St Mark’s end year on high note

St Mark’s Taekwondo School in Tallaght ended 2023 on some high notes with successful participation in the RITA Irish Open in DCU, along with the traditional end-of-year Christmas Demonstration in St Mark’s Community School Sports Hall (where St Mark’s Taekwondo school trains Monday/Thursday 7pm-9pm, Sunday 11am-1pm).

With huge thanks to the RITA Tournament and Umpire Committees for organising and hosting the very successful Irish Open on December 3rd 2023, the St Mark’s Taekwon-Do family attended the competition and were mighty with their achievements.

Well done to Godin (winning Silver in the Yellow belt pattern section), Adam (taking Bronze in his sparring group), Seamus and Onish both winning Gold in the Blue Belt pattern groups, with a bonus for Onish taking Silver in his sparring also.

And last but by no means least to top the results off, Sean won Gold in sparring.

There was great pride for all St Mark’s students who took part.

A big thanks also goes out to St Mark’s assistant instructors Matthew Kearns (3rd degree black belt) and Michael Doyle (2nd degree black belt) representing our school performing umpiring duties on the day, and also to our assistant instructor Martin Roe (5th degree black belt) for his continuous dedication to our students, spending the day as coach and minding the students with great care and support.

Adam, Green Belt – Blue Tag and Bronze in Sparring

Finally, the training year ended with a bang on December 17 with the annual St Mark’s Taekwondo School Christmas Demo, where all of our students are given the opportunity to shine, showing off their Taekwondo skills to gathered parents and relatives.

The students dazzled the audience by performing various patterns, sparring, self-defence and power techniques (breaking boards) appropriate to the level of their belt/grade.

The day was finished off with the traditional selection box giving, snacks and soft drinks before wishing each and all a safe and happy Christmas before the break.

St Mark’s Taekwondo School started back for the new term of training on Thursday, January 4.