On Sunday 8th February, Bristol Taekwondo School proudly hosted the Jin Moo Kwan Southern Grassroots Championships at the Olympiad Sports Centre in Chippenham.
The event attracted not only local clubs but also teams travelling from Manchester, Skelmersdale, Liverpool, London, Milton Keynes, Poole, Cambridge, and Southampton, creating a fantastic atmosphere of friendly competition and camaraderie.
A Unique Competition Experience
What made this event particularly special was the use of electronic body armour and headguards (PSS systems), equipment that very few grassroots competitions are able to provide. This allowed developing practitioners to experience the same style of electronic scoring environment used at higher-level competitions.
To ensure additional safety, Pee Wee and Children divisions wore clear protective face masks attached to their headguards, providing extra protection and reassurance for both competitors and parents.
Olympic-Style Format
The day began with Poomsae (forms) competition before moving into sparring, following the same structured format seen in major championships and Olympic-style events.
We were also privileged to have two international referees in attendance. One acted as the main advisor, offering guidance on scoring decisions and ensuring that matches were conducted in line with recognised standards. Their presence added professionalism and credibility to the event.
All officials who assisted throughout the day were presented with a complimentary blue officials’ tracksuit top, creating a smart, uniformed presence on the competition floor.
Positive Feedback
The feedback from competitors, coaches, and spectators was extremely encouraging. Many commented on the professional setup, the opportunity to use electronic scoring systems, and the welcoming atmosphere of the event. Several clubs have already asked when we will be hosting the next championships.
We would like to thank all clubs, referees, officials, volunteers, and families who supported the event and helped make it such a success. We look forward to building on this momentum and welcoming even more competitors to future events.
