Year Eleven Pupil Earns Black Belt and National Umpire Recognition

Last December, Year Eleven pupil Gabriella Hailwood achieved her 1st Dan Black Belt in ITF Taekwondo, marking the culmination of seven years of dedication and perseverance. Attaining this prestigious rank required Gabriella to undergo an intense final test in front of four Taekwondo Masters. The test included the precise execution of five complex patterns (Tuls), each involving up to 37 movements, as well as technical kicking, set sparring routines, free sparring, sparring against two opponents simultaneously, and a rigorous theory examination. Gabriella’s remarkable achievement also makes her the youngest Black Belt in her club.

Adding to her incredible year, Gabriella became the youngest Taekwondo Umpire invited to officiate bouts at a UK National Competition. This challenging role involved managing time, pausing the clock as needed, interpreting signals from the senior Centre Umpire, issuing warnings and fouls, and accurately delivering scores after each bout.

Reflecting on her journey, Gabriella shared: “The tenets of Taekwondo include Integrity, Perseverance, and Indomitable Spirit. To get my Black Belt, I had to overcome numerous setbacks and challenges. I could easily have given up, but I am so proud that I didn’t. It may be daunting to navigate an adult’s world as a young person, but always believe in yourself and your abilities.”

Gabriella’s achievements demonstrate her talent and determination at such a young age. She plans to continue competing and umpiring at National competitions and hopes to expand her reach to International events in the future. Congratulations to Gabriella on her fantastic achievements!