Peak Performance represents Scotland at the Euros!

We're off to represent Scotland at the International Taekwon-do Federation Euros!
Mel, Chris and Carlton are off to represent Peak Performance and Scotland at the 2019 European ITF Championships in Rimini, Italy from April 2nd-8th, backed up by long-time coach and mentor Steven. They'll be competing in sparring, patterns and special techniques across the week, both as individuals and as part of the Scotland team.

For Carlton and Chris, this is their first time representing Scotland so is a fantastic step along their journey in Taekwon-do, whilst Mel and Steven have competed for Scotland previously. It is the first time that Peak Performance as a club has had so many representatives  at this level, and we're very proud to see our students and coach representing us on the European Stage!

All funds raised will be used to support our team's travel and hotel for the duration of the championships, as well as their participation costs in their individual events. As a club we are also running a number of fundraising events (such as fun days and 'Kickathons') in addition to this and are looking to raise as much as possible to support our team mates! We are hoping to raise £6000 in total across all our efforts by the end of February 2019.

------------------

Carlton Brick

Carlton started Taekwon-do in 2013, after taking his son to Mr Mclaren's club. He gained his 1st Dan black belt in 2016 and hopes to sit his 2nd Dan test following the completion of the 2019 European Championships in April.

Carlton has competed and won medals at national level as a coloured belt. However this will be his first black belt competition and the first time representing Scotland. Carlton will be competing in the men's Veteran Gold category (50-59yrs), 1st Dan patterns and sparring.

------------------

Chris Doolan

Chris started training in Taekwon-do in October 2004 and has continued ever since, all under instructor Steven Mclaren.
Obtained his 1st Dan black belt in May 2010 , progressed to 2nd Dan black belt in November 2013 and is currently working towards his 3rd Dan black belt.

Chris has competed as a coloured belt and black belt in Tae Kwon Do and has also competed in Kickboxing and full contact K1 rules kickboxing. This is his first time representing Scotland and he hopes to take advantage of the opportunity to test and develop his martial arts. He will be competing in sparring.

------------------

Melanie Neil

Mel started TKD in July 2013 aged 39, achieving her 1st degree black belt in 2016. Mel has competed in various TKD tournaments in the Glasgow area as both a colour belt, and a black belt, winning gold and silver medals in patterns, sparring and special technique. Mel previously competed at the Euros in Liverpool in 2017, bringing home 1 gold Team Power Breaking and 4 silver medals for patterns and sparring. On this occasion Mel will again be competing in sparring and patterns.

------------------

Steven Mclaren

Steven began his journey in martial arts aged 9, needing somewhere to focus his boundless energy. He first began Taekwon-do at 19 and since then he has worked his way up to 5th Dan, currently preparing for a grading of his own in the near future. He has competed for Scotland at 2 euros and 2 World Championships and this will be his 2nd time coaching the squad at the euros, having been involved at at national level since 2016. 

Steven said: "It gives me incredible pride to see so many of my students I've taught from white belt now making the step up to compete at a European level. Taekwon-do requires discipline and dedication - Mel, Carlton and Chris epitomise those qualities and it's just brilliant for me to see those efforts being recognised by others. It's an unbelievable opportunity and I'm really excited to share this experience with them!"