This great Bi-Annual event was held in Surfers Paradise in early November and was attended by the TUNZ Veteran's Team, consisting of Dave Aldridge, Paul Bingham, Mark Tester, Mike Hannah and Wendy O'Neill. This year the games attracted the largest number of entrants yet in the Taekwondo competition.

The highly successful TUNZ Veteran's Team that competed at the 2004 Pan Pacific Masters Games. Left to right, Dave Aldridge, Wendy O'Neill, Mike Hannah, and Paul Bingham. (absent form the photo is Mark Tester who also competed).

The competition was held in the Sports Stadium at Runaway Bay in Surfers Paradise. Regretfully, it wasn't air-conditioned and the temperature reached 29 degrees on the day of the fighting competition.

Dave and Wendy started the medal count for the New Zealanders on the Friday, with both winning a Silver medal each in the forms competition. Returning on Saturday, we arrived with our dedicated support team of Dave's partner Robin, and her intrepid mum, plus Paul's wife Karen and two children. Trust me that was more than enough to give us the support and encouragement needed.

Dave Aldridge set the scene in the Men's 40 + Black Belt Featherweight division obtaining a Gold medal by terminating his first opponent with a powerful mid section round kick which resulted in his opponent, throwing in the towel before the end of the first round. Just to keep things going his second opponent fared no better, however he did survive at least 20 seconds longer than the first one!

Mark Tester then took up the call in the Middleweight 40- 50 years division with a huge performance and successfully wining three consecutive bouts to take Gold in an efficient and decisive manner.

Paul Bingham, in the under 40 years Black Belt Heavyweight division, then stepped into the ring to soundly beat his first opponent, 7 to nil in an excellent demonstration of fighting. Paul battled his way to a Silver medal on his second bout leaving a lasting impression on his opponents.

Next up was Men's 40+ Heavy weight Mike Hannah whose first scheduled opponent suddenly came down with an 'injury' after viewing Mike warming up on the focus pads and promptly withdrew from the competition. Another competitor volunteered to take his place and Mike ended the fight quickly with a first round victory to take out the Gold.

Finally, the only female team member being myself got to take to the ring in the Woman's 40+ Welter to Middle Weight division, narrowly missing out on the Gold to a competitor 10 years my junior and obtaining Silver. Next with one fight between bouts to recover I was back on again, wondering why I hadn't taken up needlework to fight in the Woman's 50+ light to middleweight division and securing Silver in that division also.

In all our team secured three Gold, and five Silver medals between the five of us. It was a great and positive experience with the other competitors being friendly and supportive regardless of your nationality. We would highly recommend to any other 'vintage' members of Taekwondo to participate in this event, regardless of age or belt level. This is certainly a tournament with something for everyone!