The past few weeks have been a whirlwind for Kuk Sool Won Glasgow, filled with competition, camaraderie, and celebration. From the Scottish Tournament in Winchburgh to the European Championships in Norwich, our students showcased their dedication and skill, with the highlight of the two weeks: four female Black Belt promotions, a first for us.
Scottish Tournament Highlights – Winchburgh, May 23–24
This year we travelled to a new venue in Winchburgh for the Scottish Tournament – and it turned out to be our best result yet. We brought 14 students, and thanks to their effort and teamwork, we placed 5th overall, our highest ranking to date.
Eight of our students took part in National Testing – four beginning the next chapter in their training, and four completing their final test. Testing in front of unfamiliar Instructors is no small feat, and all eight handled it with composure and heart.
Standout Performances
Sarah S and DBN Apoorva (now JKN) delivered truly standout performances. They each entered four divisions and walked away with gold in every single one – a clean sweep. Valerie, who had been training hard alongside Apoorva in the lead-up, also competed that afternoon. Despite some nerves, she pushed through and took silver in both of her events.
It was brilliant to see the two of them compete in the final of their sparring division and still support each other throughout – a great example of what this team is all about.
Well done also to every student who stepped into the ring. Whether you earned a medal or not, your growth was clear – and the improvement we’ve seen in classes since has made all the training and effort in the lead-up worthwhile. Competing is about more than podiums – it’s about the confidence to put yourself out there to be judged by someone else, learning from it, and challenging yourself. You all did that brilliantly.
Celebrating Our New Black Belts
We’ve never had four female promotions at the same time – until now.
Training in martial arts builds confidence, strength, and resilience – and it’s especially empowering for women. Watching these four achieve their Black Belts side by side was not just a milestone for them personally, but a statement of what’s possible. They’ve shown up week after week, supported each other, and led by example. For the women coming up behind them – and for anyone who’s ever wondered if martial arts is for them – they’re proof that it absolutely is.
Jo Kyo Nim (1st Dahn Black Belts)
JKN Apoorva
Apoorva brings passion, consistency, and determination to every session. She’s competed at many tournaments and has won several gold medals over the years, and in 2024 won our school’s trophy for the most points scored at tournaments over the year. She’s one of the most dependable people on the mat, always smiling (usually while being gently mocked) and despite her doubts a few weeks earlier, her Black Belt promotion was thoroughly deserved.
JKN Valerie
Valerie keeps a low profile on our social media but her steady improvement and quiet confidence speak volumes in class. She always gets stuck in to her training, including the tougher sides of training like acrobatics and sparring. She has never competed before but tackled performance anxiety head-on to step into the tournament arena before her promotion – and came away with two silver medals. That determination and growth are what martial arts is all about. Well done Valerie!
Kyo Sa Nim (2nd Dahn Black Belt)
KSN Heather
Heather began training with us in 2015, before moving on to other schools – spending time at Rutherglen with my good friend Aaden, and then Claygate, where she earned her 1st Dahn Black Belt. She returned to Glasgow in 2022 and has been consistent in her training since. Seeing her progress and promote to 2nd Dahn was a brilliant moment and it’s great to have her back training with us.
Pu Sa Bum Nim (3rd Dahn Black Belt)
PSBN Sarah
Sarah started training alongside me in Aberdeen back in 2009. She’s also my wife, my sounding board, and one of the most constant supporters of the school behind the scenes. She’s now our first ever female 3rd Dahn and the highest ranked woman in KSW Glasgow. I couldn’t be prouder.
Demonstration and Team Spirit
I was asked to help lead the new promotions demonstration during the Master’s exhibition and had the privilege of performing alongside our newly promoted black belts – a real highlight for me personally.
But what really made this tournament special wasn’t just the medals or the formalities – it was the sense of team spirit. In the weeks leading up, everyone put in the work. Whether they were preparing to compete, turning up consistently to train, or simply showing up to support their teammates, every student contributed. That shared commitment lifted the whole group, and the atmosphere it created was something to be proud of.
Tournaments like these cannot happen without a lot of work behind the scenes, mostly by unpaid volunteers who just want to make an event like this as special as possible for our whole Kuk Sool family. Thank you to Master Gavin Chung for organising and to the Winchburgh school for their support orchestrating the venue. A big thank you as well to the venue staff and all the volunteers who helped things run smoothly throughout the day – your efforts made a real difference.
The Day After
After the tournament, we made the most of the chance to catch up with friends from across the country – all brought together through a shared passion for Kuk Sool. We spent the day socialising at the Scotch Malt Whisky Society, telling stories, laughing (a lot), and enjoying a well-earned break from the dojang. It was great to spend time with Master Gavin, Master Karl, PSBN Sarah Martindale, SBN Richard, KSN Malcolm and my wife PSBN Sarah – a reminder that Kuk Sool isn’t just about training hard, it’s about the people you meet and the community you build (mostly it’s about training hard though…).
European Championships – Norwich, May 30–31
The weekend after, Sarah and I headed to Norwich for the European Championships. We turned it into a bit of a family trip – bringing my mum and stopping over in Yorkshire to break up the long drive.
The European event was on a different scale – more people, bigger venue, and even more buzz. If you’ve never been, I’d seriously recommend thinking about it for next year. It’s a great weekend of competition, community, and fun.
After competing, we joined the Widnes team for a curry and early night (my age and judging duties the next day!). Saturday’s events closed with a full demonstration, including a jool bong routine led by Master Nick – something he’s taught at seminars for years. Somehow, despite minimal group practice, it came together beautifully.
Congratulations to Master Nick on his well-earned promotion to 7th Dahn earlier this year. It was a shame we didn’t get to witness the promotion ceremony in person, but the recognition is no less deserved. A huge achievement for someone who’s given so much to the Kuk Sool community.
We wrapped up with dinner at the same pub as last year – some food, some banter, and lots of laughter with friends from across the UK. That sense of connection, beyond your own school, is one of the things I value most about Kuk Sool.
Final Thoughts
Between the promotions, the tournaments, the testing, and the travels – this May has been one for the books.
Congratulations again to all our students. Whether you competed, tested, supported, or trained alongside your teammates – you made a difference. Every effort matters, and every success is shared.
Here’s to more milestones ahead.