Yesterday I had the opportunity to train with Master Rhee, the UKTA’s newest Master, and I am exicited about the progress my Taekwon-do felt as a result. I will be honest and echo one of my fellow black belts and say; ‘I don’t even know how to punch properly!’ It’s weird as a 1st Dan I would not have admitted something like that, but as a 4th Dan who wants to learn and continually improve I am happy to say I learnt how to punch better yesterday - now I have to just keep doing it the way I learnt it yesterday, no mean feat given I have been punching in Taekwon-do for 16 years! However I know that the minute I think I have cracked it and don’t look to improve my fundamental moves, like punching, I know I may as well give up Taekwon-do. To repeat Master Rhee; without the initial grounding I have in punching I would not have learnt how to improve it in the way I did yesterday, so those 16 years of punching have built a foundation that has led to me going ‘ah I see how that would given me more equilibrium in my punching, therefore giving me an all round better punch’. It also reminded me why having an Instructor is so important and why you should look after those that are willing to teach you. I am pleased to say that Master Rhee must have felt looked after because he is coming back on the 12th June to teach the 1st Kup and above in the morning and has agreed to teach all grades in the afternoon. I am no fortune teller but I can see some more ‘ah I see’ moments!
Well done to all those that took part in the demonstration at West Park Conference Centre, during their family day. I am especially proud of the 9th Kup (yellow tag) and 8th Kup (yello belt) members who took part and conquered their nerves. I think Mr Dolan also deserves a special mention for his ability to be our ‘nasty man stand in’ and be on the receiving end of some very nice techniques in the self defence sequences. Even after having the wind knocked out of him several times he was able to perform a flying high kick at approximately 8ft with no trouble - not bad for a man who says he is ‘21 plus lots of VAT!’ Well done everyone.
What a bonus the practitioners from Z&R Taekwon-do schools had on Saturday 1st May, First Grand Master Rhee and his son Master Rhee were no longer going to be in China and therefore decided to come to Dundee to conduct the scheduled seminar instead.
The students already know how lucky there are to get a minimum of a Master come to them to teach them at least twice a year, but this time they not only had a Master but the legendary Father of European & British Taekwon-do First Grand Master Rhee!
To put it into context a man who in equivalent terms is bigger in the Taekwon-do world than David Beckham is in the football world (No disrespect David!). I would have to use the old cliche and say China’s loss and our gain. It was also nice to welcome his son on his first visit to Dundee; Master Andrew Rhee, I know he made at least one little girl feel very special as he got on his knees to partner her during the seminar.
The day started with the early arrival of First Grand Master Rhee and Master Rhee, their early arrival gave Miss Tate and Mr Dolan a chance to catch up with them both and First Grand Master Rhee emphasised how important it is to encourage students to learn this self defence art. The 3 students grading were first up and Miss Tate encouraged them to breath and reminded them that First Grand Master Rhee was here to see them advance. The senior coloured belt grades looked on in envy knowing that if only they could have mastered their power test they too could be stood waiting for his approval to proceed to the next grade. Still they know it is better to wait and be ready, than try and rush through the grades. The 3 grading did show some nerves (unsurprisingly) but sailed through, allowing the day to move onto the seminar.
Prior to the seminar commencing a group photo was taken and a photographer from the local Evening Telegraph came - Miss Truong showed her skill as she stood in side kick position for all of the snaps taken (given there where many camera’s besides the photographers this was no mean feat - she earned herself around of applause). As First Grand Master Rhee, Master Rhee, Miss Tate and Mr Dolan went and changed Mr Wordingham started with a warm up.
Once changed First Grand Master Rhee entered the do-jang and appeared to grow in presence further, the local children looked on in awe and excitment. Master Rhee began the training with some fundamental movements and lots of jumping; first 90, then 180, then 270 and final 360 ensuring we performed the knife hand strike before we landed - other wise we were not allowed to come down! First Grand Master Rhee took over moving us onto partner work, which was followed by pattern work. The newly promoted members were shown their new patterns by Master Rhee (so we are expecting no mistakes in class!). The children were dismissed and the adults continued on, working up a sweat with explanations given for the application of each technique, that seemed obvious once you know!
The day ended with First Grand Master Rhee, Master Rhee and the local black belts going for a well earned chinese, where Stuart Wordingham had baked and decorated a cake to celebrate Taekwon-do’s 55th birthday. I have been reliably informed that the other members of the Rhee family throughly enjoyed the remaining cake portions. All in all it was a fantastic day and a real bonus for the Z&R Taekwon-do and visiting students to learn from this amazing man and his son.
Thank you to First Grand Master Rhee and Master Andrew Rhee.
As the next grading approaches, we feel it is important to reiterate obtaining the next grade on your Taekwon-do journey shouldn’t be rushed. You should be sure that you can complete all of your requirements as laid out in the syllabus and complete them well.
Every move in your Taekwon-do pattern should be executed with realism and to, at least, the minmum standard. The art of Taekwon-do is laid out in a series of building blocks with each block needing its predecessor to be strong and cemented in your training, if you advance without ensuring you are ready you begin to build a shaky art.
It is better to excel at each grade than rushing through them. This patience is contra to how fast things happen today but it is well worth employing together with perserverance of effort.
Hello All! I would like to say hi to you all and that I plan to update this page with thoughts from myself and Mr Dolan! Best wishes Miss Tate
