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RAPTC MARTIAL ARTS Sgt (SI) J Siracusano RAPTC
I
t has been my honor and pleasure to take over as the RAPTC Martial Arts Secretary in 2013 from WO2 (QMSI) Gareth Maslin RAPTC. This is an exciting time for Martial arts within the British Army. We have seen the Karate and Taekwondo excel to new heights and the Army is now leading the way in the British Armed Forces with Brazilian Jiu-jitsu (BJJ). TAEKWONDO 2013 was an incredible year as the Army Colour belt team Captain. The spring Army Open took place at the home of Army Martial Arts, The Combat Centre, Canada house Aldershot. I secured 2 gold’s, in patterns and sparring. A fantastic achievement for me and a contribution to the RAPTC medals I was proud of.
Taekwondo Association of Great Britain (TAGB) British championships in Cardiff where I secured bronze in the Red belt heavyweight category competing in both events. My big sporting disappointment in 2013 was not being able to contest my Inter-services silver from 2012 due to being on paternity leave. On becoming a parent you gain real focus and hope to inspire your children into sports. My daughter will be cheering me on from the side of the mats when the Royal Navy hosts the Inter-services at HMS Nelson, in June 2014.
Later in the year at the Autumn Army Open I won gold in patterns and silver in sparring. This event was further rewarding for me as I was awarded Combined Services colours for 2011 and 2012. I didn’t know of this presentation before hand and it took me totally by surprise. This was a fantastic point in my martial arts achievements, one that leaves you feeling humbled and privileged.
WO2 (QMSI) Wayne Sibthorpe RAPTC has had a fantastic year in the Army Taekwondo Black belt team. In April he competed in the Army Open winning gold in sparring and bronze in Patterns. He also went on to represent the Army at the Welsh Championships in May, and the World Championships in July. No easy feat with the competition at that level. He is an excellent example to us all competing on the world stage. At the November GTI Open in Cheltenham, WO2 Sibthorpe secured gold in the executive heavyweight black belt sparring and silver in the heavyweight black-belt sparring category.
In November the Army Team competed in the Global Taekwondo International (GTI) Open in Cheltenham and at the
The Inter-Services took place in July 13. The Army was the host at the Combat centre, Aldershot. He was part of the 3
Sgt Siracusano Army Gold
Sgt Siracusano Army Taekwondo
WO2 Sigthorpe Army Gold
WO2 Sigthorpe Army Taekwondo