Fr om 11th to 13th of October in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk the Cup of Russia in Taekwondo discipline was held. Recently such large and significant events have become more and more frequent in the Far East, and we hope that this positive trend will continue in the future.

This year, 64 strongest athletes from ten regions of the country competed for the title of the winner: Krasnodar Krai, Moscow, Sakhalin, Rostov and Penza Oblasts, Primorsky Krai, Republic of Adygea, Republic of Dagestan.

The participants were welcomed by the Senator of Sakhalin Oblast Andrei Khapochkin and the Deputy Minister of Sports of the island region Svetlana Khodiush. They wished all the participants bright and uncompromising fights, fair refereeing and unforgettable memories.

‘I am glad that we have expanded the geography of such large and important events. Today, athletes from the Krasnodar and Primorsky Territories, the Republics of Dagestan, Adygea, Penza, Rostov, Sakhalin Oblasts and Moscow demonstrated their skills on the island,’ commented Pavel Posya, the Chief Referee of the competition.

The athletes competed in two disciplines — poomsae (individual, pairs and triples) and kyorugi by weight categories, demonstrating their technical skills.

Kyorugi is a contact sport in which two athletes fight each other using a variety of kicking and punching techniques. The main goal is to score more points than the opponent by performing correct and accurate kicks.

And poomsae is a series of formal exercises that are sequences of movements that simulate fights with imaginary opponents.

And if last year the team from Krasnodar Krai led the similar national cup, this time the representatives of the Republic of Dagestan were among the favourites in all men's weight categories. In addition, the female representatives of the Highlanders also tried to support their successes, which eventually resulted in a team breakthrough. The Muscovites also moved up a step compared to last year.

Results of the Russian Taekwondo Cup:

Many participants consider these competitions as an intermediate stage: in just over a month, from 29 November to 3 December, the Russian Championships will begin in Nalchik (Kabardino-Balkar Republic), wh ere the qualification for the national team will take place. Here everyone has a higher priority and accordingly most hope for a high result.

Results of the team championship:

1st place - Republic of Dagestan

2nd place - Moscow

3rd place - Primorsky Krai

3rd place - Krasnodar Krai

Text: Nurlan Tazhigulov, Maria Mazhenina
Photo: ARSFSD
Translation: Daria Kudelina