BLUEWAVE Korean Martial Arts have recently return from an enjoyable and successful trip to Detroit to compete in the annual Eric Rose Memorial Championship run by the Korean Taekwondo Association of America.

This is a very special championships for Bluewave as they have had a long connection with the Korean Taekwondo Association of America and the Rose family.

The relationship started when several of the current Bluewave instructors participated as part of the Taekwondo Chungdokwan GB team in the World Chungdokwan Championships hosted by the KTAA in Detroit exactly one month after the 9/11 bombings.

This was a very tense period and by travelling to the USA we were able to show our solidarity with our Taekwondo friends worldwide.

Since then they have kept a good relationship with the KTAA and particularly with Grandmaster Ronald Rose and his family visiting every couple of year to take part in their annual championships.

Unfortunately tragedy struck the Rose family in 2012 when Grandmaster Rose's son, Eric Rose, who was already a very well respected Taekwondo competitor and coach, drowned at the young age of just 27 attempting to rescue others who had got in trouble swimming in a Lake Michigan.

The Eric Rose Memorial Championship was established as way of remembering Eric, and his selfless sacrifice, by bringing together teams from across the US and beyond to compete in the sport he loved so much.

Having last visited in 2015, Bluewave KMA decided to make a return visit this year. Taking out a small team of four to Detroit.

The team's performances were spot-on and in the end we came out with medals in all divisions.

First up was Jonny Hainsworth winning the Male Black Belt under-30 Open Poomsae division.

Hainsworth then went on later in the day to take another gold in the Male Black Belt under-30 Sport Poomsae division and a silver in the male Black Belt Light/Heavy Sparring division.

Second up was Bluewave's senior instructor Gerry Reilly who took gold in the Male under-60 Sport Poomsae division.

Next was Hannah Seddon who in her first competition abroad took a very credible bronze in the female under-30 Yellow Belt Open Poomsae division.

Finally it was the turn of Coleen Reilly who took a pair of gold medals with clear victories in the female under-30 Black Belt divisions for both Open and Sport Poomsae, Planning has now started for a return trip in next year.

It is also hoped to host an American team from the KTAA at there Poomsae Championships in April 2018.

For further information on Bluewave, including class times please visit .bluewave.org.uk or contact the club via email on info@bluewave.org.uk Photo: left to right Jonny Hainsworth, Hannah Seddon, Coleen Reilly and Gerry Reilly