It was world domination by New Zealand as the 2011 World Taekwon-Do Championships became the home teams championships.
The world champs were successfully held in Wellington at the TSB Arena at Queens Wharf in early March showing plenty of depth in competition but also a very capable organisational structure and key support too.
The New Zealand team more than doubled the number of gold medals won by the second placed nation. Overall New Zealand won 20 gold, 12 silver medals and 10 bronze way ahead of Argentina who finished on nine gold, three silver and 13 bronze medals. Poland were third.
In excess of 40 nations took part in the event which saw New Zealand finish ahead of Argentina, a bonus for the Kiwi team who had come second to Argentina when the tournament was held in that nation two years ago.
Carl Van Roon, the Auckland 27-year-old took away best overall senior male competitor for the second world championship in a row.
One of the best performances on the final day included the pre-arranged sparring pair of Luke Thompson and Mark Trotter who defeated Argentina 4-0 in the final. Pre-arranged sparring is to some people ‘stunt’fighting coordinated between two people with the need for superb timing and interaction.
Thompson has said he will retire after the event where he also won the individual power breaking competition. However his combination with Trotter in the pre-arranged sparring had the large crowd at the TSB Arena on their feet.
“It’s great to work with someone like Mark. We have to make all of our moves look authentic and after all of the training it’s nice to get the rewards. Last time we were beaten by Argentina in the pre-arranged final. So it’s nice to get it this time,” said Thompson who is a school teacher in Auckland. “It’s been great being part of such a fantastic New Zealand team,” he said.
In the special awards New Zealand won the best overall male team and best overall female team, best overall country and best overall senior male. The best overall female competitor was Russian Ekaterina Kozlachkova. Kiwi Carolina Dillen was equal second alongside Ilona Dziala(Poland) and Lisa Dennis(England).
New Zealand also dominated the junior section of the world champs, including the title for best overall female team and best overall male team and Kara Timmer from Tauranga was awarded the honour of best overall junior female. Timmer, 16 won five gold and one silver throughout the tournament.
The best overall junior male was Michal Wieleba from Poland. New Zealand’s Matthew Chan(Auckland) was the runner up in this award.
The event had large crowds on most days, but especially on the final day where the TSB Arena sold out.
Results: 2011 ITF Taekwon-Do World Championships, TSB Arena, Wellington.
Best overall Individual Male: Carl Van Roon (New Zealand).
Best overall Individual Female: Ekaterina Kozlachkova (Russia).
Best Overall, Junior Female: Kara Timmer (New Zealand).
Best Overall, Junior Male: Michal Wieleba (Poland).
Best Overall, Female Team: New Zealand.
Best Overall, Male Team: New Zealand.
