Journal Le Soleil - June 4th 2007

Media Matin Quebec - June 4th 2007

Journal Le Soleil - June 4th 2007

Journal Le Soleil - June 4th 2007

Journal Le Soleil - June 3rd 2007

Journal Le Soleil - June 2nd 2007

Journal Le Soleil - June 2nd 2007

Journal Le Soleil - June 2nd 2007

Journal de Quebec - June 2nd 2007

Journal de Quebec - June 1st 2007

Journal Le Soleil - June 1st 2007

Media Matin Quebec - June 1st 2007

Media Matin Quebec - June 1st 2007

Media Matin Quebec - June 1st 2007

Journal de Quebec - May 30 2007

L'appel - Week of May 30 2007

Media Matin Quebec - May 30 2007

Journal Le Soleil - May 31st 2007

Journal de Quebec - May 31st 2007

Quebec Scope Magazine - May 2007

Journal Le Soleil - Press Release - May 15 2007

Quebec City ready for the battle

“The biggest competition in ITF Taekwon-Do history” is coming to town

The budget is balanced, the schedule is detailed, we are only waiting for the 64 delegations that will take part in the ITF Taekwon-Do World Championship, from May 31st to June 3rd at University Laval’s PEPS (sports center).

“It will be the biggest competition in the International Taekwon-Do Federation history. We have already received the registration of 858 athletes and 226 teams. The world’s best will be there, the enthusiast will be pleased” said Trân Triêu Quân yesterday during the Press Conference.

He was revealing the headlines of the programme et presenting some of the participants from Quebec City defending their world title : Maxime Bujold, Marie-Christine Blouin and Geneviève Desmarquis.

The president of the event was pleased to announce that his group had respected the 1.1 million dollar budget prevision. He also announced that the different events will be broadcast throughout the world via Webcast. “I am going to see the same opponents I saw last year in Spain when I won. The World Championship comes every two years and I will do anything to win. In my category they will all be there. It’s going to be fun, even if they know me a little bit more. I am counting on the crowd’s support.” Explained Maxime Bujold, a product of the Lebourgneuf Club, now living in Beauport. At 22 years old, he cannot aspire to a participation in the Olympic Games since ITF isn’t part of the Olympic family. This right goes to the World Taekwon-Do Federation which doesn’t share the same philosophy as the other. “The two go very well, but I practice Taekwon-Do for me and not for the television… Thanks to Sports Canada Certificate, it’s easier for athletes of their federation to become full-time athletes” added Bujold while his Master (Trân Triêu Quân) added that the two disciplines were as different as tennis and badminton. The World Championship will also be the scene of related activities, like the XVIth ITF Congress. President of the International Federation since 2003, Trân Triêu Quân will ask for a second 4 year term at the head of the organization. “We have made a survey lately with all member countries and the satisfaction level is as high as 87%. We offer a good development plan for the ITF, a solid and efficient structure” indicated the one who ignores if there will be another candidacy with his. His biggest mission is to implant a democratic practice in this martial art advocating discipline, respect authority, etc. “What I am doing is a kind of soft revolution. I also want to present a business view” did he add.

Media Matin - Press Release - May 15 2007

Home at last

The medals are not the only reward for the sacrifices and the hours our training. Taking part in the World Championship in our own “backyard” at University Laval’s PEPS (sports center) from May 31st to June 3rd will give the occasion to Quebec athletes to exhibit their art.

“I’m glad, it’s gonna be fun for us and for you, the media. We already know that it’s a beautiful sport, now we’re going to prove it to you!” told us Maxime Bujold, from Charlesbourg, funny in live, but serious in action, as shown by his two World Champion titles, Junior and Senior (pattern and sparring).

“Our parents and friends can’t always follow us, for obvious reasons. My mother only saw me once in action, and it was in Honduras. It’s going to be a good experience to be at home” said Marie-Christine Blouin, black belt second degree, also World Champion in the Junior category, who lives in Saint-Francois, on the Orleans island.

64 countries

The Organizing Committee leaded by Trân Triêu Quân (itfwcquebec2007.com) also president of the International Taekwon-Do Federation spared no expense. A 1.1million dollar budget was unfold for the World Championship of this federations, which takes place every two years, the one in Quebec City being the 15th.

About 880 athletes and 229 teams coming from 64 are already registered, which is already to biggest delegation in the 42 years history of the federation.

“With only 3 weeks to go, we can say that all our three years old forecasts are accurate” says proudly the president.

2000 on the Plaines

Beyond the economic impact of their event, the organizers also see in it a good way to promote their sport. Among the things concocted, the popular training on the Plaines of Abraham, on June 1st from 4PM to 6PM is rather unusual. Near 2000 Taekwon-Do adepts will perform a series of movement in a simultaneous ballet.

“We wish that people from Quebec City leave their job early on Friday June 1st, grab a pair of sport shoes and come to the Plaines of Abraham” has invited Master Trân.

With the boss’s agreement, of course !

Journal Le Soleil - Press Realease - 23 February 2007

On the World Championship vibe

More than 1000 athletes representing 70 countries will gather in Quebec City from May 31 st to June 3 rd They will take part in the Taekwon-Do ITF World Championship, an event gathering the junior and senior competition, for the first time.

“It was in June 2003 that Quebec City was chosen for the organization of the XV th senior Championship at the International Taekwon-Do Federation Congress, in front of Sidney's (Australia) and Benidorm's (Spain) candidacy, said Trân Triêu Quân, the president of the Organizing Committee and president of the International Taekwon-Do Federation. After August 2005 Congress (in Dortmund , Germany ), where the decision was taken to merge the junior and senior championship, Quebec City became the hosting city for the two event.”

The World Championship will be presented at the PEPS of Laval University . The solo and team competition will take place on 7 stages. Scheduled activities : sparring, patterns, special techniques and power test. A special activity will also be presented on the Plaines d'Abraham on June 1 st in the afternoon.

With 12 athletes qualified during the pre-selection, Quebec region has monopolized the places in the Eastern Team, who will attend the Canadian Championship on March 16 th , in Regina . On this occasion, the two best eastern athletes in every event in each category will face the best western athletes in a round robin tournament. The winner will get the chance to represent Canada in the World Championship.

The region well represented

The Quebec region will send in Saskatchewan Maxime Bujold (World cup champion in pattern and sparring in 2004 and 2006), Nicolas Trân, Claudia Bédard (third in pattern and sparring at the 2006 World Cup), Marie-Chrystine Blouin (World Champion in 2004 and 2006), Myriam Desmarquis (third at the World Championship in 2005), Geneviève Desmarquis (second in pattern, third in sparring and in special techniques at the junior World Championship and third in pattern at the junior World Championship), Carole-Ann Blouin, Manon Turmel, Myriam Bédard, Jérôme Brind'Amour, Denis Poulin-Lacasse et Micheal Lapointe.

“There are some good chances to have many Quebecois in the Canadian Team, explain Nicola Trân, who will also be the junior girl team's coach. For these juniors, the eastern pre-selection was only a step towards the World Championship, where some may receive a medal. One thing is sure : every athletes in the region are excited to be able to compete at home”

The selection for the team competition will gather 10 athletes. They will take place in Trois-Rivières. After a series of nine fights the five best ranked athletes will be chosen for the national team.

NOTE: The Organizing Committee of the World Championship is looking for volunteers for the reception and transport of the participants, the communications, the computers and the installations set-up. Info: Jason Strayer at 418-871-8280 or by email at strayer.j@itfwcquebec2007.com