Soho Parish Dragons celebrate rapid rise by hosting first-ever Taekwondo Championships
The success of brothers Lily and Maximilian Babak and their Holborn Tigers team-mates often makes headlines for us.
And that realization has now led to a whole new class of mini-martial artists taking to the training mat to learn Taekwondo.
Within months of its launch, Soho Parish Dragons already boasts “17 young students and a growing waiting list” for weekly sessions in Westminster.
And the club just celebrated its rapid rise by hosting its first Taekwondo Open Championship. There, more than 40 young people showed off their skills in one or both of the key events, poomsae (also known as patterns). You will be judged on your ability to perform a set set of actions. And Kyorgi, his skillful sparring skills.
Lili Babak defeated Maisie Underwood in a sparring match
Master Rienzi Torrent described the sequence of events that led to the dragon being ignited. “Lili and Maximilian both attended Soho Parish School and the press coverage of their efforts and successes in the Taekwondo world was well received and celebrated within the school.
“In fact, that article still hangs in my classroom.
“That led us to start a club at school and here we are now. The Soho Parish Dragons are on the rise.”
Reflecting on the opening game in which the Dragons welcomed members of their sister club Holborn Tigers to town, the 6th degree black belt added:
“The parents were all there to cheer us on, and we even set up a screen in the upstairs kitchen so they could watch the live stream of the game while buying food and drinks. It was great.”
Fittingly, Lili was one of the big winners with a triple gold medal. The 10-year-old red belt won the pattern event and then won the Champion of the Champions final, where pattern winners from each age and belt category all compete.
She also won a sparring competition, defeating blue belt Maisie Underwood in the final.
Maximilian Babak wins double gold medal
“It was very special to have the competition at my school. I couldn't wait for this day,” Lili said. “I'm very happy with my performance. I won three gold medals: one in fighting, one in pattern, and one in Champion of the Champions.”
The experienced fighters are now preparing for a busy summer. Lili added: “I'm really excited about the upcoming competitions. I have a competition in July and then I'll be taking part in the World Championships in September.
“My goal is to win at least one medal at the World Championships, but even if I don't win a medal, it will be a great experience. I run a pattern every day, doing 50 push-ups. I do 100 sit-ups. I wish there were more contests, but I really like it.”
Lili's younger brother Maximilian, 8, was also seen raising his arms in victory after winning his first gold medal in both sparring and patterns, followed by bronze at the Champion of the Champions.
After receiving the honor, Greenbelt said: “I'm very happy to have won my first two gold medals. I practice patterns every day with my sister, eat lots of eggs to gain muscle, and do 20 diamond push-ups with my feet up on the sofa. .
“I can do about 111 sit-ups!”
