Inverness Tang Soo Do trio win medals at Dutch Open in Rotterdam

Three Inverness Tang Soo Do students represented Scotland at the Dutch Open Tang Soo Do Championships recently – and came home with medals.

It was the first time anyone from the Inverness club have been able to attend an international event since the on-set of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Third Dan black belt Laura Stewart (20) and first Dan black belts Jemma Wheeler (24) and Emmie Denoon (16) travelled over to Rotterdam to compete for their country.

Anticipation was high in the build up to the event, with all three athletes attending extra training sessions with the Scotland team to give them the best possible preparation.

Competitors had travelled in from the likes of the United Kingdon, Germany and Greece, but between the three women seven medals came back to the Highland capital.

Stewart led the way of the Inverness trio, winning silver medals in the knife and bong disciplines and winning the sparring competition – though not without some drama along the way.

Stewart actually injured her shoulder in the first minute of the final, but was quickly patched up by the medics on hand and eventually won 5–4.

Teenager Denoon also claimed a silver medal in the forms competition.

Together, all three earned a bronze medal for their performances in the team forms competition too.

Now the trio are hoping to compete at the World Championships, which will be held in Florida in the United States of America next summer.

Fundraising efforts have already begun to help Stewart, Denoon and Wheeler get there, and anyone interested in sponsoring or donating to them can contact their instructor, Master Kelly O'Connor, on info@invernesstsd.co.uk

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