Taekwondo means the art of hand and foot fighting

The Isle of Man Taekwondo Association says it hopes to train a Manx team to compete at the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

The IOMTA has recently opened its new Dojang at the Pinewood Complex in Pulrose after 12 years at the NSC.

Director Richard Halsall said: "As an Olympic sport it is growing in popularity all the time - we welcome anyone who wants to give it a go."

The Isle of Man will also send a team to the European and World Championships in 2011.

The Isle of Man was admitted as the first associate member of the World Taekwondo Federation in 2006.

Halsall travelled to Korea the year before to lodge the application with letters of support from the chief minister and IOM Sport.

The application was voted in by the general assembly at the world championships in Vietnam in 2006.

The Island can now compete in its own name in all WTF internationals, up to and including the World Championships.

The Isle of Man entered the World Forms Championships in 2008 and 2009 and are now aiming for the Europeans in May 2011 and the Worlds in Russia later in 2011.

Taekwondo was admitted as a commonwealth sport this year and is hoping to be chosen by the host nation of the 2018 Games.

The new dojang with its full size ring will give the Island an opportunity to build a strong Manx team to compete on the international stage.

The IOMTA will be running classes from Monday to Thursday and Saturday mornings.

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