Martial artists compete in virtual tournament
Alchemy Dojang, which is in Cresta, has had its students training from home with online videos during the lockdown and now their perseverance will pay off in the form of this tournament.
Local martial artists cannot wait to compete in the first virtual tang soo do tournament.
Alchemy Dojang, which is in Cresta, has had its students training from home with online videos during the lockdown and now their perseverance will pay off in the form of this tournament.
“This is an international initiative by a fifth-dan master from Poland, Marcin Kostyra, a personal friend of mine,” said Alchemy’s head instructor, seventh-dan master Gregory Hart. “Master Kostyra invited us to participate in forms and weapons forms by uploading our entries onto the championship Facebook page.
“There, videos of martial artists from all over the world can be seen. However, organisers of the tournament have asked the public not to share videos of competitors performing their routines without their permission.Seven students from Alchemy Dojang have recorded their forms and weapons routines in their driveways and gardens, and uploaded videos to the page.
The final day for entries was on 11 May, thereafter judging began.”I guess Kostyra has forgiven me for 2009, when we went to Poland for the World Championships and won all the medals,” joked Hart.
Hart himself won two gold and two silver medals and the trophy for best black belt at the championships, more than a decade ago.”Martial arts is a way of life for those who train and we hope that we will be able to start small classes again soon,” added Hart.”In the meantime we will continue to do what we can to be a positive force in our community.”
