LIMERICK students of the Munster Martial Arts school brought home a haul of 19 medals from the UK Open Tang Soo Do Championships in Cardiff last weekend.
One of the biggest events of its kind in the world, the UK Open is also regarded as one of the toughest, attracting the best competitors from the UK, the US and all over Europe.
The Limerick-based students, who ranged in age from 7 to 56 competed across several divisions in sparring, individual traditional forms and weapon forms winning an impressive haul of gold, silver and bronze medals.
Some of the senior students also took part in the team sparring event which for the last seven years has been won by Team USA who are regarded as the best team in the world. While the Limerick team didn’t go on to win the event they were the only team to defeat Team USA.
Team coach Pat Forde said: “Our whole team did absolutely amazing at this event. This is one of the most unpredictable events in the world such is the high standard it attracts, many teams go home empty handed. To see my students compete and succeed at this level is amazing and I am so proud to be bringing such a result home to Limerick.
The club, which operates in Rollerjam on the Ballysimon Road in Limerick City, Newcastle West and Hospital, has achieved international success in Ireland, Wales, England, Poland, Holland and Belgium.
