2023 Caboolture open — results

Team Director Master Shirly with GM Bradley

16 GOLD — 6 SILVER — 4 BRONZE

EVENT SUMMARY — POOMSAE & SPARRING

The Taekwondo competition of sparring and poomsae (patterns) was held at the Morayfield Sports complex in Caboolture on Sunday 18 June 2023. A nice day, somewhat chillier than usual, great conditions for Taekwondo players. Sun Bae Korean Martial Arts was represented from many centres — as an open event (i.e. no qualifying to enter) — with 23 players: Newmarket (8), Kenmore (5), Middle Park (4), Regents Park (3), The Gap (2), Toowoomba (1), who all participated in the Taekwondo poomsae. Special thanks to the instructors attending from those centres: Master Shirly & Instructor Steph & Instructor Chris, Instructor Brendan, Master Mark, Instructor Ben & Nicole and of course GM Bradley.

After the recent success at the Taekwondo Gold Coast Open in May 2023, it seemed our Sun Bae Taekwondo students were ready to take on another exciting day (and another challenge). The Caboolture Open has a long respectful history, organised by Master Carlos Lakerdis. There were 158 competitors for Taekwondo poomsae division, depicting the event's popularity. As usual, there were divisions for all levels and ages with Sun Bae players ranging from white belt to black belt.

Preparation for the event included a number of weekend special training sessions (without charge) personally conducted by GM Bradley and Master Shirly — thank you! Our gratitude also extends to all club Instructors and parents who had dedicated their time to support and prepare for this event. All Sun Bae players had been preparing for many weeks in order to fine tune their poomsae technique for the day and it showed with 15 gold, 8 silver and 2 bronze.

It was a satisfying result, especially due to the high level of players' skill from the opposition. Some divisions, especially age between age 10-14, were very competitive with 7 entrants or more for each division. The pair poomsae groups of Brooke/Elizabeth and Jio/Jung were quite exciting watch — but not for the faint-hearted. We had many first time players as well. Most satisfying was the notable improvements made by our players in their poomsae skills leading up to the event. This will no doubt assist in their grading results upcoming!

SPARRING SPECIAL REPORT

Whilst Sun Bae focused mainly on poomsae for this event, we did have one player, Anil, competing in sparring (for his first time). Sparring requires a lot of specific training actually, mainly to ensure you fight within the rules. Sun Bae normal training is for defence in the street of course, so there is an adjustment required. For example, there is no punching to the head. Whilst it is points scoring, it is still full contact. Anil received silver for the event. He was most impressive in round one actually, clearly outscoring his opponent with points for kicking. However, he had many penalties from inadvertently stepping outside the ring — enough to lose the first round on deductions. Experience showed here as he was matched against the reigning state champion who cleverly edged him out many times. Anil was very strong nonetheless landing head and body kicks, but not enough to prevail. A silver medal received, a commendable effort, plus invaluable experience gained.

NEXT EVENT

Sun Bae Championships: October!
Entry fee: nil.

THOUGHTS FROM MASTER SHIRLY

I hope all competitors enjoyed the day, socially and also as Taekwondo players, perhaps attaining an invaluable experience regardless of placings. It is clear that courage is required to enter. To do nothing, as GM Bradley often says, is to receive nothing. It is inevitable that with all activities in life there will be some level of anxiety and perhaps even stress. I encourage all to not shy away from such feelings - as it is more important to learn how to deal with them. Sun Bae Taekwondo students are trained mentally, not just physically, in order to deal with life in and outside the training arena. The formal traditional structure of our classes is integral in preparing and strengthening the mind. Our normal training promotes personal achievement (competing just against yourself). But entering a competition is very different. I commend all players who competed! Such events can truly test a student's confidence and resolve. It is not unusual that players make more mistakes under pressure. However, this is truly how we learn and more importantly, also one of the many ways we overcome our fears. I encourage all Sun Bae Students to train hard for yourself and should the opportunity arise, perhaps enter into competition one day! See you in October!

POOMSAE

Team Results

POOMSAE PLAYER	RANK	RESULT	CENTRE
Jio Kang	Yellow II	Gold	Middle Park
Jung Kang	White	Gold	Middle Park

Brooke Pallister	Yellow I	Silver	Regents Park
Elizabeth Lambert	Yellow I	Silver	Regents Park

POOMSAE

Individual Results

POOMSAE PLAYER	RANK	RESULT	CENTRE
Anil Ojeswi	Red III	Silver	Kenmore
Anoushri Chand	Red III	Bronze	Kenmore
Yulbeen Bae	Red I	Gold	Kenmore
Jun Bae	Blue III	Gold	Kenmore
Loke Ojeswi	Blue III	Gold	Kenmore
Brendan Whish	1 Dan Bo	Gold	Middle Park
Zordan Bazyar	Red II	Bronze	Middle Park
Jio Kang	Yellow II	Gold	Middle Park
Jung Kang	White	Gold	Middle Park
Chris Gehrke	3 Dan	Gold	Newmarket
Jenny Qi	1 Dan Bo	Gold	Newmarket
Anunt Ghoshal	1 Dan Bo	Silver	Newmarket
Erika Novas-Trevorrow	1 Dan Bo	Bronze	Newmarket
Jamie Tooke	Red III	Bronze	Newmarket
Suhas Rangan	Red I	Silver	Newmarket
Nathan Ryan	Blue II	Gold	Newmarket
Yvette Ryan	Yellow I	Gold	Newmarket
Brooke Pallister	Yellow I	Gold	Regents Park
Elizabeth Lambert	Yellow I	Gold	Regents Park
Emily Kim	Yellow I	Gold	Regents Park
Roman Castiglione	Red III	Gold	The Gap
Greg Shoebridge	Red III	Gold	The Gap
Johannah Whittle	1 Dan	Silver	Toowoomba