When did you start Taekwondo?
I started Taekwon-Do in April 1997. I have loved it from an early age and continued it to gain my black belt when I was 12 years old. I continued training throughout my exams and University, whilst also doing a little bit of kickboxing. I’ve moved locations to live a few times, but have always found great Taekwon-Do instructors to keep me going
What is your biggest Achievement in Taekwondo?
Becoming a junior World Champion in 2nd degree patterns, and Vice World Champion in -42kg sparring in the same year as doing my GCSE’s! I’ve also gone on to become 3x Vice European Champion in 4-6th Degree patterns as a senior as well as picking up a bronze medal at a World Cup and World Championships across 2 events.
I’ve also been very determined to keep Mr Swain training for World and European Championships for more years than he would have liked, and he became a Vice European Champion in 4-6th Degree Patterns and also picked up a team bronze medal in his last European Championships.
What is your best moment in Taekwondo?
I love watching students make great accounts of themselves, in the behaviour, attitude and skills when performing both in class, gradings and tournaments.
What would be your advice to someone new to Taekwondo?
The best advice I have for a new student is, continue and enjoy the little gains and improvements – the achievement you will feel from getting your first belt is amazing and not like anything else – you will earn it for sure.
Mr Adam Swain
When did you start Taekwondo?
December 2002, at 13 years old. I was due to spend the night at a friend’s house who had Taekwon-Do. I wasn’t too interested in joining in, but lived it from that first session!
What is your biggest Achievement in Taekwondo?
As a competitor I won a Silver in 4th-6th Degree patterns, and Bronzes for Traditional Sparring and Team Sparring at the ITF European Championships in 2008 Wider than that, setting up Swain Taekwon-Do and watching our students grow as individuals and a group is something I am incredibly proud of.
What is your best moment in Taekwondo?
I’ve had many wonderful moments in Taekwon-Do… meeting many friends, travelling across the world (I’m currently in a sunny-ish field in Croyde at PUMA Summer Camp for the week), helping my mum to reach 1st degree Black Belt. But the biggest and best probably has to be meeting my wife at a competition in the Oasis Leisure Centre, Swindon.
What would be your advice to someone new to Taekwondo?
Have fun with your training and take the opportunities to train with lots of different people and different styles. That and make friends – that’s what will keep you training for years!
Miss Scott
When did you start Taekwondo?
In the early part of 2009, when I was living in Santiago, Chile. I spotted a poster on the gates of the municipal building next to where I bought my fruit and veg. It advertised free classes at times that I could fit around my work schedule, and suddenly I was hooked (and seeking out all of the classes in the area!) Ah yes…kicking between the tree roots with Transantiago rumbling by, and kicking pads in the dying light with Francisco and Estaban. That’s where it started.
What is your biggest Achievement in Taekwondo?
The way is paved with many achievements, and only very few are represented by medals. Persistence when struggling, those wonderful ‘aha’ moments when your body/brain finally lets you have that incremental gain, passing on knowledge to others, and that moment when I somehow had all the students looking like they were in a ‘Thriller’ video.
What is your best moment in Taekwondo?
So many! Training with a jedi master in Poland (and scaling that gate that’d been locked because we’d trained too late)…my first competition with the guys from Cams…the atmosphere at the Brighton World Cup…rescuing that baby fox…
What would be your advice to someone new to Taekwondo?
Never compare your journey to anybody else’s. We all learn in different ways and at different paces, and we can all learn from everybody else. And don’t use age as an excuse (or I will bring out the story of the 70-year-old marathon runner)!
Support your classmates, and enjoy.
Mr Hales
When did you start Taekwondo?
I Started training age 14 back in 1987 – crazy 80’s with some dubious training methods back then (like blindfold sparring and outside barefoot conditioning on concrete!!)
What is your biggest Achievement in Taekwondo?
My achievement which I am proud of, gaining my first degree in 2017.
What is your best moment in Taekwondo?
Best TKD moment was getting a gold medal for breaking at the Puma Competition – with a jumping back kick, through two boards (Black and White boards) I am also proud to be part of Swain Taekwondo – who have helped me improve and welcomed me back after a long break from TKD – a great School with a family feel and professional instructors.
What would be your advice to someone new to Taekwondo?
The best advice I have for a new student is, continue and enjoy the little gains and improvements – the achievement you will feel from getting your first belt is amazing and not like anything else – you will earn it for sure.
Miss Rachel Rosie
When did you start Taekwondo?
I started TKD in 2003 at 10
What is your biggest Achievement in Taekwondo?
My greatest achievement was getting my 1st degree black belt (with a credit) while I was also doing my GCSE’s
What is your best moment in Taekwondo?
My favourite TKD moment was beach training last year 2022) when we had a heatwave and we did almost all of the training in the sea!
What would be your advice to someone new to Taekwondo?
My bit of advice for new students would be to never be afraid of asking for help, it’s okay to not get something the first time and that’s why we train in the first place! being part of Swain TKD means you have a family to rely on when things get tough and we can all learn from each other
Miss Emma Bennett
When did you start Taekwondo?
I began my Taekwondo journey in January 2015 when I joined the Swain Taekwondo school and have never looked back! Prior to this, I took up Karate when I was 14 years old and really enjoyed both the physical fitness and the focused, educational side. I wanted to carry on when I went to university and joined the Tang Soo Do club when living in Cornwall. After graduating from Exeter, I missed the camaraderie and fun of martial arts and looked for another school in my local area. Fortunately, I saw that Swain Taekwondo were starting a school in Totton and signed up instantly, which I am so thankful I did!
What is your biggest Achievement in Taekwondo?
Although I am delighted with my two gold medals for sparring and destruction in the 2021 Puma British Championships, I am most proud of passing my yellow belt grading in 2017. I feel that was such a boost to my self-confidence, having taken my time to build up to it, and I felt elated when I found out I had passed!
What is your best moment in Taekwondo?
Having been a part of previous martial arts schools, I was worried that I’d not be able to adapt to Taekwondo, but I have! There have been so many opportunities with Swain Taekwondo – from competitions to training days – but ultimately, I have loved being part of the school itself. We are a huge family and everyone is so supportive. I’ve certainly seen an improvement in my Taekwondo as well as my self-confidence.
What would be your advice to someone new to Taekwondo?
I try to imagine what I’d say if I could travel back in time to a white belt me! I was always supported by everyone at Swain Taekwondo and given lots of positive, constructive feedback which has helped me immeasurably. For me, I think I’d say to ‘keep going’ – no matter how hard, technical or difficult something may seem – you have the strength to make it through, and everyone will support you through your journey
Jack Chapman
When did you start Taekwondo?
I started in 2015 as I was finishing my service in the Royal Navy, I still remember my first lesson and stepping into the Dojang for the first time.
What is your biggest Achievement in Taekwondo?
It has to be getting the Gold medal at the 2019 British Championships, the gold medal bout was the most difficult thing I have ever done in Taekwondo, the bout couldn’t be settled in the 90 second round or the 30 second additional time but instead went down to a “Golden Point” scenario and I still remember the feeling when I won!
What is your best moment in Taekwondo?
There’s not one moment really but I would say everytime I pass a grading, the relief and sense of achievement is fanatstic
What would be your advice to someone new to Taekwondo?
Trust the process, you may get disinterested sometimes however the rewards for achievement are well worth it. The whole point is to make you a better version of yourself, so when you reach the degree of a black belt, you are the best black belt you can be!
Dave Tomley
When did you start Taekwondo?
Back in 2015 with my son as a way to help keep us both fit doing something together. Don’t think that it’s just for kids, it’s better for families.
What is your biggest Achievement in Taekwondo?
Attending class each week as it means I am still dedicated and fit enough to keep going.
What is your best moment in Taekwondo?
I wouldn’t pick one particular moment, but would rather just highlight that there are regular little achievements that give me pleasure like helping someone learn a new pattern or sharing an idea that helped me get better at a kick or breaking one more board than I have ever managed before.
What would be your advice to someone new to Taekwondo?
Don’t give up. It might seem scary when you first start with a lot to learn and you might find it physically hard, but it’s a great way to keep fit both mentally and physically. If I can do it as I creep towards my sixties then anyone can and I guarantee that you will feel better for it.
