WARRIOR Open 2026
- Mr Davis VI
- 1 day ago
- 4 min read
Banstead TKD had some brave WARRIORS step up to plate and take part in the Warrior Open 2026.
The Warrior Open is a tournament in Harrow, London, run over two days: Day 1 is for Blackbelts, and Day 2 is for colour belts, there are Sparring and Patterns divisions.
Banstead TKD sent 11 people to take part: 3 1st Degrees and 8 colour belts. 6 girls, 5 boys. 7 Under 18s, 4 over 18s. 11 amazing, strong, resilient people.
Day 1 - Blackbelts Patterns
Edie took part in adult female patterns; Hollie took part in Junior female patterns and sparring; Anna took part in Pre-Junior female sparring.
Edie and Hollie worked hard towards improving their patterns in the lead up to this competition. Hollie is a very new 1st Degree and learnt all 3 patterns in record time, Edie has been a 1st Degree for a while and generally has a very good patterns style and worked hard to improve her technical performances.
The Warrior Open pulls in very highly skilled competitors and both Edie and Hollie had tough pools, but it meant they were measured against some of the very best. Hollie performed well and won several bouts of patterns, but lost a couple too which meant the finals went ahead without her. Edie has some great performances too, winning 4 of her 5 bouts, but lost one which means the finals for her division went ahead without her too.
Both showed great improvements in general and know what to practice in the lead up to the Holland Cup in May.
Blackbelts Sparring
Hollie's sparring category was full of national team members from other countries, and Hollie did very well keeping them at bay for as long as she did. She showed true WARRIOR spirit battling with nose bleeds, blurred vision AND another visit to the on site medics. Hollie won't yet realise, but her sparring in these rounds was the best she has ever done. I am super proud of her progress.
Anna's sparring turned out to be eventFUL. She took part in two weight divisions, her current division of -60kg and because there was only 1 entrant in +60kg the -60kg competitors were invited to take part, Anna and one other stepped up.
I was pleased to be able to coach Anna on the day, and sparred well in her own division and placed SILVER. Then an hour or so later Anna took part in the +60kg and the final was a repeat of the -60kg final in terms of competitors...
... with 40 seconds to go there was a pause and Anna was down by all 4 judges; we had a quick chat and came up with a strategy; 20 seconds to go score was 2 : 2; another two second team talk and by GUMAN Anna had swung the vote to 4 : 0 in her favour. Gold in +60kg sparring. Well done, good sparring and great listening.
DAY 2 - Colour Belts
The colour belt day saw 8 Banstead TKD competitors from YELLOW belt to Black Tags, and each and every one showed true warrior spirit taking part in the tournament.
It really is the "Taking Part That Counts", it's the experience you're seeking, not the podium. It's the development that comes from preparation, taking part and post analysis that is the real reward.
Edie, Hollie and Anna were the required and registered umpires for us for the whole day. Without them we would not have been allowed to compete.
JUNIORS
Lake, Bhavnish, Dhanesh were all super brave taking in the experience. I am very proud of them all represent our club so well. There were some long waits between events, and they all showed good patience.
Our teenagers were super brave, the contact sparring gets harder and the skill level increases. Amber and Billy did great in their respective divisions.
Billy showed real heart in his sparring bouts but ultimately took several unintended blows to his ribs and his inner thigh which meant the medics took him off the pitch and he wasn't able to continue.
Amber did well in both events and brought home Bronze in Sparring and Patterns.
ADULTS
Competing as an adult is hard going, not just because TaeKwon-Do events are hard but because Life and responsibilities have to take priority, so we need to congratulate adults for finding the time to train extra hard and for taking part. WELL DONE.
Natlija suprised herself with a SILVER in Sparring; Dil was surprised by a really unfortunate heavy punch to the nose which was deemed 'fair' by the judges but meant the medics told Dil he was unable to continue; Darcey surprised herself with SILVER in Patterns and Sparring, doing great in sparring and listening to coaches advice well.
2026 Competition Chart
Remembering that each competition goes towards our club chart for an annual award in December. The Warrior Open gave each competitor these points:
GALLERY of Pics
CONGRATULATIONS
Huge congratulations to all competitors. THANK YOU to all parents who took their day to drive their children to the tournament. THANK YOU to the organisers for creating a well run and exciting tournament.
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James Davis 6th Degree
International Instructor & Examiner
Banstead TaeKwon-Do
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