The Trinidad and Tobago Taekwondo Association will begin their Campaign at the 5th Commonwealth Taekwondo Championships in Chennai, India, today. Avin Maharaj, the country's Flyweight, Champion will be opening his account against Vanlairuata of India. Avin has been training in Washington with the top IOC Coach, Master Patrice Remark, who is expected to revisit Trinidad and Tobago at the end of the month. The country's National Coach, Mr. Colin Mofford, is expected to join Master Patrice at his Dojang shortly and so could not make the trip.
Lenn Hypolite, the country's other entrant at these Games will begin Competition tomorrow in the Welterweight Division against Ewan Harrison of Scotland. The two Athletes will be coached by Master Sung Chul Whang, who along with former TT Olympian, Chinedum Osuji, currently trains both Lenn and Dorian Alexander in New York. Alexander for personal reasons had to withdraw from the outing at the last minute.
The country's National Coach, Mr. Colin Mofford, is expected to join Master Patrice at his Dojang for a few weeks and so could not make the trip.
Mr. Anthony Ferguson, the TTTA's and Caribbean Taekwondo Federation's President has been appointed to the Arbitration Board for these Championships. He expressed great optimism at the Country's chances here. Ferguson explained that in this pen-ultimate year of the London Olympics, it was important that the country's hopefuls be afforded the opportunity to compete with Athletes from those parts of the world where the most Olympic and World Medals are drawn.
Mr. Ferguson also commented on the power of Sports. He said that generally when asked from he came and responded, Trinidad and Tobago, he would draw a blank. However when he added Brian Lara's country, there would always be an appreciative and welcoming smile. Some he said even mentioned Ato Boldon and he for good measure would add Dwight Yorke.