IT WAS only his second taekwondo competition and 17-year-old
Vincent Tan was fighting an opponent two belt levels above him.
Barely a minute into the sparring match last Sunday, his
slighter-built opponent, who had a brown belt, gave Tan a kick in
the neck which ruptured a main blood vessel to his brain.
Tan, who held a green belt, was seen fumbling with his head
guard for a few seconds before tumbling onto the ground.
First aid was immediately given to him, but he never gained
consciousness and died on Thursday afternoon in hospital.
The 17-year-old polytechnic student's death has now prompted the
People's Association (PA) to suspend all taekwondo competitions
while it reviews the procedures usually undertaken in such
events.
'We are reviewing our processes to see if any improvements need
to be made. In the meantime, we have suspended all taekwondo
competitions pending the review,' said a PA spokesman.
The police are also investigating.
PA said the competition, held at the Kampong Kembangan Community
Club, was organised by the Greenville Residents' Committee and
Singapore Taekwondo Gymnasium (STG).
It had attracted over 180 participants and was scheduled to run
from 9am to 9pm, but was later cancelled.
PA said the STG oversaw the technical aspects and publicity of
the event, while Greenville booked the venue.
Read the full report in Saturday's edition of The Straits
Times
--ST
