Apr.27.2010

Sankar's Taekwondo School won the Tobago Junior Open Tournament which was staged at the Signal Hill Secondary School, in Signal Hill last Saturday, 24th April, 2010.

Sankar’s school is coached by 2000 Olympian and two time Sports Woman of the year, Cheryl Ann Sankar. Her daughter Chelsea was named the most outstanding female in the Competition. Also among the winners were Tarique Murell (Best Taekwondo Spirit), Daniel Rodriquez (Best Male ) and Zenric Reid (Most Promising). The tournament attracted students from four taekwondo schools in the country: Euge, Sankar, Tobago and Olympic Style Martial Arts.

Sankar said she opened her school 15 years ago and is aiming at producing an Olympic medalist. Speaking after the day’s competition Sankar said she only brought eight athletes to the tournament. “The experience was good for the the belts who competed for the first time. We are proud of their achievements. We have a lot more work to do. At this level of tournament I see the differences. I need to take them overseas where they can get a higher level of training”. On her daughter's success Cheryl Ann said “she was involved in the sport from about two and a half years”. I trained up to eight months in pregnancy. When she came out she was a taekwondo baby. With more training and discipline she can do better”.

Mr. John Soverall, Head of School and Host of the Tournament expressed gratitude for the support he received from the many individuals and Organisations in Tobago.

Secretary of the Tobago Taekwondo School who hosted the tournament, Rachel Low said the tournament went “really well. It was well received despite the challenges of getting the majority of the participants over to Tobago”. Low said the organizers learnt a lot that would help them host future tournaments.

Mr Anthony Ferguson, President of the Trinidad and Tobago Taekwondo Association, expressed his pleasure at the success of the Tournament. He noted that it was the forerunner to the Tobago Open International Championships which is being scheduled by the TTTA for later this year.