Seminars

Report by Nicolas Taylor (Samjok-O)

On Saturday 31 March 2018, a Masterclass with ‘The Dragon’ Stephen Tapilatu was held in London, organized by Da Silva Taekwon-Do Association. Two training session were organized :

• A 1h30 session for colour belts
• A 3h00 session for black belts

Although I was registered as coloured belt, I was given the opportunity to also train with the black belts, which made the day quite intense.

After a short warming-up, we started to do some mobility exercises, adding some kicks and punches afterwards. Then started to add exercices to practise counter-attack. Finally, we ended up by some sparring. As the number of participants was limited (around 10 per session), Sabum Stephen Tapilatu could watch out every single one of us and make comments to help us to improve. During all the sessions, we also had the opportunity to ask as many questions as we wanted.

It was a very interesting seminar (my first one with Sabum Tapilatu), where each exercise was built up on the previous one and I’m glad I had the opportunity to participate to it.

February 10th 2018  – Report by Erika Knihti-Van Driessche

Around 60 enthousiastic TaeKwon-Do practioners gathered in Vaajakoski sports hall for the Power breaking seminar, organized for the second time now by the Jyväskylä Taekwon-do club. Teachers on this seminar were Sabum Jouni Aartola 5th Dan (Arctic Taekwon-Do) and Kalle Kivioja 2nd Dan (Taekwon-Do Tampere), who was European Champion 2016 and World vice-champion 2017.

All competition techniques (ap-joomuk jirugi, sonkal taerigi, dollyo chagi, yopcha jirugi and bandae dollyo chagi) were explained and practised, as well as some more special breaking techniques. The course included 3 wooden boards each, to practise the more special breaking techniques at the end of the seminar. People used techniques like bituro chagi, sangbang chagi, sang sonkal supyong yop taerigi and yop joomuk taerigi, just to mention a few!

The seminar was very well organized, and the power machines were all very sturdy and easy to adjust. They are planning to organize a 2-day seminar next year, hopefully I will be able to participate then also!

On Saturday February 3rd Patrick Crevecoeur and the club Bushido are organizing a tul training open to all red and black belts ITF-Belgium in Jambes (Ecole Sainte Marie). The classes will be conducted by Master Frank Vanberghen (VIII°degree), Master Annick Van Driessche (VII°degree) and Sabum Virginia Dionisi (VI°degree). The training starts at 16.30h.

Master Annick and Master Frank were asked by GrandMaster Paul Weiler (ITF Senior Vice President and responsable for the development of ITF in Asia and Africa) to accompany him during his trip to Iran for the 2nd ITF Technical Promotional Seminar in Tehran, January 4th and 5th. During his first visit there he noticed that, during the classes, some female practitioners were present to watch, but they could not participate as females can only be teached by a female instructor. So GM Weiler asked Master Frank to help him, together with Mr. Omid Hassanipour (6th degree from Norway, with Persian roots), to conduct the classes for the male participants, while Master Annick would be the first foreign female instructor to be invited to teach ITF Taekwon-Do in an islamic country.

The seminar consisted of theory (theory of power, secret training of Taekwon-Do etc.), fundamental movements, tul, stepsparring, hosinsul, the correct way of performing kicks etc.

The female participants missed a good basic knowledge, but they were very eager to learn, they were very motivated and asked a lot of questions. They really want to learn about ITF Taekwon-Do and they worked hard during the 2-day seminar. They can be very proud of their efforts.

In general the people in Iran are very warm, with a great hospitality and curious to meet foreigners, ask them questions. Many thanks to the Iran Taekwon-Do Union and the President, Mr. Hamid Mokthashami for the warm welcome.