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Camden New Journal - by CATHERINE ETOE
Published: 31 July 2008

Master Daniel Kobbina (front right) with his international medallists and club members

Medal joy for martial masters

Hwarang taekwondo academy team shine at British Open tourney

MARTIAL artists from a leading north London taekwondo academy have kick-started their international careers with a gold and silver medal haul. Angelique Caput, Annabel Gibson and team captain Adela Solomon of the Hwarang Academy looked set to face a testing debut as more than 400 competitors gathered for the British International Open Championships in Baker Street.
But the trio, who are coached by black belt Daniel Kobbina in Covent Garden, overcame the odds to take gold and silver and fifth team place at the prestigious event.
Caput led the way in the senior female competition (55kg, class A), outclassing her opponents to win the final and her division.
Club colleague Gibson fought her way to silver in the senior female (63kg, class A) category and skipper Solomon didn’t let the side down as she battled past national team players to take silver in the 57kg, class A category.
Master Kobbina, a former world champion goal medallist who started the “Warrior’s Academy” in Camden in 2001, is confident of even more club successes in the coming months. Three major tournaments are marked on the calendar and Master Kobbina said he expected up to eight students to qualify.
“Everyone who qualifies should get a medal,” he said, adding that future success would inspire the club’s 100-strong membership, who are aged between four and 57, hail from Camden, Islington and other London boroughs, and train in Euston, Swiss Cottage and Covent Garden.
He added: “Even if it is not competition you are aspiring to, it gives a sense of pride as well that they train alongside an international champion.”
For more information visit www.hwarangacademy.comembers

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