TWO members of the Galway Taekwon-Do School are currently preparing to represent Ireland at International tournaments abroad next month.

Krzysztof Misiewicz will travel to Pyongyang, North Korea, to take part in the 17th ITF Black Belt World Championships, while Damien Vaughan has been selected for the Irish Colour Belt Team (A Squad) to compete at the Welsh Open Championships in Cardiff.

Both have had a good run in the tournament season so far this year, and have turned in some excellent performances. While it will be Damien’s first time to wear the tricolour abroad, having enjoyed considerable success at many national tournaments, Krzysztof is a seasoned international competitor and has been a member of the Irish Black Belt Team for several years.

He won a bronze medal in the over 85kg Sparring division at the European Championships in Estonia this year against some very tough competitors and will be hoping to medal again in Korea next month.

The European championship is widely regarded to contain the toughest field in continental tournaments, so this is a great start to his world championship campaign.

The pair are training hard under their respective coaches, travelling to squad sessions around the country on a weekly basis, as well as training in Galway with Mark O’Donnell, who is an ITF certified 7th Dan Master Instructor.

Commenting on the upcoming tournaments, O’Donnell said: “I know from personal experience that there’s a huge commitment required to compete internationally in Taekwon-Do, and many sacrifices to be made to prepare properly and realise the student’s full potential.

“Krzysztof and Damien have shown that they have that commitment and drive, and I’m certain that all the hard training and determination will stand to them next month.”

For more information on Taekwon-Do in Galway, visit www.galwaytkd.com