Inverness teenager called up to Scotland squad for European Tae Kwon-Do Championships in Croatia
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AN Inverness Tae Kwon-Do athlete has been selected for the Scotland squad for next year’s European Championships.
Mia Croall (14) who trains with Buckie Tae Kwon-Do School will board the plane to Porec, Croatia for the ITF European Championships, which are due to run from April 26 to May 1.
The teenager has earned the right to represent her country at a selection event at Ravenscraig.
Croall will compete in 1st degree junior patterns.
This event sees competitors asked to perform complex sequences of attacking and blocking techniques.
There are a total of 12 different patterns, or ‘Tul’ that have to be perfected (nine colour belt and three for 1st degree black belt), and in each round competitors are asked to perform two of these, selected at random.
She is also waiting for confirmation of selection for junior female special technique in which three targets are required to be kicked. For junior female, starting heights of 110cm up to 210cm have to be hit.
Speaking about being selected, she said: “I was so excited to find out.
“It’s been my goal for the past four years, but I never expected to get two individual spots on the team at 14-years-old.
“I’m so excited and thankful for this opportunity to represent my country in Croatia and hope I do myself and the coaches proud.”
Katja Hansen, a 5th degree who has been teaching ITF Taekwon-Do in Buckie since 1993, said: “I am delighted for Mia.
“She has worked incredibly hard and dedicated so much time to their training.
“There is still work to be done, we have four months to continue to improve before Croatia.
“When she steps on the mats to compete I want her to feel as confident as possible and have no doubts about her ability.
“Without doubt, mental preparation is as important as physical preparation.“
