Alchemy Tang Soo Do Club kicks SA Korean martial arts into high gear
Winning 21 medals at the South African Korean Martial Arts Gauteng Provincial Championships, the Alchemy Tang Soo Do Club athletes showed they have what it takes to be the best.
Cresta based Alchemy Tang Soo Do Club, led by Master Instructor Gregory Hart, bagged 21 medals at the Gauteng Provincial Martial Arts Championships.
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Held in Pretoria North, the Gauteng champs gathered athletes from all five districts, as well as KwaZulu-Natal, Northwest, and Limpopo. They competed in forms (patterns), weapons forms routines, point fighting, continuous fighting, and combat weapon sparring.
Eight Cresta martial artists competed against athletes trained in many different Korean martial arts, such as ITF taekwondo, NWAA taekwondo, combat tang soo do, world tang soo do, traditional tang soo do, Korean fighting styles (KFS), GTF taekwondo, hapkido, and kick boxing.
Hart explained that he is delighted with the results, and they can build on this for the National Championships in May, and be in a good position for the World Championships in August.
The alchemy martial artists competed in various divisions, ranging from white belt novice to advanced black belts. They showed off their skills in different categories excelling in each, and returning with 16 gold medals and five silver medals.
“We are a force to be reckoned with for Korean martial arts in Gauteng,” Hart said. “The club is not just about sports achievement; it is about personal growth and discovery. These students have matured and become, not just good martial artists, but good people as well.”
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He added that they are a complete martial art, which involves following a syllabus and grading through colour belts, from white belt to black belt, and then onwards to the master’s belt.
“These students have put in extra work, over and above the syllabus and self-defence, to develop their competitive edge and perform at the highest level in the sports competition arena.”
Several of the Cresta martial artists have been selected to attend the World Championships, in Inverness, Scotland, in August. They are determined to raise the funds necessary to represent their country at the highest level.
Hart added that with 20 other countries booked to compete, it’s vital these athletes get the chance to show the world what South Africa tang soo do can do.
The dojang is organising a fundraising tournament, open to all Korean martial arts styles, at the Danie van Zyle Recreation Centre in Newlands, for much needed practice ahead of worlds, and to bring in some funds.
Sponsors are welcome to assist the team with costs. For more information contact Master Gregory Hart on 0824529213 or email master_gregory@tangsoodo.co.za
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