National Instructor
Name: Miss Anna Ross
Grade: II Degree
How did you start training in Taekwon-Do?
I began training in 1999 at Loughborough University, having graduated that year from my degree. My instructor was Mr Andrew Holmes, now IV Degree. I shared a house with Mr Emm, now III Degree, who was assistant instructor at the club, who suggested I try it. I had been going to a gym for the past few months and wanted something more interesting. The thought of me doing a martial art was ridiculous, but by the end of the first lesson, I was completely hooked.
Who else has been your instructor?
When I moved to Cambridge in 2001, Mr Tony Train, IV Degree in the UKTA generously allowed me to train with him but continue to grade under the GTUK. Now, I consider Mr Holmes and Mr Crisp to be my instructors.
What’s been your story since then?
I gained my black belt in November 2002. I was a I degree for over three years, mainly due to a back injury which took about a year to recover from completely. I gained my II degree in March 2006.
How long have you been running Cambridge GTUK?
Mr Crisp and I opened Cambridge GTUK in March 2004, so it is three years old this year. Its been a real journey, but has opened up a completely different side of Taekwon-Do for me.
What other achievements have you had in Taekwon-Do?
I have international experience as a coloured belt. I travelled
to the GTF World Championships in Italy in 2000 as a 7th Kup, and
won gold in both the patterns and sparring competitions. Nationally,
I have several medals, my best performance being gold in both patterns
and sparring at the Individual Nationals as a 4th Kup.
In reality though, my II degree is probably my biggest achievement,
because when I took my I degree I was purely a student and didn’t
have my own club to worry about. It would have been easy to give up
when my back went, so I am proud I worked my way back up to fitness
and have moved on.
What do you feel Taekwon-Do has done for you personally?
It has completely changed my life. I know that sounds dramatic, but its no exaggeration. It has given me something really positive and different to focus on, constantly pushing my limits. It helps me develop mental strength and discipline, and it has given me the chance to achieve things I am really proud of. I spent about six months pinching myself after I gained my black belt, and my first gold medal was probably the biggest high I’ve ever experienced.
What do you hope to do in the future in Taekwon-Do?
Personally, I very much hope to achieve III degree. There are not
many women at that grade in the GTUK, so it would be pretty significant.
I would also like to continue competing at the highest level for as
long as possible.
The other side of things is the club of course. We both hope to continue
to provide good quality instruction in a positive, disciplined environment,
to allow others to gain from Taekwon-Do in the same way we have over
the years.
In the long-run, it would be fantastic to one day visit our students
in their own clubs and support their development through our experience.