The Students' Union taekwondo team are back from the student world championships with another amazing result!

Overall the team achieved :

1 Gold 
4 Silver 
7 Bronze

Team instructer, Aaron Bryant said: 

"Everyone did brilliantly. We have a team of people who are very competitive on an international stage. I was approached by the organiser of the worlds, and we have been invited to attend a bunch of both national and international events next year with lots of team members now eligible to be a part of the national squad next year as I have been this year.

To go from essentially no club to having a world champion ( Erika shaw - Who started taekwondo for the first time 2 months ago with us) really is unheard of and we have made big waves on the circuit."

We asked Erika a couple of questions about her new-found love for the sport:

- What attracted you to joining the taekwondo club at UCLan? 

As a Canadian, who used to be very active, and only knows my classmates here at UCLan, I wanted to join a sport and make some new friends. I tried Rugby (a sport I have previously thoroughly enjoyed) and the timeline with medical school didn't work. However, whilst at the try-outs I met a girl on the team, Emily, who also did taekwondo, and she seemed to love doing it and told me about the open classes to come and try it out. I was hesitant, as I have never done a fighting sport, but her endorsement, and a classmate’s willingness to join me for a night, gave me the courage to try it out.

- What's the best thing about being involved in a club at University?

The best part for me, is having another group of people outside of my academic life, that I can call my friends. They are all driven, social, inclusive, and fun. On the very first day I remember remarking to the instructor, Aaron, how included I felt, despite my complete lack of knowledge or history with any fighting sport. Plus it's given me another avenue to challenge myself, now athletically, not just academically. 

- How did you feel becoming a world champion in such a short time? 

At first I was just so happy to have made the final with my fellow committee member and team mate, Roisin. When they announced at the end that I had won, I was in disbelief. Then, promptly grateful to my coach and teammates for pushing me, training with me, even fighting against me, and most importantly, supporting me. 

Overall, it's just been an overwhelming experience, there was just soo much support, respect, and inclusion by all competitors, coaches, referees, and teams alike. I think I'm still in shock to be honest!  

- What do you like about the sport most? 

It's hard to pick one thing I like most, because what I’ve enjoyed is actually the variation. I like that the sport allows for competition in Patterns and Sparring, as an individual and as a team. So both the practice and beauty of the movement, as well as the application of the movements to both defence and attack. It's athletically engaging, and in the case of UCLan, it's been extremely inclusive, and allows me to not just compete alone, but with my team, constantly working together to succeed and better ourselves.

Plus there are times when we are just downright silly in practice. It's fun :)

The team's incredible overall final medal tally for the year is:

7 golds 

11 silvers 

13 bronzes

Total: 31

VP Activities Katie Sandison said:

"Massive well done on the squad's success this year. Coming from a martial arts background, it's amazing to see taekwondo growing and doing so well at UCLan. Keep up the good work!"

Here's to even more amazing results next year- congratulations Erika, and great work team!