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Mr John Riordan 5th Dan, runs a very successful group of Taekwon-do Schools in the Kerry/Limerick area. He began his training in 1986 and has enjoyed much success as both a competitor and an Instructor. Mr Riordan is a founding member of the Irish United Taekwon-do Federation, is on the executive commitee, and holds the positions of Vice-Chairperson and National Youth Team Coach.
Brief summary of achievements and career history:
1986 - 1990: Took part in various local and national tournaments. Most notable victories include; A.I.T.A Junior Open sparring and patterns - U.C.C Open sparring and patterns (twice) - Graded to 1st degree black belt under Mr Norman Creedon - spent a year teaching beginners classes at Mr Dalton's South-West Taekwon-do Club (Tralee) in preparation for opening Listowel Taekwon-do Club - Fought on T.F.I Senior team.
1991 - 1995: Opened Listowel Taekwon-do Club - Attented five day International Instructor seminar taught by General Choi Hong Hi, 9th Dan - Opened Ballyduff Taekwon-do Club - Promoted to 2nd Degree black belt under Mr Norman Creedon - Hosted 1st Annual Kerry Open (now Munster Open) in Listowel - Opened Cahirciveen Taekwon-do Club - First group of students graded to black belt (10 in total) - Founding member of Irish United Taekwon-do Federation - Undertook position of Vice-Chairperson and National Youth Team Coach - Began five year reign as National Senior Team Captain - Attended seminar under Master Kwang Sung Hwang - Became full time Taekwon-do Instructor - Won National Championships sparring and patterns - 'Best of the Best' sparring and patterns - National Championships (team event) - Promoted to 3rd degree black belt under Mr Frank Murphy.
1996 - 2000: Attended seminar under Master Park Jung Tae - Won National Championships sparring and patterns (twice) - G.S.T Open sparring and patterns (twice) - I.U.T.F defeated G.T.I England in team challenge - Fought at the 'Clash of the Titans' - Formulated I.U.T.F Referee/Umpire course - 'Best of the Best' sparring and patterns (twice) - I.U.T.F defeated Wales in team challenge - Opened Newcastle West Taekwon-do Club - Sustained anterior cruciate knee ligament injury (retired from sparring competition) - National Championships Patterns - Focused all energies on development of clubs and National Junior Team - Opened Abbeyfeale Taekwon-do Club - Promoted to 4th degree black belt under Mr David Oliver - Students Padraig o' Connor (Listowel) and James Lyne (Cahirciveen) won Gold at Taekwon-do International World Championships - Also both won Gold at A.I.M.A.A World Open - Won Gold at Same event (team patterns).
2001 - 2003: Made sparring comeback winning 'Best of the Best' - Bronze Medalist at the W.K.A World Championships in Vienna, Austria -75kg Light Contact - Received award from I.U.T.F Chairperson Mr Don Dalton, in recognition of services towards the development of the I.U.T.F - Attended seminar under Master Choi Jung Hwa and Grandmaster Kong Young Il - Attended Seminar under Master Robert Wheatley 7th Dan - Currently preparing for forthcoming 5th Dan Grading
2004 - 2006: Promoted to 5th Degree Black Belt by Master Trevor Nicholl's 8th Dan at a Grading held in Nicholl's Taekwon-do Institute, London. Mr Riordan's most senior student Mr Ruairi Buckley is promoted to 4th degree black belt by Master Trevor Nicholl's. Attended 3 International Instructor Courses under ITF president GrandMaster Choi Jung Hwa 9th Dan in Belgium, USA and Ireland. Completed 2 Class 'A' International Referee/Umpire Courses Under Head of ITF tournament committee, Master Nestor Gallaraga, 8th Dan in England and Ireland. Won 1 Gold and 3 Bronze medals at the ITF European Championships in Germany.
