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Midsomer Norton
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Midsomer NortonSenior Instructor of DES TKD, Derek Skidmore, introduced Taekwondo to the Norton/Radstock area on 12th September 1994. He is a former sparring and weapons champion, and currently 5 times national destruction champion and UK record holder.Based at Norton Hill School sports centre the academy has grown in strength producing over thirty black belts and over five hundred regional, national, european and world champions. The school still leads the way since its inception, when Taekwondo was first introduced to the area with the TAGB and now with Europes largest ITF group PUMA. The school is still the most successful in the area and the only school authorised and recognised by the ITF to instruct Taekwondo in Midsomer Norton and Radstock with its instructors and students grades recognised worldwide. September 2000 saw many of the South Wests TAGB senior instructors leave, taking with them thousands of students and formed PUMA (Professional Unification of Martial Arts) led by two of the biggest names in Martial Arts; Master Raymond Gayle - 7th degree black belt and Master Mark Ogborne - 7th degree black belt and in a very short space of time has become the largest, fastest growing and most respected ITF groups in Europe today. The ITF (International Taekwondo Federation) invented Taekwondo under the founder Major General Choi Hong Hi - 9th degree black belt. Being part of the ITF ensures our students receive the very best tuition in Taekwondo as we are the only school authorised by the ITF in the Midsomer Norton area to teach true traditional taekwondo following General Choi's philosophies. All gradings and belts earned by our students are recognised and respected all over the world, we are one of a few groups in the area that can boast this. Other schools in the area who grade and belt their students would not have this kind of recognition nationally or internationally. Little Pumas was introduced to the Midsomer Norton school in April 2007 and is aimed at 4-6 year olds. PUMA brought the concept back from America in 2000, originally called Little Ninjas it was renamed to maintain its own identity and to stop the confusion with other schools using different teachings under the same name. Miss Karen Dowse is the little puma instructor, she is a 3rd degree black belt, a member of the England Squad, and a bronze medalist from the 2007 world championships. Little pumas teach the basics of martial arts, courtesy, respect and discipline whilst being in a fun and enjoyable environment. Classes are also run for Juniors (7+) and senior classes for male and female of all ages. Classes cover traditional taekwondo, fitness, sparring , bag & pad work, self defence and destruction. |