Holywood ITF Taekwon-do club is going from strength to strength after an impressive showing at the recent ITF European open Taekwon-do Championships in Lisburn.
The club, which has only been opened for the last 18 months under Cathal Fegan CFTKD clubs, brought three members to the competition, two students and one instructor and came home with an impressive two golds and three silvers.
Instructor Darren Condon, who won a gold medal and two silver medals, said the club and wider Taekwon-do community are very proud of the success.
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"We opened in February last year," explained Darren.
"Our club started competing in competitions since late last year winning a few medals including gold however nothing on this scale.
"The ITF European Taekwon-do Championships is a huge international competition with over ten countries.
"Practitioners can train all year round for this one opportunity to test their skills on an international level competing to win the gold medal.
"We are very proud, likewise the families and our CFTKD Taekwon-do community are all very proud of our students and the club's achievements at this competition winning two golds and three silver medals."
Along with Darren's three medals Freya Sloan secured a gold medal with Katie Breslin winning silver.
"Freya has been my student since our first class, making it one year five months," said Darren.
"It is Freya's third competition and second ever gold, this time she fought brilliantly in order to win gold for sparring.
"Katie has been practicing Taekwon-do for over two years before moving to the Holywood area and has been training with us since last September.
"This was Katie's first ever competition and fought impressively to the finals bringing home a silver in sparring.
"I have been practicing Taekwon-do under Cathal Fegan (CFTKD) since 2014 and have competed in several competitions locally and internationally.
"I won the gold medal for sparring and two silver medals, one for team sparring and the other for patterns."
Darren is hoping the club's success can boost the profile of the club further and encourage more people to come along and get involved.
"I'm the instructor for Holywood ITF Taekwon-do and like all CFTKD clubs we have an open-door policy accepting all members from every background and area," he said.
"We currently have over 20 students all at different levels and belts. To get more people involved with the club would be great.
"I've loved training Taekwon-do since attending my first class and would like exposure for the sport, so everyone in the Holywood area sees that it has physical and mental benefits all while making it fun for my students."
If you would like more information on the club or would like to get involved you can contact them via their Facebook page Holywood ITF Taekwon-do or by email at dc20tkd@hotmail.com.
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