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Scotland National Team: Elite Squad. Trelleborg Open, Sweden 2012
The Scotland National Team Elite Squad had 3 players at the A Class Trelleborg Open in Sweden – Feb 11th/12th. Asia Bailey (JF-44kg), Naomi Strathie (JF-42kg) and Jordyn Smith (Minors -30kg) all from Central Taekwondo Academy, did a fantastic job representing their club and country.
Asia, in her first ever A Class match, was drawn against Beth Worthington, who is the current European Bronze Medallist. Asia’s high kicking was very effective and she took the match 6-3. Beth is favourite to be selected for the forthcoming Junior World Championships in Egypt – this result gives the selectors something to think about! It was a very tough category and in her quarter final game Asia had to face the British Open winner Katrin Koppe from Germany. It was a very close game with the girls scoring at the same time with strong body shots.
Asia’s high kicks missed by inches and the game ended up going to the German 4-2 but still a great first A Class tournament for Asia.
Next up was Naomi. At still only 13 this was not only Naomi’s first A Class event, it was also her first outing in the juniors.
She was unlucky to draw the British Open winner Erin Berg Jacobsen from Norway. The first few exchanges saw Naomi come very close to scoring with head shots, including a denied video replay for a 4 point reverse turning kick! The Norwegian used her experience to pick off head shots of her own and even when well behind on points against one of the best female juniors in the competition, Naomi showed great courage and kept attacking to the end.
Jordyn was moved up into the -30kg category despite only weighing 26! She was in a straight final with Albina Tukhvatulinna from Russia. Jordyn gave a stunning display which drew praise from watching coaches, spectators and officials. The Russian girl threw everything at Jordyn but was unable to connect as Jordyn’s footwork and counter attacks were superb. Jordyn scored with both feet, back kicks and spins and ran out a 13-1 point gold medallist. Still only 10 years old Jordyn has now taken gold medals in Luxembourg, Germany and Sweden.
All three girls went straight from competing in Sweden to training with the National Talent Squad in Manchester.
With continued hard work prospects look fantastic for these possible future Olympians!
Asia, in her first ever A Class match, was drawn against Beth Worthington, who is the current European Bronze Medallist. Asia’s high kicking was very effective and she took the match 6-3. Beth is favourite to be selected for the forthcoming Junior World Championships in Egypt – this result gives the selectors something to think about! It was a very tough category and in her quarter final game Asia had to face the British Open winner Katrin Koppe from Germany. It was a very close game with the girls scoring at the same time with strong body shots.
Asia’s high kicks missed by inches and the game ended up going to the German 4-2 but still a great first A Class tournament for Asia.
Next up was Naomi. At still only 13 this was not only Naomi’s first A Class event, it was also her first outing in the juniors.
She was unlucky to draw the British Open winner Erin Berg Jacobsen from Norway. The first few exchanges saw Naomi come very close to scoring with head shots, including a denied video replay for a 4 point reverse turning kick! The Norwegian used her experience to pick off head shots of her own and even when well behind on points against one of the best female juniors in the competition, Naomi showed great courage and kept attacking to the end.
Jordyn was moved up into the -30kg category despite only weighing 26! She was in a straight final with Albina Tukhvatulinna from Russia. Jordyn gave a stunning display which drew praise from watching coaches, spectators and officials. The Russian girl threw everything at Jordyn but was unable to connect as Jordyn’s footwork and counter attacks were superb. Jordyn scored with both feet, back kicks and spins and ran out a 13-1 point gold medallist. Still only 10 years old Jordyn has now taken gold medals in Luxembourg, Germany and Sweden.
All three girls went straight from competing in Sweden to training with the National Talent Squad in Manchester.
With continued hard work prospects look fantastic for these possible future Olympians!