Another month has flown by! A huge well done to everyone for preparing for gradings and competitions—especially with the added challenge of the bank holidays disrupting regular training. Despite this, many of you showed great commitment by attending extra sessions, and it really paid off. May has been another month full of achievements and progress! As things begin to quieten down over the coming weeks, it’s a perfect time to reflect, reassess your goals, and focus on areas such as fitness, flexibility, and technique.

May Colour Belt Grading

A big congratulations to all 24 students who took part in this month’s grading. Your hard work and perseverance were clear to see. Congratulations to our successful students:

9th Kup: Clara
8th Kup: Matilda, Adam, Aga, Peter, Thomas, Amelie, Graham, Ivy
7th Kup: Rafael, Carolina, Neil, Aimee, Henry
6th Kup: Luna, Isaac
5th Kup: Sarah
4th Kup: Ela, Alara, Joshua
3rd Kup: Pablo
2nd Kup: Erin, Amelia, Andrea

Special congratulations to our A-Pass achievers: Alara, Ela and Neil!

We were also delighted to see our newly promoted Black Belts receive their certificates from Grand Master Dew—a proud and memorable moment for all.

Congratulations, Ethan!

A special mention goes to Mr Ethan Osborne-Whiting, one of our dedicated instructors, who passed his Fourth Degree Black Belt grading last month. On top of that, Ethan was awarded the title of ‘Best in the South-West’ of England. This outstanding recognition is a true reflection of years of consistent training, leadership, and determination. It was a moment of immense pride to watch Grand Master Dew present Ethan with this well-deserved honour.

Welsh Championships

Exeter Eagles took a squad of 18 to the Welsh Championships, competing and officiating at this national event. It was a tough and highly competitive day, and we are incredibly proud of everyone who stepped up to take part. Here are the highlights from our medal winners:

• Alex – Gold in Foot Destruction
• Lorraine – Silver in Sparring
• Matt – Bronze in Sparring
• Laila – Gold in Patterns, Silver in Sparring
• Ela – Gold in Sparring, Gold in Tag-Team Sparring
• Sarah – Bronze in Patterns, Silver in Team Patterns
• Luna – Bronze in Sparring

The day was filled with determination, high-quality performances, and incredible camaraderie.

What stood out above all was the spirit and unity shown by the entire team.

Upcoming Events

Quieter June

June is traditionally a quieter month for us, offering a chance to pause and reflect. It’s a great time to reassess your goals, fine-tune your technique, and work on foundational areas such as fitness and flexibility. Some of you will be preparing for the World Championships, others for the next Colour Belt Grading in July, and many will simply use this time to develop skills at a deeper level. Wherever you’re at in your journey, this is a chance to take a thoughtful step forward.

Black Belt Patterns Course (Sunday, 6th July)

This is the first opportunity to secure a stamp for the second half of 2025.

To book on, click on the link below:

https://forms.zohopublic.eu/yourtaekwondo/form/BlackBeltPatternsCourse/formperma/VufqqiB3jIhUyDe0CShx-a5CLiFnBleWbZDNne0ABP4

TI World Championships (19th & 20th July)

The TI World Championships will take place at the Braehead Arena in Glasgow—a major international event and a great opportunity to experience Tae Kwon-Do at the highest level. Whether you’re looking to compete, referee, or simply come along to support the team, it’s a fantastic chance to be part of something special.

Click here to read the event pack: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/x7jzdw4b60fpjr6ikmv0i/World-Championships-Pack-2025.pdf?rlkey=7cq7jhfklgaxidhze4wowxgic&e=1&st=c3jbhhpj&dl=0

Interested? Please speak to your instructor as soon as possible.

Next Colour Belt Grading (Sunday, 27th July)

This grading will come around quickly for those who graded in May. If you’re not ready, that’s absolutely fine—your journey is your own, and progress is best made with confidence and preparation. For those aiming to step up again, keep working hard and stay focused.

As we head into the summer, take this time to recharge, reflect and refine. Whether you’re working toward your next grading, preparing for the Worlds, or simply sharpening your skills—remember that consistency and self-belief are key. Keep showing up, keep moving forward, and enjoy the journey. You’re doing brilliantly.

See you in class!