Korea open days 1+2+3

---

The Korean open is an international event, which any country can enter, as well as local clubs.
The standard is very wide - from the developing nations to the more advance nations.

Alot of the countries use this tournement as a practice event for other bigger events. Alot of the countries represented will be competing at the World Cup in Thailand next week.

This year, the open is being held at the Olympic Park/Stadiums, where alot of the Korean Olympics was held years ago.

Korea has bought there A team to fight in this tournement, so it is no surprised that they have dominated proceedings so far. (Not by pure skill, as some of the final matches between korea and other countries have some dubious scoring).

I managed to catch up with the Australian team, and the australian national coach as well. He has been a long time friend and instructor , as I have been teaching for his club for about 3 years now.

The australian a team have had mixed results. We managed to get silver in on the first day, but only from one fighter. We fielded three on the day.

Today was not so good, with both fighters being downed. Tomorrow will see one of my freinds (Douina) take to the courts for her second international tournement.

The South African team have had mixed results as well, with 2 of there four players not making it past the first fights. 1 Player making it to the quarter finals.

The 4th fighter (Duncan) will be fighting tomorrow.

The event is quite different from the competitions at home. For a start the finals are broadcast live on public TV. There are action replays during the break periods and commentary as well.

Fireworks, music and chants are also a norm at these comps.

I have been sitting with the Pung Seung boys, and we have been moving to where either the Phillipines, Thailand & South African teams have been sitting when they are fighting. It's quite funny to watch the korean kids when one of the countries above is fighting korea, as they remain quite (more to the point, they don't know who to cheer for).

Tomorrow will see the last day competition, as wel as the start of the High School competiton in another part of town (Suwon). I will be going with them on Sunday to watch, so it will be 4 days of watching TKD to inspire me to fight.

I am still however doing morning and evening training sessions, so when I so arrive at these events I am a bit tired (apart from today).

---

Photos

Korea Open - Poomsae
Poomsae - Last Day of Korea Open for Poomsae

South Africa TKD Team
Duncan, Brian and the Twins - Korea Open

A familiar face
Dounia and me - Korea Open

Me & Killa 1
Jun and Me - High School TKD Team head - On the bus to Korea Open

Pung Saeng kids
Some of the boys from Pung Saeng

Team Thailand
One of the Thai Junior Team members - Korea Open.
I think she went on to win Bronze.

Action!
Sparring action from Korea Open.

Yes, action replays
Ohh yes, action replays, so you get to see the scoring kick.

Warm up area
Behind the scenes - alot of the teams actually train here too.

Team Thailand - Group
The Thailand Junior team.

Killa 2
YES - this kid DID kick me in the head!

More killas
Two more Pung Saeng boys

Jun, me and my Instructor
Jun on my left, my "Instructor" on my right (yes the 16 yr old who taught me some things).