Kickboxing stars set for World Championships

Published 24 Feb 2010 10:08 0 Comments

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Alloa School of Taekwon-do instructor Adam Paterson and the successful students, Dylan Christie, Shaun McGill and Andrew Ballantyne who are set to head to the USA.

THREE talented young students and a champion instructor from the Alloa School of Taekwon-do have qualified for the Scottish kickboxing team.

Dylan Christie (12), Shaun McGill (12) and Andrew Ballantyne made it through the qualifying event in Wishaw, along with Scottish champion Adam Paterson, who coaches the three youngsters at classes held in Alloa West Church.

It's the third year in a row that the Alloa club has had members selected for the national team competing in the World Kickboxing Championships.

Dylan, who attends Alloa Academy, put in a fantastic performance in the semi-contact junior division at the qualifying event and missed out on the gold medal by one point in the final.

Instructor Gary McGuire said, "It's always hard to lose by a point, but Dylan showed he had the discipline and skill to do even better next time."

Shaun, a pupil at St Modan's High, represented Scotland at the World Championships in Spain last year and qualified again by winning silver in both the light contact and semi-contact divisions.

Adam Paterson said, "Shaun has come on so much since he competed in Spain last year. He has tremendous heart and never lets his head go down even when facing an opponent who was older and a lot taller than him."

Andrew, of Alva Academy, was one of the Alloa club's three medallists at the World Championships in Spain last year, winning a Bronze medal in the semi-contact category.

He was well prepared for this year's event, but after an impressive win in his opening match, an injury led to his exit from the competition. However he automatically qualified for the team following his success last year.

Adam Paterson (24), who teaches martial arts to children from the age of three, also took to the floor at this year's tournament.

Having qualified for the team as the number one Scottish seed for the past three years, he was keen to maintain his top ranking status.

Competing in the 71kg division, Adam progressed comfortably through to the final and went on to pick up the gold medal for a third year in a row.

The Taekwon-Do and kickboxing instructor has dominated this weight class for the past three years, winning every major Scottish kickboxing event. He also picked up a bronze medal at the 2008 World Championships in the USA, and another bronze in Spain the following year.

He said, "The experience I've gained through competitions all over the world means I can filter it down and prepare my students for the same level of success if they choose to take that route.

"Being a Taekwon-do athlete, it's important to learn the basic rules of kickboxing before competing, but it's just as important to remain composed, respectful of your opponent and not to be influenced by others - regardless of how irritating they can be!

The Alloa School of Taekwon-Do TKD Tigers classes for children aged 3-6, and Taekwon-do classes for seven years and above.

Classes take place in a fully matted and safe environment.

The school also has the busiest adults' Taekwon-Do and Kickboxing classes in the Wee County.

A free suit is on offer to anyone who joins the school this month.

For more information call Adam on 07921168240, or email info@AlloaTKD.co.uk, or visit the website www.AlloaTKD.co.uk

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