jun.18.2008

Amelia Corbie and Tariq Abduhll Haqq led Trinidad and Tobago to first place in both the Junior and Senior Divisions at the 9th, Caribbean Taekwondo Championships at the week-end. The Competition was staged at the University of the West Indies Sport and Physical Education Centre (UWISPEC), St. Augustine. Fifteen countries, ranging from Puerto Rico in the North to Guyana and Surinam in the South competed at the Games with both Martinique (who was competing for the first time) and Curacao impressing by way of results.

Corbie, who fought in the Heavyweight Division, was adjudged the Best Junior Female Fighter of the Competition. Haqq, who won Gold in the Senior Heavyweight Division was awarded the best Senior Male Fighter Trophy. Andrea St. Bernard, a Grenadian living in Canada won the Gold and was rewarded with the Best Female Fighter Trophy in the Senior Division.

Kevin Lee-A-Ping who won Gold in the Junior Featherweight division was adjudged the Most Promising Junior Fighter of the Tournament. His progress, after being injured at Nationals last December, was nothing short of remarkable. T &T's National Coach, Mr. Colin Mofford, received the award from the Pan American Taekwondo Union (PATU) for the Best Coach of the Tournament.

Mr. Anthony Ferguson, President of the Trinidad and Tobago Taekwondo Association was fullsome in his praise for the Financial, Material and Human Resource support the TTTA received from the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs and gave particular thanks to Honourable Minister Gary Hunt, M.P. for assisting with the process.

There were other signal events at the Championships:

a) The La Just Electronic Chest Protectors, which have been in use in other areas of the world, were introduced to the Pan American Region through the Games. Mr. Ferguson, member of the PATU Evaluation Committee for the Electronic Protectors, said that overall, they were satisfied with the Equipment. That although a few glitches still needed to be worked out, they recommended it for adoption at all PATU-related Games.

b) A Caribbean-wide Black Belt Grading was also administered by Master Ji Ho Choi and Master Jose Cornelio, President and Vice President of PATU. The Grading which took place at UWISPEC saw three local heads of Taekwondo Schools availing themselves of the opportunity to become fourth Dan. The results would be announced in a few weeks. Ferguson said that success would empower the Heads to Grade their own students, allowing the Sport to spread more rapidly. It would, he continued, also make them eligible to become International Referees, both significant goals of the TTTA.

c)The Caribbean Taekwondo Union (CTU) underwent a name change to the Caribbean Taekwondo Federation. This to avoid any mix-up with the acronym of the Commonwealth Taekwondo Union (CTU). The Organisation redefined its Objectives and shifted its headquarters to Trinidad and Tobago. The Caribbean Taekwondo Heads decided that given the success of the Championsips and given the fact that countries outside of the region expressed real interest in attending (Kenya, India, Iceland, Argentina, Tibet and Denmark) that a Caribbean Open Taekwondo Championships should be placed on the schedule. Trinidad and Tobago was selected to host the inaugural Championships in 2011.

d) PATU held its first Executive Council Meeting in the English speaking Caribbean at Coco Reef Resort and Spa, Tobago. Several initiatives were taken at the Meeting including the changing and addition of new Committee members. PATU will issue a Press Statement in due course.

Speaking at the Opening Ceremony were Mr. Ashwin Creed, Deputy Permanent Secretary in The Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs representing the Minister Of Sport and Youth Affairs, The Honourable Gary Hunt, M.P.; Mr. Larry Romany, President of the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee; Master Choi, President of PATU and TTTA's head, Mr. Ferguson. Also in attendance were the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea, Mr. Chong-on Won; Mr. Brian Lewis, Secretary General of TTOC and; Other members of PATU's Executive Council. The Ceremony was highlighted by well received performances of the Malik Folk Performers and the Shiv Shakti Dancers..

The full list of Trinidad and Tobago Medalists is as follows:

JUNIORS:

Kevin Lee-A-Ping Feather (M) Gold
Andrew O'Brien Light (M) Gold
Jyothi Persad Bantam Weight (F) Silver
Chad Lee Light Middle (M) Silver
Andrew Lee Fly(M) Gold
In Seung Jung Light Heavy (M) Gold
Che Sankar Welter(M) Gold
Amelia Corbie Heavy (F) Gold
SENIORS: Avin Maharaj Fly(M) Bronze
Ahisher Maxima Bantam(M) Silver
Dorian Alexander Feather (M) Silver
Roger Lezama Light(M) Bronze
Lenn Hypolite Welter(M) Bronze
Kevin Khan Middle (M) Bronze
Tariq Abduhll Haqq Heavy (M) Gold

Following is the List of Placement Awards

JUNIOR TEAM 1ST PLACE TRINIDAD (32 POINTS)
JUNIOR TEAM 2ND PLACE NETHERLAND ANTILLES (15 POINTS)
JUNIOR TEAM 3RD PLACE BARBADOS (14 POINTS)
JUNIOR TEAM 4TH PLACE GUADELOUPE (9 POINTS)
SENIOR TEAM 1ST PLACE TRINIDAD (39 POINTS)
SENIOR TEAM 2ND PLACE GUADELOUPE (26 POINTS)
SENIOR TEAM 3RD PLACE PUERTO RICO (24 POINTS)
SENIOR TEAM 4TH PLACE GUYANA (23 POINTS)
Best Male Fighter (Senior) TARIQ ABDUL-HAQQ (TRINIDAD)
Best Female Fighter (Senior) ANDRE ST. BERNARD (GRENADA)
Best Male Fighter (Junior) ADRIAN JANSEN (NETHERLAND ANT)
Best Female Fighter (junior) AMELIA CORBIE (TRINIDAD)
Most Promising Junior (Male) KEVIN LEE-A-PING (TRINIDAD)
Most Promising Junior (Female) MELISSA MARTIN (GUADELOUPE)
Best Fighting Spirit) CHARLES FRONZIE (GRENADA)
Best Coach (Female & Male) Guadeloupe (Female) & Trinidad (Male)
Best Referee (Male & Female) CONRAD JENKINS & TRACY BONERTZ