Latest update December 23rd, 2024 3:40 AM
GTA Runs off Olympic Day Open Taekwondo Tournament
The Guyana Taekwondo Association (GTA) recently held the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) sponsored Olympic Day Taekwondo Tournament in observance of the Olympic Week of activities.
Participants and officials take time out for a photo following the Taekwondo association Olympic Day event.
A release from the association informed that, the competition saw athletes participating in both Poomsae (forms) and Gyrugi (fighting). The athletes participating came from various divisions. In the junior boys (gyrugi) and mix Junior (poomsae) category it was Randy Ali who took first place, followed by Brandon Alin second in the gyugi. But Shenique Bourne took first place in the mix juniors (gyrugi) and had to settle for fourth place in the poomsae category. Akil St. Hill took second place in both gyrugi and poomsae, and young Ezekiel Kellman, who put up a fierce battle in the gyrugi but was unable to take the winning spot, had to settle for third place.
Both of the female categories proved to be exciting as Aliya Persaud won first in the poomsae followed by Raquel Felix second and Rosa Sukdeo third. But over to the Gyrugi, Raquel Felix proved to be the strongest in that division as she emerged in the first place, followed by Rosa Sukdeo in second, who had to bow out due to injuries, then Aliya Persaud and Maria Singh.
In the beginner male category, Witney Archibald took the first place in both the gyrugi and poomsae followed by Bidesh Dwarka who settled for the second place in both events.
Though these two young adults have only started Taekwondo recently, they still put on a good show.
Over to the Intermediate males poomsae division 1; Vishaal Ramsook won, followed by Dequinn Benn second and Steven Persaud third. And in the poomsae division 2; David Browne took the winning spot followed by Julian Bandhan. Then it would be Restogi Pereira who took the first place in the poomsae division 3.
In the gyrugi division 1; there was a lot of excitement as the athletes battled it out but, Vishaal Ramssok once again took first place, as Julian Bandhan also once again took second place, followed by Steven Persaud in third. Across in the gyrugi division 2; It was yet another heated and exciting match as the athletes squared off against each other, which saw David Browne gaining the winning spot, followed by Brandon Rodrigues in second and Dequinn Benn in third place.
In the senior males’ poomsae, Stefan Wong gave an outstanding performance that landed him in first place, followed by Orlando Van-Rossum second and Wayne Forde third.
In the senior males’ gyrugi, Wayne Forde and Ricardo Narine first faced off in an exciting match, with both athletes showing off their aerial kicks but, it was Narine who emerged as the winner.
Then it was over to Orlando Van-Rossum and Kossadyn Kirtchhoof in a heated match, both athletes demonstrated an array of excellent kicks but, it was Van-Rossum who would emerge victoriously.
The excitement grew as Forde and Kirtchhoof battled for the third place; nonetheless Forde was able to earn more points than Kirtchhoof and took the third place.
But it was Narine who ultimately claimed the first place in the senior males gyrugi as Van-Rossum was unable to continue due to leg injuries and had to settle for second.
This competition was successfully coordinated and pulled off by Coach – Ms. La Toya Herbert, who said she was happy and excited for all the participants and hoped that next year the competition can grow even bigger. She conveyed her thanks to all the instructors who came out and offered their support. She further expressed special thanks to Coach Ramjeet Ramphal, Coach Roy Bacchus and Coach Kawall Ramkiran.
Meanwhile, the public is being reminded that the Guyana Taekwondo Association training facility is located in Woolford Avenue upstairs at the Guyana Teacher’s Union Hall. Classes are held every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 5:00PM to 7:00PM. For further details you can contact Sir Roy Bacchus 644-4402 or Ms. La Toya Herbert 670-2615.
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