United States
News:
Monthly Teuk Gong Team Dinner:
A Smorgasbord!
September’s TGT dinner had a plethora of treats, both for the
palate and the funny bone! We were joined at the home of Marco and
Claudine Lopez by the winter black belt candidates who added their
confections to the veritable cornucopia that was our potluck feast.
Dishes from the famous Ginsburg brownies to three types of salad,
not to mention chips, salsa, Ochoa’s famous barbequed steaks
and salchichas, and many different types of liquid had all of the
Special Forces and their guests patting our stomachs in contentment.
Just as Master Lee began to give us some sage advice, two of the
black belt candidates earned some public discipline by trying to finish
their game of chess instead of paying attention. Needless to say,
the actions earned a swift and public rebuke, accompanied by a literary
form of discipline, performed individually and on a chair butt-writing
their full names that left many in our company rolling on the floor,
gasping and grasping their stomachs in laughter.
Following what became the evening’s entertainment, and Master
Lee’s encouraging words, the evening settled into a pleasant
atmosphere of camaraderie and fellowship, as we reflected on the myriad
of summer events, and the many events still left in 2007.
Hwarang!
Reynaldo Macias
Press Secretary/KCC Chief Editor
Madison Seminar:
Chief Master Taejoon Lee’s World Tour Stop at Madison
On September 29 and 30, 2007, Chief Master Taejoon Lee made his annual
stop in Madison, WI to conduct a weekend of intense training seminars.
The excitement started as soon as Chief Master Lee came off the airplane
as he was met by a roaring crowd that bowed in and welcomed him to
Madison. We are pretty certain that the folks at the airport have
never experienced a welcoming reception like that before.
Throughout the weekend, nearly 100 participants from around the Midwest
took advantage of this great opportunity to sharpen their skills and
witness first hand the grace, beauty, and power of Hwa Rang Do as
so expertly demonstrated by Chief Master Lee.
The Saturday session started with a special kid’s seminar.
The young warriors were thoroughly entertained and challenged during
their special time with the Master. Following the kid’s session,
adults got their turn. The sessions included Kick Defense, Stand-up
Joint Manipulation, Counter Defense against Joint Manipulation, and
Cane techniques.
On Saturday night, a dinner banquet was held for the Black Sashes,
Black Belts, TGT, and guests. Following dinner, the party moved to
Master Kijek’s house for more food and fun along with a little
friendly competition on the pool table.
The Sunday sessions started with an outdoor Tae Geuk (Tai Chi) session.
This was followed by Gotoogi Takedowns and Gotoogi Submissions. The
final session was Kumdo Fighting Tactics and matching.
As the old saying goes, “seeing is believing.” If you
have ever participated in one of Chief Master Lee’s seminars,
you know what this means. If you haven’t you have to make it
a priority for the coming year. No matter what your skill level is,
you will come away with a new appreciation for our Art and a renewed
spirit to train harder.
All of us in the Midwest would like to extend our sincere appreciation
and thanks to Chief Master Taejoon Lee for providing us with a phenomenal
weekend of training, and for his bright and shinning example of what
it means to be a Hwa Rang!
International
News
New
Children’s Class in Rome
In September 2007 a new Tae Soo Do course was started in Rome. Jokyonim
Maura Floris, a HRD 1st Dan Black Sash, accepted this challenge. The
course is oriented for children. Although it’s relatively a
small club with a modest beginning, the children are highly spirited
and we’re sure that Ins. Floris will do an awesome job in creating
a strong group of Junior Warriors.
Hwarang forever!
Ins. Marco Mattiucci
Chief of the Italian Branch of the WHRDA
