31.12.2023 / Ataxon Taekwon-Do Open 2023 / 8th Devil's cup

Unusual date record participation

Another edition of the December Ataxon Open competition is over. This year, the eighth edition, was specific in the date of the event. The original date of December 2 was taken away by an administrative error on the part of the hall's landlord, and so a quick search and planning had to be made. The choice finally fell on 17 December, the third Sunday of Advent. Although it was not the best date, the turnout of competitors and clubs certainly proved otherwise. Despite various virological diseases, 331 competitors from 24 schools from all over the Czech Republic found their way to the Sports Centre.

The most numerous were the clubs from the Czech Taekwon-Do Federation and they were supplemented by two clubs from the Czech Taekwon-Do Federation and one from the Czech National Taekwon-Do Union. In terms of age, the student categories were the most complete and on the reverse age and participation spectrum were the senior and senior women categories.

After the morning weigh-in and the judges and coaches' meeting, the participants were able to board and at 10.15 the first male and female students were already on the six competition areas. We have a very good feeling that we already regularly manage to have six wrestling fields in the hall. The competition then has a great momentum!

For this year we have even experimented slightly by adding extra competition disciplines, or competing with Blazepod reaction lights. The response has been great especially from the juniors and pupils. By Sonkal Open, we'll have ironed out a few kinks from the first competition and things will be running like clockwork in May!

Even though some of the junior and senior categories were very busy, everything was fast paced and after a sporting battle we were able to announce the owners of the trophies for the most successful individuals among the junior and senior pupils.

The afternoon programme belonged to the juniors and seniors on alternate days, of course both men and women. Several proven pairs of opponents met on the tatami and their matches had great momentum! And it wasn't just the national team members who met, but many blue belts threw their logs into the fire. In short, there was a lot to watch.

In the run up to Christmas it was important that our paramedic Maruska Benešová was not too busy and the most serious injury seemed to be bruised ribs.

The afternoon came to an end and so did the eighth Ataxon Taekwon-Do Open. We had no choice but to present the last sets of medals as well as trophies for the most successful juniors, seniors and also to award the top three schools.
Individuals this time were from the three schools that also took the highest positions in the overall ranking. That is the organizing Sonkal, Silla and Třeboň.

Alžběta Plzáková, Silla - the most successful younger youth female
Tadeáš Ventura, Silla - the most successful younger youth male
Jana Korušková, Silla - the most successful older youth female
Matyáš Stuchl, Silla - the most successful older youth male
Petra Heydušková, Silla - most successful younger junior female
Vojta Filípek, Třeboň - most successful younger junior male
Tereza Simandlová, Sonkal - most successful older junior female
Ondřej Faltin, Sonkal - most successful older junior male
Veronika Rožboudová - most successful adult female
Jiří Novák, Sonkal - most successful senior adult male

School ranking:
1. Sonkal, 18-17-10 (gold, silver and bronze)
2. Silla, 11-10-9
3. Trebon, 7-3-4

In closing, let me thank you on behalf of the entire implementation team - all the competitors, coaches, judges, and the great group of Sonkal men and women who prepared and organized this year's Ataxon Open!

Also a big thank you to our partners:
- Prague City Council for financial support
- Czech Taekwon-Do ITF for financial and material support
- Ataxon for the protectors for the most successful individuals. Now you can find this brand among the approved manufacturers for the European Championships!
- Hayashi CZ for financial support


Take a look at the 584 photos taken for us mostly by Martin Hudák and also see the montage and reportage by Alexandr Mach.