes Resume with Cautious Observation of CVD-19 Protocols
1 August 2020 After 4 months of only online classes, Robust Taekwondo Academy resumed Adult classes today, with close observation of COVID-19 Protocols. They joined Burnett Taekwondo Academy with the transition as the latter previously enacted a very controlled regimen for its students over the previous few weeks, whereby classes were still held online but a rotating fraction of students were allowed to be present to ensure safety was preserved. Taekwondo Warriors also resumed their classes in July, whilst Williams Taekwondo Dojang is expected to resume classes next Saturday 8 August 2020. |
Three Persons Qualify as Certified International Coaches for Barbados
31 JULY 2020 BRIDGETOWN, Barbados - Three Coaches of Taekwondo in Barbados recently earned their International Coaching Certifications from the World Taekwondo via its GMS Platform. Obtaining the Level I Qualification were Mr. Askia Alleyne and Mr. Adrian Burnett. They completed their programme over a two-day period 6-7 July and successfully passed the examination at the end. Their qualifications will allow them to Coach at all G1 and G2-ranked events Worldwide. Obtaining the Level II Qualification was Mr. Henderson Turton, who completed his programme over a four-day period which ran from 20-23 July and successfully passed the examination. That course was organised by World Taekwondo Europe and comprised 77 top level Coaches from 34 Countries all over the World. Other participating countries included: Oman, Germany, Saudi Arabia, USA, Japan, Aruba, Portugal, Libya, Belgium, Serbia, Brazil, Puerto Rico, Sweden, France, Jordan, Chile, Turkey, Russia, Somalia, Bahrain, Italy, Canada and Denmark. The Level II Certification allows the Coach to participate at ALL G-ranked Events globally for World Taekwondo except for the Olympic Games, which requires a special licence. President of the Association, Henderson Turton stated this was another significant step in furthering the development of the Sport in Barbados. He expressed his delight that Barbados now has three local options for Coaching at International Events worldwide, and stated "This is great news for local athletes, as it broadens the gate-opening for them to participate at high-level competitions, and are now even less likely to miss out on an opportunity due to unavailability of a Coach." Certification for Coaches will become mandatory for all countries wishing to compete at International G-ranked events from 1 January 2021. |
Athletes Participate in Online Seminars through National Olympic Academy
20 June 2020 BRIDGETOWN, Barbados - Developing National athletes recently represented Taekwondo in a series of online Educational Seminars hosted on Zoom by the Barbados Olympic Association through its National Olympic Academy. Darren Carter, Liana Best-Smith, Che Cave and Askia participated inter-alia in Seminars dealing with issues ranging from Anti-doping in Sports to Mental Health and Well-being. The latter was reported to provide great learning and covered areas such as Components of mental performance -focus, memory, concentration and decision-making; the Emotional Wheel; Relationships; Alphabet Games; Gestures; and even spent time discussing the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on athletes. Some athletes expressed happiness that the restrictions were finally being eased, as it was generally tough adjusting to living with the restrictions in some cases. |
Adrian Burnett Featured in National Newspaper
1 June 2020 BRIDGETOWN, Barbados - Taekwondo Association of Barbados Instructor, Mr. Adrian Burnett, was carried on a full-paged Feature of today's Nation Newspaper (a leading local Newspaper in Barbados). Kudos are extended to Mr. Burnett, who is the Chief Instructor of Burnett Taekwondo Academy as well as the UWI Cave Hill Blackbirds Taekwondo Programme. He is encouraged to continue his steady path in our beautiful Art Taekwondo. Click here to view and read the full article. |
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First Online Kyorugi Technical Training Seminar held by Taekwondo Association of Barbados Amidst COVID-19 Experience
15 May 2020 BRIDGETOWN, Barbados - Mr. Adrian Burnett led the first and quite a successful Online Kyorugi Technical Training Seminar for the Taekwondo Association earlier this evening. This followed his return from representing Barbados at the PASO-PATU Olympic Qualification Preparation Camp held earlier in the year in Dominican Republic. With a great vibe permeating the session everyone was paying rapt attention, and it proved to be a quality event with good instruction and facilitation. By all indications the participants enjoyed it - as any doubt was obviated by the several questions about when the next one will be! Participants ranged from as young as seven years old to Adult and representations were had from Burnett Taekwondo, UWI Taekwondo, Williams Taekwondo Dojang, Taekwondo Warriors and Robust Taekwondo Academy. President Turton stated 'the occasion itself was great for Taekwondo and practitioners in Barbados amidst the COVID-19 experience. It also shows how progressive the National Federation is, and has become. We need to keep building.' He also stated he hoped this event "will go a long way in supporting the modernization and uplift in the standard of play at the National Level, and as we continue to develop the Sport in this country". As a bonus, the session was recorded and shared with participants for their further benefit and future reference. The event was designed for Blue Belts and up. However interested persons of lower Ranks were allowed to participate. Members were encouraged to keep training and be on the alert for advice of the next Online Training Session of the National Federation. |
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Robust Taekwondo Academy Hosts Online Grading Examination
30 April 2020 BRIDGETOWN, Barbados - The Taekwondo Association's newest Member Club held the Association's first Online Grading and Promotion Examination for students. Congratulations are extended to the successful students from Robust Taekwondo Academy and their Instructor - Mr. Henderson Turton. Six persons took the Examination, with four of them being promoted to Green Belt, one to Yellow and one to Yellow-Tip. Mr. Turton expressed satisfaction with their progress and also that the students had the opportunity to be tested and rewarded for their continuous hard work, especially as some of them had increased their number of training sessions per week over the previous seven weeks in the face of the COVID-19 restrictions by making use of the Online Classes. He also mentioned that obvious adjustments had to be made to the usual in-person assessment methods. For example, students had satisfactorily demonstrated their Kyukpa abilities during Training sessions prior to the COVID-19 Lockdown and credit was given to them for their previous efforts. He also thanked Mr. Askia Alleyne of Taekwondo Warriors for assisting with the Examination. Congratulations were extended to successful Examinees on their promotions. |
Above is a report of President Turton's Interview with CBC Sports, which aired on 15 April 2020, regarding the impact of COVID-19 on Taekwondo in Barbados.
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Technology-Leveraging Enables continued and even Increased Taekwondo Training Amidst COVID-19 Pandemic
15 April 2020 BRIDGETOWN, Barbados - The Taekwondo Association of Barbados has ensured that Taekwondo activities have not ceased despite the restrictions brought about by the physical distancing and curfew limitations imposed at the National level in response to combatting the spread of the Coronavirus Pandemic. Whilst the Association has cancelled all events at the National level for the time-being, it will observe the Government of Barbados' guidance on resumption. In the meantime, technology will be utilised to ensure Taekwondo Training can continue safely. In an Interview with Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation - CBC Sports, President Turton revealed that some Member Clubs had activated online Training Classes since early March. To date at least three of the member Clubs hold their classes live online whereby the Instructors can observe and direct students in their training routines. This, he believes will help us to emerge stronger once things settle down. It may be considered testimony to the Indomitable Spirit of Taekwondo, as we continue to ensure we find ways to deliver on our raison d'être, despite the challenges imposed by the Pandemic. Any persons interested in doing Taekwondo may contact the Association and/ or its member clubs directly. |
Burnett Represents Barbados at PASO-PATU Training Camp ahead of Olympic Qualifiers
10 February 2020 SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic - Coach Adrian Burnett recently left Barbados to participate in the 2020 Pan American Sports Organisation (PASO) - Pan American Taekwondo Union (PATU) Training Camp in Dominican Republic. The Camp was convened to help regional countries with development training in their preparations for the Olympic Qualifiers later this year and beyond. The Camp runs for one week and is an excellent opportunity for Taekwondo in Barbados. Mr Burnett heads the UWI BlackBirds Taekwondo Club as well as the Burnett Taekwondo Academy. He is the second Club Head from Barbados to participate in such training over the last tw0 years and we look forward to this serving well in the continued development our Taekwondo in Barbados, as Mr. Burnett shares his knowledge with charges, athletes, peers and other stakeholders . |
Taekwondo Warriors host an Outdoor Fundraiser
1 February 2020 FITTS VILLAGE, St. James - Members of the Taekwondo Warriors Club undertook the first activity in a series of activities to raise funds for their Club to further its development on Saturday 1st February 2020. The Cake Sale and Car Wash took place outside Jordan's Supermarket in Fitt's Village, St. James. Efforts were underway to help Club Members make a trip to compete in Puerto Rico later in the year. Gratitude was expressed to the Management of the Supermarket, Roberts Manufacturing Co. Ltd for its support, all the patrons and others who supported the Club in its efforts to continue providing structured activity to members of the community and opportunities for achievement and development through Taekwondo. |
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4th Annual "Get Ya Feet Wet" Competition Kicks Off 2020
26 January 2020 BRIDGETOWN, Barbados - A small cadre of athletes participated in the fourth edition of the Annual "Get Ya Feet Wet" Competition. The event took place at the Girl Guides Head Quarters in Bridgetown and featured competitions in Kyorugi and Poomsae. This was the earliest start to the competition calendar of events in recent times, with this year's competition starting two weeks earlier than the previous year's event and really getting a jump-start to events following the Holiday Break. Participants were challenged to overcome the sluggishness temptations following the Holiday break and those who took part made a good showing of themselves. As the year draws closer to the Olympics it is anticipated that the level of excitement will continue to rise with further opportunities and events to come! |