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Recent News
Above, Chioke Holder, Bryce Turton and Kristin Turton pose with their medals as they stand with their Coach Mr. Henderson Turton
Above is Bryce Turton (green belt) on the attack against his opponent as the referee looks on. Below, Kristin Turton finishes strongly in her Koryeo Poomsae performance on her way to Gold.
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Successful International Outing for Robust Taekwondo Academy at Dallas Fort Worth Championships - Day 2
20 March 2022 TEXAS, USA - A team from the Robust Taekwondo Academy in Barbados went to the Dallas International Open Championships and competed well in both Kyorugi and Poomsae, earning medals in the process. According to Coach Henderson Turton, the objective of the trip was to earn valuable and meaningful international experience - anything else was bonus. Indeed there were a number of bonuses. Bryce Turton competed well on debut in the Dragons 6-7 Intermediate division and even earned his way to a Bronze medal following a 17-7 result in his semi-final bout. According to his Coach, "Bryce did well because he did exactly what we trained and discussed and stuck to the game plan in executing his movements. That was most impressive and encouraging to me given his age, and especially given it was his first International Championships." In the Men's Kyorugi Heavyweight division, Chioke Holder adjusted well over the previous day and executed far better in his matchup. Indeed it was so closely contested that the scores were level at 3-3 by the end of regulation time. Following a rejected Coach's appeal for a punch point to Holder right before the end of regulation, the match proceeded to the golden-point round, where Holder was edged into second place due to his opponent scoring first. It was highly exciting and enjoyed by the crowd who were watching intensely and cheered loudly at the match quality. In the Women's Under 40 Advanced Poomsae competition, Kristin Turton put on a very good showing and attracted an average score of 7.23 from the panel of International Referees. According to Coach Turton that score was one of the most pleasing things because it allowed her calibration and realization on debut at the international level having put in significant work at home in Barbados, but having only had local competition previously. Now she has a clearer idea how her techniques compare internationally. This trip was quite a significant occurrence since it represented the first time in several years that a Club from the Association had travelled overseas on its own to compete. Mr. Turton expressed his deep satisfaction at the overall experience for his Team which he reckons will carry a long way into their development individually and both at club and (inter)national level. |
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Holder earns Bronze at Dallas Fort Worth International Championships - Day 1
19 March 2022 TEXAS, USA - Chioke Holder had a relatively successful outing as he competed on Day 1 for Barbados in the Men's Kyorugi Senior Black Belts division of the Dallas International Championships. He ultimately earned a bronze medal after an 11-17 result in the semi-final round. However, Coach Henderson Turton was more focused on the successes in the learning and development aspect. "We came here for experience and we gained some of that. We also learned a lot having reflected on the day". |
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Taekwondo at BOA-CSF Youth Programme
12 March 2022 BRIDGETOWN, Barbados - Taekwondo was featured on consecutive Saturdays during the Youth Programme of the Barbados Olympic Association (BOA) and Commonwealth Sport Foundation (CSF). Mr. Askia Alleyne and Mr. Henderson Turton underwent Safeguarding Training ahead of the programme and delivered a very impactful experience for the participants. Taekwondo Sparring and Breaking techniques in particular were used to challenge participants to achieve. During delivery the synergy between the Olympic core values and the core tenets of Taekwondo were highlighted as the respective values were instilled. Participants received great satisfaction from writing the opposite/ bad habits on their piece of wood/ board and smashing them with their hands by utilising taught Taekwondo techniques as they made a commitment to overcome the various negativities in their pursuit of excellence. Director of the National Olympic Academy, Ms Vaneisha Cadogan commended the Association on the excellent delivery of content by the Instructors during the Taekwondo segment and felt that it was well-received by participants who appear highly likely to keep what they learnt with them for use long after the program. |
Above, Kristin Turton stands between Chioke Holder and Instructor Henderson Turton as Mr. Askia Alleyne of the Association's Technical Committee looks on.
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Two New Dans for Taekwondo in Barbados
26 Feb 2022 ST. GEORGE, Barbados - The Taekwondo Association of Barbados has two new Black Belts! They are Mrs. Kristin Turton and Mr. Chioke Holder. They are both members of Robust Taekwondo Academy and earned their way under Chief Instructor Mr. Henderson Turton. In congratulating them, Mr. Turton expressed his delight for what they have achieved, pointing to their dedication and hard work - particularly finding ways to train and maintain their commitment during the challenging COVID-19 pandemic times. He said they were thoroughly tested. He also thanked Mr. Alleyne for assisting with the Examination. Mr. Alleyne in turn said he was impressed and congratulated them both, whilst providing feedback. When also congratulated by clubmates Mrs. Turton stated "It was super intense, even after this 2 1/2 year journey, but Mr. Holder and I put excellent use to that indomitable spirit and persevered all the way to the end! Challenges galore!" Mr. Holder said he felt really good even though some aspects were pretty rough. "That was a really good challenge! I am tiiirred now... but I feel good! Both students also found a moment to congratulate their Instructor for his first two Black Belts and thanked him for getting them to this point. |
Above, Master of Ceremonies pulls up the video for announcement of the next competitor Che Wiltshire of Taekwondo Titans in the Under 40 Adult's Advanced category, whilst below, the Judges are seen in review.
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5th Annual Get Ya Feet Wet Championships is Virtual featuring Online Poomsae Competition
12 Feb 2022 BRIDGETOWN, Barbados - The Annual Get Ya Feet Wet Championships returned this year with a difference. Normally the Association's first competition on the calendar, this year's edition was virtual amidst the pervading pandemic and featured an Online Poomsae. The format required pre-recorded videos but with live Judging via Zoom, as participants and officials logged into Zoom platform to make the event happen. Judges assessed each video for each category, then entered and posted their respective scores for live viewing by those in attendance. This gave the feeling of live competition and the scores were pretty close in some categories. Overall results can be seen here. When it was over, President Turton expressed how pleased he was with the event and declared the tremendous significance of it as another testimony to our Indomitable Spirit and perseverance during these trying times of the COVID-19 pandemic. He went on to mention "We don't have the resources to pay for better technology like what would be used in the more developed countries, but we were able to have the same effect by using our creativity and skill to give the athletes something to aim for and reward them". Taekwondo was one of few national federations to have convened a Sporting competition during these times, and some athletes earned and received a medal for the first time in their lives! Everyone truly 'got their feet wet' as the athletes shook off rust and even the Judges and organisers overcame teething challenges in convening this type of event for the first time. |
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Alleyne and Best-Smith receive their Kukkiwon Certificates
30 Dec 2021 ST. JAMES , Barbados - Mr. Askia Alleyne and Miss Liana Best-Smith collected their respective 1st Dan and 1st Poom Kukkiwon Certificates from President Turton at the Joint meeting of Clubheads and Council. 'It was a while in coming but you finally have them, congratulations'. That was the message from President Turton as he presented them with their Certificates and Identification cards. Kukkiwon is the World Taekwondo Head Quarters and their certification is the standard for International recognition in Taekwondo. Mr. Alleyne was especially grateful to receive his certificate. With a hint of emotion Alleyne said, "This means a lot to me. It has been seventeen years since I did my first Black Belt Grading. I finally have my Kukkiwon". Mr. Alleyne is the Chief Instructor and Founder of the Taekwondo Warriors Club and presently holds the rank of 3rd Dan in Barbados. Best-Smith was also happy to receive her certification, having earned and held the Rank of Black Belt for the past three years. She has been practising Taekwondo since she was five years old and is a member of the Williams Taekwondo Dojang. |
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Annual Joint Meeting of Club Heads and the Executive Council
30 Dec 2021 ST. JAMES, Barbados - The Annual Joint Meeting of Clubheads and Executive Council members was held on 30 December 2021 at the "Pannex" of the National Cultural Foundation in West Terrace St. James. It was a hybrid meeting as some persons made use of the available technology to still participate though not being physically present amidst the prevailing pandemic conditions. The meeting successfully secured two main outcomes: 1. Outlining of the 2022 Calendar of Events for Taekwondo in Barbados 2. Framing agreement on the Strategic Objectives for the development of Taekwondo over the next Quadrennial |
Above, students from Robust Taekwondo Academy pose with their Belts and Certificates.
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Students Advance at Taekwondo Warriors and Robust Taekwondo Academy
Dec 2021 BRIDGETOWN, Barbados - Congratulations are extended to students from the clubs of Taekwondo Warriors and Robust Taekwondo Academy who were successful and promoted at their recent Grading Examinations. Students earned and were rewarded with their respective Yellow Belts, Green Belts, Blue tips and Blue Belts after persevering at their Training both online and outdoors in-person during these challenging Pandemic times. |
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Appointment to WT Member Development Committee
10 Nov 2021 BRIDGETOWN, Barbados - The Association is pleased to announce that Mr. Henderson Turton has been appointed by World Taekwondo President, Dr. Chungwon Choue to serve as a Member of the Development Committee of World Taekwondo for two years. This is quite a significant occurrence for our MNA - to have one of its Administrators called to service on committee at a Global Level. Indeed, as mentioned in her congratulatory note President of the Barbados Olympic Association Mrs. Sandra Osborne stated that "Barbados continues to makes its mark in International Sport". In reflecting on the appointment, President Turton stated he was humbled by the great responsibility and confidence placed in him. He pledged to serve Taekwondo to the best of his ability. We are confident he will do well. |
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Turton Returned to Presidency with One New Director at 2021 Electoral General Assembly
21 October 2021 The Taekwondo Association of Barbados will continue to be lead by Mr. Henderson Turton for another quadrennial. At the conclusion of the electoral General Assembly, Mr. Henderson Turton was returned to the office unopposed. The meeting was conducted virtually via Zoom in observation of the National COVID-19 protocols. Pan American Taekwondo Union (PATU) was represented by Vice President for Central America - Mr. Wilmar Alvarado Castillo, who is also President of the Costa Rica Taekwondo Federation, and performed the International observation role over the electoral process. After the meeting, Mr. Alvarado expressed his confidence that PATU and World Taekwondo (WT) will be pleased by the excellence in the process, along with the total transparency and order observed. There was one new addition to the Executive Council. Joining Council for first time service at the National level was Mr. Kevin Small of Williams' Taekwondo Dojang, who will serve for a two-year Term as one of two Directors on Council. The other Director also serving for a two-year Term will be Ms. Tessha Myers. She slides over from the position of Treasurer having served for the previous four years. The new Treasurer is Ms. Renee Best who previously served for two Terms as Director. Ms. Carol-Ann Kellman was returned as Secretary General, whilst Dr. Leo Brewster will continue for another four-year Term as Vice President of the Association. |
