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.
Message from our Board Chairman:
The WC2011 team, composed of not only our members, but also family and friends, has in the words of several International Masters, pulled off “the most successful ITF World Championships ever” and I was lucky enough to be there to both experience it, and in some small way take part.
I personally want to extend my thanks and gratitude (and that of the Board and our Masters) to all those involved and I am sure the New Zealand Competition team will join with me in agreeing that the efforts of all those who volunteered, made the end result so much more easier to attain and rewarding.
For those unable to attend, you were able to receive minute by minute live updates and/or log into the free web casting, both these, welcome firsts.
The dust has nearly settled and our many overseas competitors and officials are now, or soon to be, winging their way home, but for me the lasting legacy will be that you showed how; New Zealand does it.
Our Members opened their hearts to the International Taekwon-Do Community and in turn they reciprocated, so before I run out of Superlatives, I will end with a simple;
Thank you.
Dennis Burns
Board Chairman
International Taekwon-Do
New Zealander's selected as Umpires for the World Champs:
Master Mahesh Bhana, Master Rocky Rounthwaite, Master James Rimmer, Mr Grant Eccles, Mr Darren Ward, Mr Mark Banicevich, Mr Kane Raukura, Mr Vince Pygott, Mr Gwyn Brown, Mr Simon Mallinson.
NB Recently the ITF Umpire Committee confirmed those New Zealand umpires who will be officiating at the world champs in Wellington. That application was coordinated through the ITFNZ Tournaments Advisor (Mr Eccles) on behalf of ITFNZ. No New Zealand umpire should apply independently of the ITFNZ Tournaments Advisor to the ITF to officiate at the world champs. Please contact Mr Eccles if you have any queries.
The New Zealand Government announced on 2 July that it is to pledge $100k towards the World Champs. Read NZ Herald article here. This is was on the eve of the National / OTF Champs attended by ITF Tournaments Chairman Master Coos van den Heuvel. Master van den Heuvel was present to check out the organising team as a part of the World Champs build up.
Master Lan to assist NZ Team »
Tickets to the Worlds available from TICKETEK
See our World Champs Brochure Sample 
Amendment to NZ Team Selection ProcessThe current rule for selecting a NZ Team Representative to compete at a World Championships is that they must be at least 1st Dan and above on the selection day and must remain on the grade that they are on the selection day. The NZ Coaching / Management Team could identify talented red & black stripes who with the correct training could represent NZ on a World Championship level. We have amended part of the current selection process to read that members must be at least red belt and above on the Selection Day to be considered for a place on the National Team. Subject to the selected red / black stripes successfully passing an ITFNZ Black Belt Grading, they will be eligible to compete at a World Championship provided enough time has been allowed to get the appropriate documentation approved by the ITF. Lena & Ian Walton
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World Champs TrainingsAuckland training for the World champs Team will be held Tuesday & Thursday nights at Stanhope Rd Primary School hall on the Ellerslie Panmure Highway 7.30 till 9.00. Saturday mornings from 10.00 till 12.00 at Dragons Spirit Papatoetoe. Casual visits are welcome by those of any grade wanting specific tournament training. Please contact Mr Steve Pellow beforehand just in case we are having a night / day off. Cost per visit $5.00 The Management staff for the 2011 New Zealand Team have announced the dates for the camps, including trials, leading up to the World Champs in 2011:
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On Friday 1 June 2007 at ITF Congress, delegates voted to accept New Zealand's bid to host the 2011 ITF Taekwon-Do Senior and Junior World Championships New Zealand! See our bid video and other documentation here.
The challenge of organising the ITF World Champs is now upon us, and we are at the point of starting to name and bring together the team of people who will coordinate the event. At this early stage, we don't yet need "people on the ground" so to speak, that will come later, and your assistance will be crucial.
We are currently in negotiation with possible partners for the Championships and also finalising the structure of the Company. A Board of Directors will be finalised in January 2008 (ITF TAEKWON-DO WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS 2011 LIMITED). The Board will later appoint a Management Committee - which will be the team that co-ordinates the whole event.
