World Championships: Birmingham (NIA)

The 8th Open World Taekwondo Championships has arrived in Birmingham from Taekwondo International ("http://www.taekwondo-international.org/index.html" neither WTF or ITF) on 30th June - 1st July.

This is Europe's largest Taekwondo Championship with 2,000 fighters from 40 countries. The categories are for all kups (10th kup - 1st dan/ white - black belt) and for men, women and children, which consist of many world champions including:

• Ben Parr (Hollyoaks, showing a different side to his performing) is three times Junior World Champion
• Tasmin Clarke is a English, British and European Champion
• Andrew Deer is a TAGB World Champion.

The event is taking place in the NIA ("http://www.necgroup.co.uk/visitor/whatson/DisplayWhatsOn.asp?i=5029&m=6&p=1") in the City Centre. This has 25 fighting areas and can seat 15,000 people. Tickets can be bought via the NIA link.

N.B: Eventhough this is not a WTF event it is still an open, where all competitors can compete.