Ali kicks up a storm!

2:50pm Wednesday 5th September 2001

Fifteen year old Penge youngster Ali Mojahid, put in an awsome display at the British Isles Taekwondo Championships in Norfolk recently where he won three golds - in patterns, sparring and breaking.

He followed that feat by going gold at the London Championships in Erith, run by the UKTA organisation, where he was up against very tough competition but won his medals in sparring, in breaking and collected the over-all gold trophy.

In one particularly bruising encounter against Dean Reason, a red belt in the 13-17 blue and red belt section, the match was stopped after just 30 seconds when Mojahid performed a jumping reverse turning kick and knocked Reason out after connecting severely with his opponents nose.

Reason could only continue after treatment from the first aid team, and was beaten by Mojahid.

Mojahid is hopeful for his future within the sport: �I just try my best and hope that I can win my matches, so far its going well.

�I've learned a lot and want to learn more. I know I've done well, but there's always a lot to learn.�

Ali is showing every sign of following in the footsteps of fellow world champion club member Kylie Johncock, and trains at Crystal Palace National Sports Centre under the watchful eye of Tony Williams.

�Ali is a talented boy�, he says, �and if he keeps going in the direction he's going he'll be a world champion.

�He's only a red belt, but he performs like a black belt, and everyone that sees him in action can see what he's got.�

Ali will next be in competition on October 13 in Liverpool where he hopes to add to his medal haul.

English Taekwondo School has had two of its members selected for the junior CIMAC Super League to compete in America, where a competition is being planned, and they are fully sponsored by CIMAC, who supply martial arts equipment.

Kylie Johncock and Matthew Johnson were picked and will be giving everything they've got in their drive towards winning gold.

These three students are training four times a week and are very dedicated to sports, and although they are juniors themselves they insist on helping other juniors in the club and are very happy in this environment with youngsters giving others the chance to improve their skills.

If you want to join the club contact Tony Williams on 020 8303 4362 for further information.

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