Report on Chungdokwan Nationals
Date: 8th March 2008
Venue: Bracknell Leisure Centre
By: Marcin Tata (Team Coach) and
Paul Donnelly (Team Manager)

The Competition was ideally placed in terms of date and location for our 7-player team to attend - far enough away from our own one on the 1st June and literally up the road (i.e. junction 3 of the M3).

For the first time in a while we had a team attending as a team - 7-players; a Coach, a Senior Team Official, a Master, a Korean and even a team cameraman!

It was a longish day as although the weigh-in took place at about 9am, the Kyorugi did not start until after the Poomse competition at about 2pm.

Although a wait of some 5½ hours even following a shortish commute, could be off putting, we had a very pleasant time talking with one another - something that there is just no real time for in the training schedule or even afterwards. So we learned more about each other and bonded as a team - something that will and indeed did prove very important.

The Team and the Results

The Fights and the Details
The fights did, in the end, go in age order. Marcin's strategy for the team, that he made clear to everyone before the event, was that this was "just another training event" - "just another Saturday sports taekwondo class".

The instruction was to work on what we had been concentrating upon in the Dojang i.e. "Keep It Simple". So the techniques that he was looking for were just half turning kicks i.e. no reverse turning, no back-kicks, etc, etc. Just slide and turning-kick - step and turning-kick.

The aim is to remove bad habits and build (and the case of some of the more experienced players re-build) the understanding of how one can score from simple techniques used properly.

From coach's point of view the main task was to get good points, learn how to score.
The task was, in most cases, completed.

The Details:

Jim Donnelly - He began by being summoned only to be told that his opponent had not turned up and that as there was only one in his category, they "were sorry". Miraculously however, one did turn up. Jim fought with his guard up and thought about what he had learned but his opponent was just too experienced and got to 7 clear points. Although in the PeeWee class, headshots were allowed, which was his first experience of them. Jim left in good spirits and quite optimistic about building on his performance, with some lessons learned e.g. the hard work is done in the Dojang!
Coach's comments - Jim's opponent was controlling the match so there was not much he could do really.

Ben Davies - Ben did remarkably well at applying what he had learned. He specifically did not use some of his more flamboyant techniques and limited his head punches to one. He concentrated upon turning kicks as he had been coached, but they are not yet embedded into his style - something that more sports training will ensure. Although he lost by 2-points, we were pleased as he is clearly beginning the hard task of changing his style, that as he works on it, will improve his performance.
Coach's comments - Confident in the beginning but through the match Ben found it difficult to score winning points. We need to work on improving tactics.

Fred Donnelly - Fred too had a difficult start as he was called up 4 times before it was actually his match. When he did finally get on, the Saturday training showed. He was measured, relaxed and took his points against a very keen opponent (from and equally "keen" club) and was never in danger of being caught. The match ended 7 - 3 and our first Gold. About 2/3rds through round 2, he struck his opponents elbow which was a slight irritant as his opponent was allowed to wear in-step protectors, despite Marcin's protestations at the beginning of the match.
Coach's comments - Fred fought with confidence and courage and won even though he was fighting with an injury.

Georgia Fielding-Burden - Our only girl player at her first competition was unfortunately pitched against a heavier and taller opponent. She showed considerable courage in getting over a hard head-shot that ended the match. Despite this she ended the day in excellent spirits, which was a real shot in the arm for the whole team. She also learned that going backwards in a straight line is not a good idea - something for the Dojang.
Coach's Comments - Well done Georgia!

Chris Fortune - Following on from the British Nationals in December and our "Big Sunday" in February, Chris won both his fights. Again Saturday training showed in that he looked more relaxed, took simple points and was really never in danger of being caught. This was a good test for him and one he enjoyed, so lots of positives to bring back - but no complacency.
Coach's comments - Chris controlled both games. He didn't fight but played with his opponents - spot on.

Evran Alibaba - Having been put up a division as there was no-one else at his weight, he got stuck in against an experienced and lively opponent and matched him point for point right up until he caught a well executed, but lucky, jumping reverse turning kick in the face towards the end of round two. Up to that point, and much to his opponents surprise, the score was 6 - 6. Again Saturday training showed as he kept it tight and simple. Despite his sore nose, he was encouraged by his improvement, as were we all.
Coach's comments - Evran was just really unlucky!

Paul Donnelly - His match came almost at the end of the day and along with his well supported opponent, generated enough shouting to raise the roof. It was a hard fought match with the lead ebbing one way then the next ending 9 - 10 to his opponent. Paul did modify his style, limiting all of his kicks to sliding or stepping turning kicks, with his undoing being an unwillingness to avoid shots over his desire to land them. An excellent fun match, with lessons learned to build on back at the Dojang and proof (if needed) that an old dog can learn new tricks.
Coach's comments - Good match, but Paul lacked the experience to get the winning point in last 10 seconds! Just like Ben, we need to improve his tactics.

Conclusion

This was the first time away from home for Jim, Fred and Evren and the first ever proper competition for Georgia. It was also this team's first attendance at an event "as a team" and this aspect (i.e. supporting, encouraging, warming-up and just hanging out) was excellent - if you have never played as a team member, you should try it - it makes a huge difference!

This was a first too for Marcin going "away" with his team as coach, and for him it was also a case of "lessons learned". Having a team coach, especially one who is unflappable, enhanced the experience for all the players.

Also having home (and sometimes hugely vocal) support from Keith, Jon and Jeong Su was equal to a couple of adrenaline points. Not to mention the assistance and guidance that Jon was able to provide to the whole event that was lacking in some organisation.

All fights were recorded by our intrepid camera-man Tom, who you may soon see in the Dojang. These will be analysed and commented on at Saturday afternoon training sessions, but if anyone does want a look, we can make them available.
So it's back to the Dojang with lots of hard work but with a team spirit now melded in the flames of a full competition, and with our eyes now firmly set on the Dorset Open on June 1st.

We will have a bigger team then as not all of the players who wanted to come could make it due to a clash of commitments. If you too, would like to be part of this team, then please do come along to Saturday Sports TKD Classes that are held 4 - 6pm at All Saints Church Hall, Oxford Avenue, Southbourne. For any other details contact Paul on 0788 079 4148.

Coach Marcin's Final Comment

It was a very mixed day - but good and full of valuable experiences. The team have improved a lot since their bouts in February. We still however, have lots to do. In particular we have to:
- Practise more techniques especially using double and triple techniques
- Concentrate on tactics, especially when playing at short distance.
- Learn how to manage our emotions i.e. control our excitement and to remain calm as this will help with controlling the game. This aspect also really only comes from playing in more competitions :
Looking forward to our target event i.e. the Nationals in September, my assessment at this stage is that Chris and Fred showed good winning skills and that Evran and Georgia showed a real will to fight.