Taekwon do students graduate with colours

Monday 6: Cook Islands taekwon do students completed their student grading on Saturday March 21 at the Nikao CICC Hall.

It was a day to remember for the 38 students who took part in the grading and achieved great

successes in the form of being promoted to their new coloured belts.

There were also two black belts who were graded in the country, which is a first for Cook Islands taekwon do. Ben Maaka was promoted to a second degree black belt

with an A pass, while Upoko Poko (first gup) who was promoted to first degree black belt with a high score of 94 percent in his theory.

The two applicants were tested using the ITFNZ syllabus which involved a written examination, oral test, fitness test, personal training with master Paul McPhail, plus all the usual criteria such as patterns, step sparring, self defence, destructions and free sparring.

Under the guidance and supervision of master McPhail (seventh degree black belt) and chief examiner from ITF New Zealand, it was a day to be remembered by all.

Cook Islands taekwon do president Ina Tararo, instructor Maara John, committee members, parents and especially the students would like to acknowledge sponsors, invited guests and ITFNZ for their

contribution and support in making this event a very successful one.

Special thanks to Arorangi Timberland for sponsoring the breaking boards, Raro Mart for the tiles to assist the black belts in their power test and Frangi for water, and to all the sponsors who helped the association throughout the year.

The local team would also like to thank master McPhail, Richard and Natasha Iotua from Tribal Taekwon Do of Counties Manukau and to Greg Skinner of Top Ten NZ for the supply of equipment for our club.

The Cook Islands taekwon do association will be holding its annual general meeting on Wednesday April 8 at 5pm at the Panama hall. All parents are asked to attend this very important meeting.

Congratulation to Upoko Poko (first degree black belt) who will be forming a new club called ‘Te Aorangi Taekwon-Do’ to start from April 13 at the Avatea School hall. Training days are Mondays and Wednesdays from 5.30pm

to 7.30pm -CITKD