The historical event on a historical day.

Thanks to Chorng Jiunn for the banner. =)

There's an undescribable feeling when I recall this tournament.
It happened. It really happened.
Previously it was just a suggestion, but now it happened.
According to Master Roy, this will be a history making day for Penang.
The first school ever to organise a national scale tournament, and it's all 3-in-1.

Here's a briefing for those who're not too clear about Taekwondo tournaments.
It's divided into 3 types of competition : Poomsae, Kyorugi and Kyukpa.

1. Poomsae (Pattern). Participants are required to perform Taekwondo patterns (Taegeuks) fixed by the organising committee. For this event, white belt category participants are in groups of 3, performing 4 directional punch and 4 directional block. Yellow and green belt category participants are also in groups of 3, performing Taegeuk 2 and Taegeuk 3. Blue and red belt category participants are performing Taegeuk 6 and Taegeuk 7, but in individuals. Black belt category participants, appearing as individuals too, performing Taegeuk 8 and Kuemgang (2nd Dan pattern). Participants or groups with the highest score out of 10 will be the winner.
Click here if you wish to have a look on the patterns stated.

It's me, competing. =)
Photo credits to Chorng Jiunn, for ROY Taekwondo.

2. Kyorugi (Sparring). Participants are divided according to their weights. The organising committee will pick a respective opponent for each participant and record in a list called the bout chart. One party will be Blue (Chong) and the other will be Red (Hong).

Photo credits to Sir Jason, for ROY Taekwondo. =)

Here's how it work. This bout chart is for participants weighing in at 44 - 48 kilograms. (SPOT ME!) Taking the top one for example, Tan Zhi Jing from Blue will spar against Teoh Jia Wen from Red in Bout #4. The winning party will advance to quarterfinals in Bout #20 to compete against the winner of Bout #5, either Teo Jia Wei or Chia Kim Kim. The bottom part wise (after Bout #10), if there's lack of contenders, one will automatically advance to the next round to wait for their opponents.
There will be 1 gold medalist, 1 silver medalist and 2 bronze medalists for each weight category in this event.
Taking this bout chart as an example again, the winner of Bout #33 will be declared gold medalist, while losing the bout will get a silver medal. Contenders who lost Bout #29 and #30 will be the bronze medalists.

Sneak peek!

Before contenders enter the ring, they have to proceed to the inspection desk. Inspectors will make sure each of them have their arm guards, shin guards, sparring vests, under guards (so called the underwear >.<) and head gear ready prior to the fight to ensure safety throughout the sessions. Contenders will receive warnings according to different circumstances during the session. Two of the best examples are running out of the mat when you spar and kicking below belts. If things get serious, a mark deduction will be carried out by the referee. Points will be given by four judges sitting at each corner of the ring. If there's a tie, sudden death* will be carried out. The final decision of winners is made by the Head of Court and it's ultimate.

*Sudden death : An add-on situation when both contenders get the same points during the timed session which caused a tie in the match. In sudden death, if either contender attacks, judges will decide if the attack is valid by raising up either Blue or Red cards to show where the mark goes to, but the mark will need a minimum of 3 votes out of the 4 referees to count. Whoever wins sudden death will be the winner of that round and advance to the next.

3. Kyukpa (Breaking). Participants are divided into groups with the maximum of 8 people. Each group will be given 20 planks, each with 1 cm thick to break within 8 minutes. This is where creativity and teamwork are put into challenge. You may do anything to the planks: Punches, elbows, knife hand chops, knees, insteps, 360s, reverse swings, jumping front kicks, hook kicks, etc. You may form any shapes if you wish to. Just do anything to break all 20.

Planky planks! Photo credits to Sir Jason again, for ROY Taekwondo. =)

If you don't really get the idea, here a breaking demonstration by 18 PCGHS ROY Taekwondoists back in 2010, opening ceremony of the 19th Penang Remaja and 20th Penang Closed Taekwondo (WTF) Championship held in Sunshine Square on 3rd and 4th July. Do enjoy. (Again, I was inside, and till now this remains fresh in my memory although it's been 15 months back.)

Everything ended well. Here I quote my speech of gratitution as seen in ROY Taekwondo group. =)

The history making day, 15th October 2011.
1st PCGHS Closed Taekwondo (WTF) Championship.
It is an honour for me to be part of this event.
Without everyone's effort and sacrifices, this event wouldn't be successful. All of you did your best to bring this championship to another climax for the society as well.

Thanks everyone very much. You all did a great job indeed. =)
Always remember, what makes the experience fruitful is not the result, but the whole process of striving to achieve what you've wished for.
Be grateful to your friends who cheered for you loud and your opponents who made you a stronger person. Not to miss, all instructors who've taught us throughout the years and gave us intense trainings.

감사합니다!!
뢰 태권도 대박!! 뢰 태권도 화이팅!!
1st PCGHS Closed Taekwondo (WTF) Championship 성공!

DO NO EVIL.
aLiCe.

For more photos, kindly refer to ROY Taekwondo group / my album.

We are the members of the Do No Evil family. ROY Taekwondo rocks!

-aLiCe_RawkXZ-