Report by Juan Martinez:
From January 9 to 12, 2025, I Juan Martinez had the honor of attending the ITF Elite Stage in La Nucía, Spain, as the sole representative from Belgium among over 350 practitioners from Europe, South America, and Asia. This prestigious event brought together top-tier Taekwon-Do practitioners, offering elite-level training and fostering global connections.
Kickoff Event
The stage officially began on January 9 with a special physical training session led by Master Tomaz Barada in the late afternoon. This high-energy session set the tone for the event, motivating participants and preparing them for the workshops ahead.
Workshops and Instructors
The program featured specialized sessions led by renowned instructors, including:
- Grand Master Orello Ellis (UK): Advanced techniques and strategies.
- Grand Master Per Andresen (Norway): Technical precision and philosophy.
- Master Tomaz Barada: Engaging and dynamic sparring sessions.
- Timothy Bos (Son of Grand Master Bos): Sparring techniques and strategies.
- Yassine Talhaoui (Spain): High-energy sparring drills for speed and reaction.
- Master Stephen Ryan (Ireland) & Sabum Silvia Farigu: instructors in the Patterns Workshop, offering expert guidance and in-depth insights, next to the Grand masters also leading some of the Patterns workshops.
Sabum Silvia Farigu’s Expertise
Sabum Silvia Farigu is renowned for her expertise in the patterns category, backed by her impressive European and World titles. She shared her extensive knowledge and experience with participants, bringing invaluable insights to the workshop. Her passion for teaching and dedication to the discipline were clear, and her ability to break down complex techniques made the learning experience highly enriching for all attendees.
Unique Approach to Learning
A standout feature of the ITF Elite Stage is its flexible format, which allows participants to tailor their experience by choosing workshops that align with their personal interests and development goals. This approach ensures maximum engagement and learning without imposing a fixed schedule on attendees.
Personal Participation
As a dedicated practitioner, I fully immersed myself in the following workshops:
- Friday: A full day devoted to the Patterns Workshop, where I refined techniques and deepened my understanding of patterns under the expert guidance of the instructors.
- Saturday Morning: Participated in the Inclusion Workshop, highlighting ways to make Taekwon-Do accessible and welcoming to all.
- Saturday Morning: Attended the TKD Radix Workshop for Self-Defense, which provided practical techniques and a unique perspective on applying Taekwon-Do in real-life situations.
Highlights
- Workshops covered areas such as sparring, patterns, self-defense, and technical training, ensuring a comprehensive development experience for all participants.
- The Gala TOP event added excitement with monetary awards, trophies, and belts for pattern and sparring competitions.
- The flexibility of the schedule allowed each participant to create a customized learning experience based on their individual needs and aspirations.
Reflection
Representing Belgium at this prestigious event was a source of great pride. The knowledge and skills I gained during the workshops, combined with the opportunity to train with global peers and legends in the art, reinforced my commitment to Taekwon-Do and its values of inclusivity and perseverance. The event’s flexibility in offering tailored learning experiences, alongside the energy of the kickoff session led by Master Barada and the expertise of instructors like Master Stephen Ryan, Sabum Silvia Farigu, and Timothy Bos (and of course all the others as well) made it a truly exceptional opportunity for growth and self-improvement.
Next to the workshops, it was quite good to connect with other participants during the breakfasts and dinners at evenings where most people were quite open to conversations, reinforcing the camaraderie of this event.