AIMAA's  National Championships
Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th September
in Limerick.

Anyone interested in attending this event should contact  Robert Fernandes or Monika Markowska.
(Dear Parents, we are happy for juniors to attend the competition, providing the child goes under a parents supervision)

GRANDMASTER HEE IL CHO TO VISIT EUROPE IN 2011!  

It's Official! Our president and founder, Grandmaster Hee Il Cho will be visiting Europe to undertake seminars in Ireland, Scotland and England. He will also be conducting the International Black Belt testing in Ireland during his time here. 

We will confirm dates, locations and costing of tickets to all students and our martial art friends in the coming months, and look forward to an exciting October next year, when we once again train with the most incredible martial artist on the planet!

The Gardner family did extremely well, Luke Gardener the youngest member of the family, did not win anything on this occasion, but performed really well in a category with over 25 participants. Jacqueline Gardener who also trains did not compete on this occasion, however the father and daughter came away with the following medals, following their successes at the A.I.M.A.A. European Championships earlier this month:

Steven Gardner – Silver medal, mens, brown/red belt, light continuous sparring +76kg

Steven Gardener – Bronze medal, patterns , brown/red belt

Hannah Gardner – Bronze medal, cadets brown/red belt, light continuous sparring

Battle of Jersey 2010
8th May 2010
Fort Regent, Jersey

We would like to say a huge thanks to all the kind sponsors, for coming to the fight night Show and support our local fighters:

A A Langlois Haulage Ltd
Cronus Consultancy
Danny Paxton Plumbing and Heating
Carrington Cleaners
Geomarine Ltd
Findyourbits Limited
FDJ Construction Ltd
As well as we would like to say special thanks to Fort Regent, for all the help in organizing the show.

The Show was absolutely great, very energetic and full of excitement..

All people who came to support us have done such a great job and helped us a lot
Was great experience to organize the fights this time for good reason.. for the donation of Teenage Cancer Trust

Cho’s Tae kwon Do Jersey in association with Global kickboxing Ireland hosted the first “Battle of Jersey” martial arts show on Saturday 8th May 2010. The show was organised in conjunction with Gracie Barra BJJ Academy, Jersey Kickboxing Club and Pisces Thai Boxing Gym.

The event had 15 exciting fights including 2 white collar bouts, who were fighting to raise money for the local charity “Teenage Cancer Trust” and included the martial arts disciplines of Tae Kwon Do, Kickboxing, Thai Boxing and MMA.  The atmosphere on the night itself was electric and the action was non-stop. 

The show started with a close kickboxing match between Paul Gallagher (AIMAA Ireland) v Dan McKenzie (Jersey Kickboxing Club), with Dan McKenzie just edging it after three rounds on points.
Next up was John Smith (Kobra Kickboxing Club) v Bruno Ferreira (Pisces Thai Boxing Gym), this was the first K1 match of the evening, which is basically a kickboxing match that incorporates low kicks and knees to the body. Bruno Ferreira (Pisces Thai Boxing Gym) got the decision, but it was a controversial decision,  as most people thought John Smith had won.
Peter McCabe (Global Kickboxing Ireland) v Seb Cerqueira (Pisces Thai Boxing Gym) was also a K1 match, Seb showed great technique and class, in easily beating his opponent.
Sean Pierce(AIMAA Ireland) v  Jake Brookfield (Pisces Thai Boxing Gym) again was a K1 match, but this time the impressive Sean Pierce notched the first win for the visitors.
Peter Doyle (Global Kickboxing Ireland) v David Gouveia (Cho’s Tae kwon Do Jersey) was a scrappy match with neither fighter able to really impose himself. Peter Doyle however just edged it.
The first women’s fight was between Lauren Mooney (AIMAA Jersey) v Stephanie Douglas (Pisces Thai Boxing Gym)  was a one sided affair with Stephanie Douglas being far too strong for Lauren Mooney and the fight was stopped in the first round.
One of the best and most exciting matches of the night, had to be John Gavey (Jersey Kickboxing Club) v Matt Blandin (Pisces Thai Boxing Gym), the first of the two white collar fights was simply brilliant, with both men going at it from the start. It was like something out of a rocky movie with both fighters exchanging heavy blows which rocked each other and really got the whole crowd going. After three gruelling rounds, Matt Blandin got the decision, but it could have gone either way.   
Hassan Sinanvic (AIMAA Ireland) v Rob Carre (Pisces Thai Boxing Gym) was another controversial decision, as again most people thought Rob Carre had won.
Jorge Basilio (Cho’s Tae kwon Do Jersey) v Derek Jackson (Jersey Kickboxing Club) was a heavyweight match which pitted 2 locals against each other. Jorge Basilio won against the popular Derek Jackson after 3 bruising rounds.
Karl Kavanagh (AIMAA Ireland)  v Carlos De Sousa (Jersey Kickboxing Club) was another victory for Carlos who stopped his opponent and looked impressive, he was however very lucky not to get disqualified for kicking Karl Kavanagh when he was down.
The other white collar match was between Stuart Green (Jersey Kickboxing Club) v Phil Faulkner (Pisces Thai Boxing Gym), Phil won in another bruising encounter and both men did themselves proud with another great display of courage.  
One of the highlights of the night were the two MMA fights, the first being Joe McKenna (Gracie Barra BJJ Jersey)v Charles Fleming (Arklow MMA Ireland), this was a very tough fight for both fighters who each took really heavy blows, the fight eventually being stopped by the doctor, after Joe McKenna received a nasty cut over the eye, which was a shame as he was definitely winning on points.
Liam Mcgeary (Gracie Barra BJJ Jersey) v Grzegorz Janus (Klub MMA Poland) was another great fight. Liam eventually won the very hard fought match with an arm bar with only 15 seconds of the final round remaining.
The first main events featured, Irish WAKO and Pro Kickboxing Champion Barry O’Toole (Kobra Kickboxing Ireland) who outclassed his younger Polish opponent Kajetan kierstein (Kickboxing Poland), dropping him in the first round before winning on points.
The other main event featured WUMA World Champion Monika Markowska (Cho’s Tae kwon Do Jersey) v World and European Champion Zaneta Ciesla (Kickboxing Poland), who represents Poland in both kickbozing and boxing.  The popular Monika Markowska entered the ring with the crowd shouting Monika, Monika. This was another close match, with neither fighter really ever being able to dominate her opponent. However after three close rounds Monika Markowska won again to keep her very impressive form going.

Robert Fernandes, the co-organiser said the night was a great success and the atmosphere was brilliant. The feedback from everyone has also been really really good. He also wanted to thank everyone who helped out and worked very hard to make the show possible, he was also looking forward to the next event, which he said will be even bigger and better.

Our dream team:
We had another great medals result for our club, especially as the majority of our students had never competed before.
The competition started with all the black belt categories, Monika Markowska competed in the women's black belt forms, light continuous category and the semi-contact divisions, in front of her students, who gave her great support.
Monika Markowska (2nd Dan Black Belt) won 3 gold medals in all the categories she entered
The medals results were as follows:
In children's divisions:
James Ferreira – Gold in individuals green belts patterns and silver in team patterns.
Vincent Fritschi – Gold in juniors semi contact sparring (up to green belts)
Steffan Williams – Silver in juniors semi contact sparring
Luc Gardner – Silver in team patterns
Jacques Brengeon – Silver medal in individual juniors patterns .
Oliver Agostini – Silver in team patterns and bronze in individual green belts patterns
Benjamin Fritschi – Bronze in junior semi contact sparring (up to purple belt)
Betsan Williams – Bronze in juniors black belt light contact sparring
Cadet division:
Hannah Gardner – Silver medal in semi contact sparring
Adult colour belts divisions:
Alessio Agostini – Gold in individual patterns division, gold in team pattern, silver in semi contact (up to 80kg division), silver in (up to 80kg) light contact continous division,
Fiona Fritschi – Gold in individual patterns (up to orange belts)
Nelia Castro – Gold in team patterns and silver in continuous light contact sparring (- 60kg division)
John Ferreira – Gold in team patterns, silver in continuous light contact sparring in heavy weight division and bronze in individual pattern.
Jacquie Gardner – Silver in light contact continuous sparring ( open weight category) and bronze in individual patterns divison.
Steve Gardner – Silver in team patterns and bronze in light contact continous sparring (heavy weight division)
John Ferreira – Gold in team patterns, silver in continuous light contact sparring in heavy weight division and bronze in individual pattern .
Sylvie Pierre – Silver in continous light contact – 55kg division, silver in team pattern and bronze in semi contact -58kg division
Jai Tan – Silver in team pattern division .
All our students trained really hard for this event and showed great spirit, determination and teamwork to win 35 medals at a European Championships is amazing and we are all extremely proud of their achievements.
Well done to all..
Robert Fernandes and Monika Markowska said - we are so lucky to be coaches of such a great students.so proud of all the kids, as they ve been briliant, and a bit older students-you are my tigers.cant wait for next trip,well done Chos Taekwondo Jersey

It is the biggest and main kickboxing tournament in Europe.There were 2352 competitors from 31 countries , including USA, Canada, Norway, Russia to name but a few, most of fighters were members of their national teams and quite a few were sponsored by companies such as Addidas and Top Ten to make this a truly remarkable event. The competition included numerous World, European and nationals champions and the standard was extremely high A.I.M.A.A Jersey and Scotland recently attended the "Irish Open".
Master Kirkwood and Tammy Sutherland (both from AIMAA Scotland) took part in this amazing event for the fist time, and although not placed, had a great time. Also in attendance was Mrs Kirkwood and Mrs Sutherland, as well as Sebastian Markowski (Photographer and Monika's brother) who were there to support those taking part. For more videos of our fights and the Irish Open log onto www.youtube.com/user/aimaascotland

Dear Students!!
We had another great medals result as follows:
Monika Markowska (2nd Dan Black Belt) won 2 medals in following categories:
Silver medal In a full contact -52 kg after losing a very close decision in a great final and bronze in a light contact -55kg division.
Monika Markowska competed in the women's black belt, light continuous -55KG category and the women's full contact -52kg division. All of Monika's fights were very though, after her medical and weigh in on Friday she fought her first full contact 3 x 2 minute rounds match on Friday 5th March against a Irish kickboxing team member and almost knocked her out in the first round with a powerful head kick, the Irish fighter was given a standing 8 count but was subsequently saved by the bell, Monika went on to win the fight with a unanimous decision. On Saturday, she fought in the light continuous category and won her first two fights convincingly against opponents from Scotland and Norway respectfully. She did however sustain a serious shoulder injury in the fight against the Norwegian fighter, which meant she was unable to use her boxing skills, in the semi-finals she fought another Irish National team member and even with the injury was extremely unlucky not to get the decision.
Because of Monika's injury we were going to pull her out of the full contact match on the Sunday, she was in a lot of pain, but being the person and fighter she is, she did not want to give up and decided to give it her best shot. Her full contact match against a Norwegian fighter, went the distance, but Monika won another unanimous decision, after using her kicking ability to keep her opponent at bay. In the final, Monika was up against the Irish Kickboxing champion. Monika only having fought 4 full contact matches, 2 being in this tournament was up against the experienced Irish fighter who had fought over 25 matches. In what proved to be a great match, Monika lost a very close decision to the Irish Champion, but considering the severity of Monika's injury it is remarkable she fought at all and put in 2 such good performances.

On 8th February 2010, myself, Monika, Miguel, Nathan, Nelia and Joao arrived in Hawaii to train with martials arts living legend and A.I.M.A.A. President and founder Grandmaster Hee Il Cho. We were all really excited when we arrived at Grandmaster Cho’s school and we were greeted by Grandmaster Cho when we got there. He told us to look around, which we did. The Dojang itself is beautiful, with a cream matted floor and mirrored walls, but the first thing you notice is the sign which says “House of disicpline” and all of the front covers of the magazines that Grandmaster Cho has appeared in for the last 40 years. There are also numerous pictures of Grandmaster Cho executing jumping kicks, breaking concrete slabs etc .
It was an amazing feeling to see Grandmaster Cho in his school and to line up in class with the Grandmaster at the front , only a few feet away. The classes usually began with stomach and stretching exercises, together with punching and blocking in sitting stance. When Grandmaster Cho starting shouting out the commands, you could not help but be inspired and energised. I was lucky enough to be in the front line and could see the Grandmaster really close up, for a man of nearly 70, he is unbelieveably fit, quick, agile and powerful. He is definately one of a kind and an inspiration to us all. He trains every day and teaches class everyday to both adults and children.

Dear Students!!
Please visit our new photo gallery, which has just been updated with photos from the recent grading.
All pictures are available to buy through our photo-shop.

Dear Parents, Students!!
Please visit our new photo gallery, which has just been updated with photos from the recent children's grading.
All pictures are available to buy through our photo-shop.
Do not miss this opportunity for a great Christmas gift.

Monika Markowska and Nathan Fischer competed in World United Martial Arts (WUMA) World Cup, in Worcester .
WUMA invited all styles and Associations from around the world to this world gathering of Martial Athletes.
Miss Markowska who is a formidable fighter and has won numerous titles this year and can now add two World Titles to her collection.
Monika gained World Titles in Point Sparring and Light Contact Sparring, both in the -55kg divisons. She also went onto taking a 2nd place in the adult Korean patterns division which consisted of both male and female competitors.
Another successful Jersey student was Nathan Fisher, who succeeded in winning a 2nd place in the novice patterns and a 2nd place in the full contact competition, after a hard fought match. As it was Nathan's first ever competition, it was an even greater achievement.
Mr. Fernandes who supports and trains these elite fighters, is very proud of the achievements of his students.
A big thanks, also goes to the Jersey Kickboxing Club and coach Mick McCue, who helps our fighters get ready for these competitions.

On the 16th of September 2009, A.I.M.A.A President and Founder, Grandmaster Hee Il Cho flew into Dublin, Ireland for the start of his seven day trip. Instructors and students from A.I.M.A.A. Jersey stayed with Grandmaster Cho, Mrs Cho, Master Darcy, Master Kirkwood, Master Byrne, fellow instructors and students from A.I.M.A.A. Ireland and Scotland, at the beautiful Glenview hotel which is situated in the "Gardens of Ireland", Wicklow, Ireland. It was a unique opportunity for instructors and students alike to meet Grandmaster Cho and to spend time with each other.

On Saturday 19th September 2009, Simon Todd and young Betsan Williams graded for and passed their 1st degree black belts testings under Grandmaster Cho, Master Darcy, Master Kirkwood, Master Byrne and Mr Fitzgerald at the international black belt testing, in Dublin Ireland