About Newlands Taekwon-Do

Newlands Taekwon-Do was established in August 2008 by Carl & Stephen Smullen, 3^rd Degree black belts, to bring ITF Taekwon-Do to the Clondalkin area.  The club is a member of the Irish Taekwon-Do Association (ITA) and the Irish Martial Arts Commission (IMAC) and is affiliated to the International Taekwon-Do Federation (ITF). Carl & Stephen Smullen began their Taekwon-Do careers in 1995 in Clondalkin reaching the grade of red belt before joining Rivervalley Taekwon-Do Club under Mr. Stephen Cooley, where they obtained their 1^st degree black belt in 2001, 2^nd degree black belt in 2005 & most recently 3^rd degree in 2008. They were joined by their younger sister Caroline in Rivervalley Taekwon-Do Club in 2000 who has since reached the grade of 2^nd Degree Black belt. Over the past number of years the Smullen’s have competed in numerous national tournaments all over Ireland & international tournaments throughout Europe. They have represented Ireland in competitions in countries such as Italy, Spain, Romania, Sweden, Holland, Germany & Finland with a high level of success. This success includes a silver medal in the 2006 European Championships, silver medals in the 2007 European Cup & silver & bronze medals in the 2006 World Cup.

            During their Taekwon-Do career so far the Smullen’s have had the opportunity to train under some of the best Taekwon-Do Instructors in Ireland & throughout the World including: Mr. Stephen Cooley, Mr. Mark Hutton, Master Jerzy Jedut, Master Wim Bos, Mr. Tomaz Barada, Master Willy Van der Mortel, Mr. Aidan Walsh, Mr. Brendan Ryan, Mr Henk Meijer & Mr. Chiel Rombout. As well as holding 3^rd Degree black belts in ITF Taekwon-Do, the Smullen's also hold 1^st Degree black belts in WTF style Taekwondo, a rare distinction amongst Taekwon-Do students.