Austrian Open 2010

Scorpion Taekwondo took a team of 7 players to this years Austrian Open held in Innsbruck. The Championship an A-Class International on the ETU calendar had over 900 competitors from 35 Countires. Scorpions did an amazing job winning 1 Gold medal & 1 Bronze medal from the 7 players.

The competition was for Cadets, juniors and seniors with cadets using the Adidas electronic protectors and junior and seniors using the LaJust electronic protectors.

Scorpions had 4 seniors competing at the event Stella Whitehead (+73kgs), Luke Hudson (+87kgs) and Scott Sutherill & Paul Glen (-63kgs). Stella just coming back from the European Championships where she reached the quarter finals at -73kgs was again in her chosen weight class of +73kgs. Having already medalled at the Dutch, German & Belgian Opens Stella was hoping to get Gold at her latest A-Class event. Stella received an unwanted bye through to the semi-final and had to wait to find out who would be her 1st opponent between Poland & Germany. Poland won on golden point and Stella faced Natalia Skwarek of Red Dragon Club, Poland. Stella came out a comfortable winner winning her semi-final 17-2. Stella's final was against Katerina Weiss of Taekwondo Özer club in Germany, the German beat Kouvari, Kiriaki of Greece (1st place World Olympic qualifier, Manchester 2007) on her way to the final. Stella knew this match wouldnt be as comfortable as her semi-final with Stella having fought the German at the Dutch & German Opens earlier in the year. However Stella came out on top yet again winning her final 6-3 and winning GOLD! Luke Hudson (+87kgs) was unlucky not to medal in his weight class, Luke fought Austrian National Team member Martin Huber and lost 0-2 with Luke being unlucky not to score a head shot which would of won him the match. Scott Sutherill (-63kgs) yet again was stuck with a harsh draw facing Steven Barclais of the French National Team 1st match, Barclais already German Open Champion 2010 went onto win this years Austrian Open aswell. Paul Glen (-63kgs) also faced a medal winner losing to Melvin Willems of Belgium who won Bronze. Unfortunately one scorpion team player couldnt compete (Caroline Fisher) as she was still out with her knee injury.

Onto the Cadets who competed with the Adidas Protectors. Emily Watson (-37kgs), Adam Warner (-33kgs) & James Wood (-41kgs) all competed for the 1st time at an A-Class International event. The standard of the cadets were exceptional and was a great test for our youngsters. All the divisions were high in participation, Emily Watson did brillaint after winning Gold at the children's international in Germany in February Emily added another international medal winning BRONZE at this years Austrian event. Emily had a big category with 17 participants entered. Emily won her 1st match 9-0 against Michler, Macy of Switzerland and then won her next match 9-3 against Croatian Gelencer, Sara. Emily then won a close match against Khaurotsina, Nastassia of Belarus 2-0. Emily then lost to the eventual winner from Croatia Korac, Mateja in the semi-final and came away with Bronze! Adam Waner was unlucky losing his 1st round match against Kovac, David of Slovenia 3-4 and James Wood also lost out 1st match to Topcic, Andrija of Croatia.

Well Done to everyone who competed!