To anyone researching Sooyang Do, it may seem counterintuitive to the very essence of our art, that we make allowance for and stage events for those keen to test their skills in a “competitive” environment. Sooyang Do exists, after all, to promote participation in martial arts training for the primary purpose of enabling practitioners to improve their health and well-being, within a stress-free, non-competitive and completely safe environment. It would, of course, be impossible to argue that a competitive sparring environment is absolutely consistent with such an ethos.
We are aware, however, that there is an appetite among many of our students, particularly younger students, to ‘test’ themselves in such an environment and, during recent years, have staged several extremely successful “sparring competitions”, which have satisfied such appetites and provided a huge degree of satisfaction, enjoyment and entertainment for participants, organisers and spectators alike.
In doing so, we have insisted that they are conducted with a clear emphasis on the physical safety of participants whilst ensuring that the ‘competitive’ element does not detract from the spirit of camaraderie which exists between all students of Sooyang Do.
Participants are required to reach Bo Dan (provisional black belt) status prior to being eligible to take part, thereby ensuring not only that all participants are adequately trained to exercise the necessary degree of control, but that they are fully immersed in and fully accepting of a Sooyang Do culture which would prohibit any unnecessary force or undue emphasis on personal glory.
Through careful consideration, planning and preparation, we believe we have created a unique environment in which mutual respect is paramount and, which despite the competitive element, can help some in their pursuit of excellence, whilst preserving our core values.
NOTICE REGARDING SPARRING - 04/03/2016
Following recent requests for clarification, I would like to re-state the official position of Sooyang Do Martial Art International in relation to the issue of contact and/or competitive sparring.
On-going scientific and medical research into the effects of combat sports, particularly and specifically in relation to the potential for long term brain injury, serves to strengthen our stance that the teaching of or participation in contact or competitive sparring, within Sooyang do, remains strictly forbidden prior to achieving black-belt status. This policy is in place to ensure that all students are not only sufficiently well trained to exercise appropriate levels of movement and control, but that they are also immersed in and completely accepting of the unique culture of respect which underpins our entire organisation.
It should, therefore, be clearly understood that any participation in such sparring at coloured belt level, forms no part of the Sooyang Do approved syllabus. It is neither sanctioned by, supported by, ratified by or controlled by Sooyang Do Martial Art International, and is not in any way included in the insurance cover provided to Sooyang Do students or instructors by Sooyang Do Martial Art International via our governing body.
Sooyang Do Martial Art International therefore accepts no responsibility for any injury or mishap occurring as a result of training for or participating in external events such as sparring competitions.
Should anyone require further clarification, please do not hesitate to contact us for further information.
| Weight Category | Winner | Runner Up |
|---|---|---|
| Beginner Females | Jessie Martin | Lily Brown |
| Beginner Females | Sasha Collins | Mollie Alexander |
| Beginner Men | Myles Rae | Watson Clark |
| Boys under 16 years | Ryan Bremner | Joel Gooch & Jakub Wielgosz |
| Men 16 - 17 years | John Getliff | Ellis Malcom |
| Females | Joe MacPherson | Suzy Robertson |
| Men light weight | James Christie | Adam Milne |
| Men mid-heavy weight | Ross Mason | Mark Addison |
| Weight Category | Winner | Runner Up |
|---|---|---|
| Beginner Men | Luke Crombie | Damien Lee |
| Females 12-16 years | Jasmyn Lawson | Kirsten Smith |
| Senior Females | Patty Forbes & Jane Stewart | |
| Boys 16 years | Ryan Bremner | Rory Forbes |
| Men | Ross Mason | Mark Addison |
| Weight Category | Winner | Runner Up |
|---|---|---|
| Junior Ladies | Jasmine Lawson | Kirsten Smith |
| Boys | Ryan Bremner | Alex Garrett |
| Boys 15-16 years | Mostyn Farquhar | Jarvis Bull |
| Senior Men | Conor Roberts | Joint - James Christie/Barry Philp |
| Weight Category | Winner | Runner Up |
|---|---|---|
| Girls | Kirsten Smith | Jasmine Lawson |
| Ladies | Joe MacPherson | Sakshi Sircar |
| Boys 14yrs and under | Ryan Bremner | Alex Garrett |
| Boys 15 - 16yrs | Jarvis Bull | Lewis Pettifer |
| Mens Light/Mid weight | Adam Milne | James Christie |
| Mens Mid/Heavy weight | Declan Coutts | Lee Walker |
| Weight Category | Winner | Runner Up |
|---|---|---|
| Beginner Boys | William Worton | Steven Rambaund |
| Over 50kg Boys | John Getliff | Jarvis Bull |
| Girls | Joe Macpherson | Kirsten Smith |
| Under 50kg Boys | Jack Proctor | Ryan Bremner |
| Lightweight Men | Arron Pearson | Andrew Mason |
| Heavy Weight Men | Andy Keil | Lee Walker |
| Weight Category | Winner | Runner Up |
|---|---|---|
| Heavy Weight Men | Declan Coutts | Conor Roberts |
| Light Weight Men | Danny Collins | Neil Menzies |
| Ladies | Jordan Coutts | Kirsty Finnie |
| 14 - 16yrs Boys | Elliot Mackintosh | Owen McDonald |
| 10 - 14yrs Boys | John Getliff | Finlay Marshall |
| 10 - 13yrs Boys | Sol Collins | Jack Proctor |
| Beginner Boys | Euan Harris | William Bell |
