Martial Artists from Leeds, UK to compete is 2011 ICTF World Cup

Originally Posted on Tuesday 11 October 2011 11:28

A team of young martial artists from Leeds will be taking on some of the best in the world as they look to give the competition the chop in Canada.

The team from Horsforth-based NTX Schools will be bidding for glory as they take part in the ICTF Taekwon-Do World Cup in Toronto. This Saturday, 25 competitors will be taking part in the prestigious tournament and hoping to bring some medals back to West Yorkshire. Youngsters aged from eight up to 18 will be travelling to Canada on Thursday to showcase their skills and represent their martial arts school in a range of events.

Instructor Danny Gazit, 23, who will also be taking part, told the YEP: “Some of the kids are black belts who’ve been with us for three or four years and some of them train three or four times a week- they’re very dedicated.
“We get all sorts of kids come to our school with all kinds of problems.
“But Taekwon-Do teaches them about discipline and respect for others.”

Originating in Korea, Taekwon-Do is the national sport of South Korea as the name loosely translates as “the art of the foot and fist”. Taekwon-Do is known for its emphasis on kicking techniques and is said to develop strength, speed, balance, flexibility, and stamina. As part of this weekend’s World Cup, the NTX team, who train at Trinity and All Saints in Horsforth, will take part in events including sparring bouts and “patterns” – which will test their ability to perform a set sequence of moves for the judges.

The final event, which older competitors will participate in, comes under the title “destruction”. It involves breaking wooden boards with bare hands and feet.  Danny said he was hopeful that the team, who have paid for the bulk of the trip with a huge programme of fundraising events, could spring a surprise or two.

He said: “We’re confident, but whether we win or not, it’s about the taking part and we’re going to be going up against some of the best in the world so we’re not expecting to win everything. But if we can bring back some medals, that would be fantastic.”