Many thanks to all the volunteers who made the League Finals 2012 event possible! Every small and big action was an important part of Finland's biggest taekwondo competition.

Results can be found here>>

Special thanks to Anastaasia, Vesa Lahti, Tatu Iivanainen from Vantaa Hwarang and Henri Nordenswani from the Helsinki Taekwondo Club.

Matti Sairanen, who represents our team, is leaving on November 22. going to the Para-Taekwondo World Championships to seriously pursue a medal. The bronze medalist of the previous games in the category A6 under 80 kg, now competes in a weight class lower.

"I've been training seriously and I feel like I'm better than two years ago in St. Petersburg," says Matti.

"I think that a lighter weight class is suitable for Mati, as long as the changed distances can be hit in the right place. Matti is physically very strong for the series," says Sampo Pajulampi, who is a coach in the competition.

Taekwondo aims for the 2020 Paralympics

In connection with the tournament, a seminar will also be organized where the necessary steps to add Taekwondo to the Paralympians' program will be considered. Taekwondo is not yet in Rio, but hopes are high for the sport to be included in the program of the 2020 Games.

Yesterday, Tuesday, October 23, 2012, indoor competitions were held in the Taekwondo athletes' hall in Konala, Helsinki, according to the already familiar formula.

Juniors first

The teams started the competition at five with warm-ups led by J. Kostiainen. This time, too, it was very nice to notice how many enthusiastic fans were already there during the warm-up. At the start of the competition itself, a few latecomers arrived to complete the group. According to my own calculations, there were more than 20 juniors present and this group managed to get through 57 taekwondo matches in a brisk two hours. At the same time, both the attendance record and the records of the matches played were new. Great! Nothing but the same excitement only for the upcoming competitions and indoor competitions.

Adults then

The adults started again as usual at seven o'clock with hujakas, and after all, more than twenty of the more grown-up hojots had arrived. By nine o'clock, 23 matches had been arranged according to the match lists. It was very nice to watch the taekwondo competition, as all the contestants participated with a good feeling and full heart. For many spectators, the evening dragged on longer than planned, as the constantly ongoing fast-paced and interesting matches delayed going home.

The new judges are at work for the first time

Taekwondo athletes Janne and Mikko also got to do real work and test the skills learned in the referee course. This way, as an observer from the sidelines, you can say that it went well. The confidence to do things was found during the evening and this is surely good for both of them to go towards the league finals. Applause and big thanks to Janne and Miko for acting as judges. Thanks also to Anna-Kristiina and Saija, who took care of the positions of timekeeper and scorekeeper.

Taekwondo athletes would like to thank all the contestants who were there. Once again, it was nice when we got high-quality competitors from other clubs in the vicinity who participated with good spirit to bring excitement to the match areas. You always bring your own extra spice to the soup when you get to kick other enthusiasts than those who visit your own gym.

Taekwondo match for all ages

On Saturday, an open match camp was organized at the taekwondo athletes' gym in Konala, Helsinki. The camp attracted 35 enthusiastic enthusiasts from all over southern Finland. The theme of the camp was overhead kicks, which have become very important in the modern game.

The day opened with a common initial dance, after which the children and adults both practiced two exercises. At the camp, upper techniques, dodges, defenses and, of course, practical applications in the match were reviewed - with an emphasis on upper kicks. The exercises were directed by Teemu Heino, Juho Kostiainen and Juho Ranta.

The taekwondo athletes thank all participants for their good mood and welcome everyone to the indoor games next Tuesday to test the skills learned at the camp. If there is still room for improvement in the match, you can apply to TU for more practice from open match practices.

In the belt exam held on October 18, 2012, Tanja Lovikka (2nd cup) and Jaakko Saha (6th cup) completed the new belt values. The new belt values were awarded by Teemu. The basic part of the belt test was held in connection with a normal one and a half hour training session, and match skills were tested during the one and a half hour match training session. In between, we "whistled" for 30 minutes in Paul's core exercise. Good luck with your new belt grades!

The summer challenge competition aimed at improving the taekwondo athletes' side split result was finally locked. The final results were not received from some of those who participated in the initial measurement, but from almost all of them.

He survived as the winner Mark Hannula from the adult follow-up group. Markku's result improvement was 9.36 % for body length. You took over the second place Elias Röyttä From the advanced group of 7-10 year olds by improving his stretch 9.16 % and thus falling short of Markus. Third, your wedge Lotta Veira from the elementary group of adults 7.60 % with its improvement.

The taekwondo athletes will reward the best three of the competition with the club's new T-shirts, with which you can participate in, for example, the club's for the shirt competition. Prize shirts can be redeemed at the gym. Good luck to the winners!