Special needs taekwon-do world online champs tomorrow night
The Special Needs Taekwon-Do International (SNTI) World Championships Online Video Entries are in and results have been put together for the Live Streaming to be seen by the world tomorrow at 8pm (NZST).
This can be viewed from 8pm New Zealand Standard Time live on the facebook page ITF TV, the link: www.facebook.com/itf.tv
There was a total of 12 countries involved with 76 athletes from Australia, England, Estonia, Germany, Greece, Malaysia, Mozambique, Norway, New Zealand, Russia, South Africa and USA competing in the events: Individual Patterns, Team Patterns, Power Breaking, Creative Breaking, Jumping High Kick and Unified Abilities.
The athletes from New Zealand were selected based on their results from previous NZ Selections and World Championships results. The team is: Aidan McCance, Alex Menzies, Alfie Chisnell, Alisa Lythgoe, Andrew Bruce, Becky Humphrey, Brooke Moeke, California Poipoi, Chelsea Taylor, Chrystal Gray, Colin Potts, Daniel Fargher, Daniel Walker, Dean Budge, Freedom Henare-Taitapanui, Jacob Cunningham, Jacob Ross, Jenny Plumber, Karen Martin, Laurence Carr, Leonid Houben, Mark King, Megan Chui, Mike Arithemos, Nick Anderson, Patrick Donelly, Richard Peacock, Robert Bernstone, Samual Lea, Samuel Wyllie, Sapphire Jensen, Scott Couper, Scott Taare, Timoti Peter-Maranui, Tui Rukapau, Tupuna Rangi, William Askew, Zac Syed, Zoe Thrussell along with Ben Evans, Rodney Mackay, Diana Neemia and Joe Hooper who helped out with the Unified Abilities events for some of the special needs athletes.
The event has various athletes with all kinds of intellectual and physical disabilities who are color or Black Belt level all competing for the individual or team Gold, Silver or Bronze medals!
Due to Covid-19 as we know, most around the world have been unable to travel for international competitions. For the special needs, there were plans for the 2021 World Championships in Netherlands, but due to Covid-19, it was decided among all in SNTI to cancel as it would not be safe and uncertain about numbers attending.
Ben Evans said “The entries received has been quite overwhelming as SNTI was not sure how many would be in the position to take part due to tough restrictions in their countries with social distancing etc. I am very pleased to see many around the world demonstrating through tough times their indomitable spirit and perseverance to continue training in Taekwon-Do and to compete on the virtual platform. Taekwon-Do means and is everything to the special needs athletes. With them competing and seeing others around the world, it brings happiness and pride to them. The medal is a bonus but of course, if they win one, it will be cherished and held up high with memories.”
The ITF Headquarters based in Vienna, Austria, formed by the Founder of Taekwon-Do General Choi Hong Hi, ITF HQ since 1980s continues today, sent great support for the special needs Taekwon-Do World Championships Online. Ben said “The International Taekwon-Do Federation (ITF) supports this event and provided the ITF Online Platform, which could live stream the events of the SNTI World Championships. I am forever grateful of ITF President Prof. RI Yong Son support and the Founder of the ITF Online Platform Mr. Anton Arkhipov as without them, we wouldn’t have been able to provide such a professional system and experience for all international viewers and locally of course!”
Members of the SNTI and their families are all waiting patiently for the World Championships Online Streaming and results to begin 8pm tomorrow night on the ITF TV facebook page, this will also be shared by the Special Needs Taekwon-Do Federation facebook page for viewers to see.
“Although Covid-19 may have effected the travel options, it hasn’t effected the spirit of the special needs, they will all shine bright tomorrow evening with their results. I am very proud of them all, as all of us around the world are!”
