ITF World Championships Mar Del Plata- Argentina.

 

Following a grueling 15 hour flight to Buenos Aires via Paris then a further 6 hours by coach, a tired but happy ITF Scotland team arrived in Mar Del Plata, Argentina, home of the 2009 ITF world championships.  This years team was a mixture of rookies and veterans, 5 members were making their world championship debut whilst this was to be the 9th time Julia was to compete at this level.

 

The ITF Scotland team consisted of the following members-

 

Female Competitors

 

Julia Cross IV deg -58kg sparring & 4th-6th deg patterns, Michelle Redmond III deg -52kg sparring & 3rd deg patterns, Samantha Merritt II deg patterns, Lana Thompson I deg- special technique & -63kg sparring & Maree McDonough I deg patterns and power test.

 

Male Competitors

 

Mark McGeachie II deg patterns, Traditional sparring & -63kg sparring, Sean Wheelan I deg patterns & Traditional sparring& Greig Sim I deg patterns junior, -63kg sparring, power & special technique.

 

Coach - Heath Denholm V deg

 

Team Manager - Julia Cross IV deg

 

Results

 

Julia Cross Bronze 4-6th Deg Patterns & Silver -58kg Sparring.

 

After several rounds against Holland, Germany & New Zealand Miss Cross was against Argentina in the final the day after the preliminary rounds. She knew it would be tough as her opponent was on home ground but the fight went really well for Miss Cross and she was positive the decision would go her way. She had over powered her opponent and scored many clean, clear points furthermore, her opponent had 10 warnings to her 1. When the final whistle went she was ready to become World Champion for the 7th time, but unfortunately it was not to be as the Argentineans hand went up. Disappointment is not the word to describe her emotions. So many people including judges and officials said the win should have been hers.

In patterns Julia was put out in the semi-final by the eventual winner Belgium.

Michelle Redmond Silver -52kg Sparring.

 

Michelle fought very well and tactically in her rounds against Germany, USA, Norway & Belgium. She then faced Slovenia in the final where the Slovenian came out on top.  Michelle of course was disappointed not to have won but pleased none the less as this is her best result to date. Huge congratulations from us all. Well deserved.

 

Female Team Power Test- Bronze

 

Julia, Maree & Samantha had a tie for Gold in Team Power breaking and after several plays offs with Poland and New Zealand they eventually came away with Bronze. Another great result.

 

 

Male Team

 

Sean Wheelan was drawn against Poland in the first round of 1st deg patterns, the Pole is current European champion, and although he did tremendously well Sean did not make it through to the next round.

 

Mark McGeachie unfortunately did not proceed past the first round in patterns after going out on a technicality.

 

Greig Sim went through 2 rounds in the junior -63kg sparring to be narrowly beaten by Germany in the 3rd. This was undoubtedly Greig’s best performance to date, should he continue to progress as he has over the last twelve months he’s definitely one to watch for the future.

 

Mark McGeachie and Sean Wheelan got through two rounds of Traditional sparring with their impressive routine and although they did not take a medal place they are also showing a lot of potential for the future in this technically demanding discipline.

 

Female Team

 

Maree McDonough went out in the fist round of patterns to the eventual winner New Zealand.

 

Samantha Merritt also went out in the first round of 2nd Degree patterns to a more experienced competitor but did extremely well.

 

Lana Thomson also did extremely well in -63kg sparring getting to the second round where she faced the current world champion from Poland, Joanna Paproka, who went on to win Gold.

 

The ladies team were out in the quarter finals in Team sparring narrowly missing a place in the semi’s and a medal.

 

Thanks

 

All in all some great results!  Well deserved after many months of hard training.  The team would like to extend their gratitude to all those who have helped and supported them on their journey,  especially their instructors and of course Mr. Denholm for his time, patience and unwavering commitment to all members of the team.

 

 

Ladies Power Team.

Julia Cross, Maree McDonough, Samatha Merritt & Lana Thompson

 

 

ITF Scotland Team