Harrogate KTA Taekwondo & Martial Arts Academy members bag huge medal haul at Mayor Cup Poomsae Championships

The 10th edition of the annual tournament was hosted by Ashville College and attracted more than 350 entrants from all over the British Isles, as well as Germany and the Republic of Ireland.

Organised and run by Seventh Dan Taekwondo Master Kambiz Ramzan Ali MBE and his Harrogate KTA staff, the event was also attended by Chris Aldred, Mayor of Harrogate, who helped present the medals.

Competitors showcased their skills in the discipline of Poomsae (patterns), performing sequences of technical movements to impress judges. Medals were awarded to the top four competitors in each category.

In addition, participants had the opportunity to compete in the Second Harrogate Mayor Martial Arts Open, inspired by the World Taekwondo Hanmadang series in South Korea.

Events included high jump kick, long jump kick, power breaking, and speed kicking, adding further excitement to the championships.

Harrogate KTA was represented by a strong team of athletes, including Katie Zarifi, Ammar Rafat, Zainab Rafat, Tayeba Rafat, Seth Gray, Samuel Berry, Ava Eini Masouleh, Leia Wibberley, Saharnaz Zarifi, William Harris, Matilda Davis, Dastan Ataee, Selena Teji, Tabitha Teji, Lionel Abdelmalak, Ethan Downend, Joseph O'Rourke, Amelie Thurstan, Sophie Chan, Harvey Ricardo, and Enzo Ryder.

And the team delivered outstanding results, winning a total of no fewer than 78 medals overall.

Thirty medals were secured in the Poomsae Championships (13 gold, six silver, 11 bronze), while a further 48 were won in the Hanmadang Open (30 gold, 14 silver, four bronze).

“I am truly beyond words with the success of the 10th Mayor Cup Open Poomsae Championships and proud to see how far this competition has come since its debut in 2017,” Master Ali said.

“I would like to congratulate all our members on their outstanding achievements, securing 78 medals across both competitions. And my sincere thanks go to the referees, volunteers, and organising team, whose dedication made this event possible.

“I am especially grateful to the Mayor of Harrogate, Chris Aldred, for his support and for taking the time to meet and present awards to competitors.”