
REPORT FROM THE 3RD ITF ELITE STAGE & COMPETITION
From January 9th to 12th the third edition of the ITF Elite Stage & Competition was held in La Nucia – Alicante. Coordinated by Master Paco Ferrando and Grandmaster Wim Bos with the presenters GM Per Andresen, GM Ellis, M. Jose Luis Diego, M. Tomaz Barada, M. John Mcilvaney, M. Stephen Ryan, Sabumnim Roy Rolstad, Sabumnim Silvia Farigu, Sabumnim Timothy Bos and Yassine Talhaoui. It was attended by more than 340 athletes, instructors and teachers from 18 countries.

The concept of the event is to offer the opportunity for our ITF athletes, coaches, instructors and teachers to meet outside the pressure of elite championships, to train together, share ideas, learn from each other, enjoy social time together and build bonds and friendships through the shared passion for Taekwon-Do ITF.
The Stage has started with an opening ceremony in formation and greeting to the large number of participating Masters, then came the surprise with a choreographed dance to the song of the event.



Master Tomaz Barada kicked off the activities on Thursday with enthusiasm, motivating the attendees with a variety of dynamics, as well as implementing special exercises with all the participants. A great first day one for all who had the privilege to participate.
Day two, Friday with more sessions on the day. I start with Master Tomaz Barada, in a champion session in the Muixara, with Taekwondo and box dynamics to start with everything, a hard training, only for elites. In the martial arts room, we went into the inclusive world with Master John Mcilvaney with exercises in the perspective of people with special abilities, a great contribution in this edition. The pattern programme with, Sabum, Silvia Farigu, in the Camilo Cano Sport Hall, presenting her great experience in the first techniques of the day. At the same time another, Sparring session, with Master Stephen Ryan with positioning strategies and different combinations.






At the perfect moment the arrival of, Peter Kruckenhauser, from Top Ten, and the Greeting for all the participants and the organisers Grand Master Wim Bos and Master Paco Ferrando. We thank you for all the support of this great martial arts brand. Let’s go with more on this second day, and this time we observe Sabum Roy Rolstad with a self-defence session recreating fighting situations working with the partner. Grand Master Per Andresenb an excellent G. Master class of patterns slow techniques, positioning balance, and body control. A big welcome to Grand Master Ellis in another Pattern Master Class, where we observed among other things the kicking angle to apply according to the opponent.




We also developed traditional combat with the Sabum Silvia, encouraging everyone to be creative and imagine techniques for a better result. At the end of the day we had the Sabum Timothy Bos in a session of games, dynamics and Sparring, distance exercises among other combat skills. The Elite Stage & Competition 2025, is an example of a Martial event focused on Elite competitors and at the same time Masters and Instructors.





On the third day it was the turn of Yassine Talhaoui and other presenters to return to their training, with many sessions, trainings, games and dynamics in the two sports halls. On this third day we had the presence of the Mayor of La Nucia Bernabe Cano, RFET President Jesus Castellanos. The final preparations for the Pro Gala Taekwon-Do ITF were also underway.



We remember what happened at the first Gala Pro Event Taekwon-Do ITF, a gala that left some great moments. The organiser Grand Master Wim Bos was the officiated host of this Gala which started with a preliminary elimination phase in both patterns and sparring.

With this graph we can see the pairings of different competitors and participating countries, all of them with great participations and good international results. The qualifying heats started with patterns, Giovanni Vitiello of Italy versus Mats Lind of Norway. In the women’s competition with Jemma Swinburne of Scotland and Selma Li of Norway. The sparring matches start with, Stefano Cadelano from Italy, and Doiel Duran from Spain.



And the last qualifying round, a good sparring of, Dasha Korolovych, from Ukraine, and Aurora Berle, from Norway.

Organiser and officiated event Master Paco Ferrando, Grand Master Wim Bos, with Master Tomaz Barada, handing over a cheque for a free pass to Barada Camp 2025, free pass to Roma Gladiator Open 2025, and Open Málaga 2025. Congratulations to the winners, and enjoy!




The Gala also featured a moment of special recognition for the following; an recognition to all the umpires, who have done a good job at the Gala Pro. Leo Oros Duek President of the AETF, was awarded with the honorary mention. Jesús Castellanos President of the Royal Spanish Taekwondo Federation was awarded with the honorary mention. Awarding of another mention to, Peter Kruckenhauser, CEO Top Ten Martial Arts. Awarded mention to, Bernabé Cano, Alcalde of La Nusía, receives the city Councillor for Sports, Sergio Villalba. We presented an award to each of the 2025 Presenters. Thank you very much to all of them for joining us in this edition.







During the Gala we witnessed a dance performance of song the event Elite Stage Legacy
The evening continues with,, the patterns finals. Mats Lind, of Norway in a great performance, against Nicola Zanda, of Italy. Top female competitors in another pattern final, Selma Li of Norway, wins in the match against, Izy Brider, of the United Kingdom. Spanish final to start with sparring Yassine Talhaoui, has something more to take the victory over Doiel Duran. We come to the last men’s 63 kg sparring final Bahaa Talhaoui of Spain wins in a great match against Pier Luigi Tatti, from Italy. We look at the women’s 50 kilogram final Tyra Barada of Slovenia wins against Elena Mazzanti of Italy. We come to the last final of the Gala with the women’s sparring 60 kilograms A hard fighting match from Aurora Berle of Norway to take the win over Christine Franks of Ireland.







To close the Pro Gala the winners are presented with the Champion belt and a gift voucher, congratulations to all the athletes and countries they have represented. Big winners of the Pro Gala, Selma Li, Aurora Berle, Tyra Barada, Mats Lind, Yassine Talhaoui, and Bahaa Talhaoui, Congratulations to all.
Elite Stage & Competition 2025 has been amazing for everyone, we have come so much further in this edition thanks to our partners, AETF and ITF, Royal Spanish Taekwondo Federation, La Nucía City of Sport, Top Ten Martial Arts, Costa Blanca, Deputation Provincial Alicante, Taekwondo ITF Spain, TKD Tekkers, thank you very much to all of you. We close the 2025 edition, of Elite Stage & Competition. Thanks again to the participating countries.
Always remember to learn and enjoy, every moment.







More Stage Images


















































































































