United States
News:
West Coast:
The 99th Black Sash Graduation
A long journey…
One in one thousand students who begin training in Hwa Rang Do achieve
Hwa Rang status, and earn their First Dan Black Sash. And so it was
with some pride, some awe, some perspiration, and some inspiration
that the West Coast Hwa Rang Do Academy hosted the 99th Black Sash
Graduation Ceremony on Saturday, November 19, 2008.
Five Hwarang warriors were graduating, with two earning their fourth
dan (susoksabumnim), one earning his second dan (kyosanim) and two
earning their first dan (jokyonim).
The New West Coast Black
Sashes
Matthew Kim 1st Dan; Scott MacKnight 4th Dan; Andrea Perez-Bertolotto
1st Dan
Susuk Sabumnim Scott MacKnight has been training for twenty-four
years, and earned his Fourth Dan this year. He is also a member of
Team Kwan Chang, the instructors who help Chief Master Lee run the
West Coast Hwa Rang Do Academy. Having reached this peak, he is reflective
upon the process of training, and encourages all of us to “focus
on progress [you’re making], not on any particular destination.
Your rank, your abilities relative to someone else, how long you've
trained -- all are minor concerns as long as you're improving.”
He is also “honored and humbled” to have the opportunity
to test in front of DoJooNim and Susuk Kwanjangnim at this stage in
his training. “My hope is that by testing well I will honor
my teachers and let them know that the next generation is strong enough
to continue growing Hwa Rang Do for those that follow.” He certainly
sets quite an example for his whobae. Congratulations, Susuk Sabumnim!
Jokyonim Andrea Perez-Bertolotto has been training since she was
four years old. This year, in addition to earning her First Dan Black
Sash, she also garnered honors at the Hwa Rang Do World Championships,
earning the inaugural Won Hwa of the Year Award. A sophomore in high
school, she is also leading her family down the warrior’s path,
helping her father and two sisters with their techniques. She holds
earning her First Dan Black Sash as precious because it is the achievement
of a goal she set when she was eight years old. Her testing this year
taught her both balance and commitment, as she balanced training every
day and 10th grade homework. However, now she knows, “when I
start something, I will finish it!” Congratulations, Jokyonim!
At the after party: (from left to right) Chief Master Taejoon Lee,
Susuk Sabum Scott MacKnight, Jokyo Andrea Perez-Bertolotto, Jokyo
Matthew Kim, Kyosa Jesus Hernandez, Susuk Sabum Dylan Sirny, Dojoonim
Dr. Joo Bang Lee, Jokyo Olivia Vaatete, Jokyo Eric Rufatt.
Jokyonim Matthew Kim has been training in Hwarangdo for seven years,
since the beginning of 2001, when he earned his Taesoodo black belt.
His advice to aspiring Hwarang echoed Susuk Kwanjangnim, “be
consistent in your training, and review techniques from your earlier
belts & sashes even as you advance.” A college student,
Mr. Kim has been learning to train on his own, without the comfort
of being in the dojang to push him forward. Earning his First Dan
Black Sash feels “awesome”, and he is excited to “learn
more and train harder. [My] new rank is simply an indication of what
Chief Master Lee expects of me, and what I expect of myself.”
Jokyonim Kim earned the first-ever Rang Do of the Year Award at the
2008 Hwa Rang Do World Championships this summer. Congratulations,
Jokyonim!
More Peaks to Climb
The Black Sash Graduation Ceremony inspired many students, as DoJooNim
welcomed the newly-ranked Hwarang as “the face of Hwa Rang Do”
and encouraged them to “do good.” And as we celebrated
their accomplishment, we also listened to the words they spoke. “These
mountains were high, and difficult to climb, but we did it! And now
there are more mountains to climb!” Hwarang Forever!
An Umyangian Thanksgiving!
The Warrior’s Path is often
one of solitude and service, without recognition. In this light, Susuk
Kwanjangnim offers thanks for those who have helped shaped him on
his Hwarang path, and offers us the opportunity to reflect upon our
own journeys.
West Coast Hwa Rang
Do Academy Annual Christmas Party
West Coast Christmas - To The Mats!
December saw the level of intensity and joy rise
considerably as students, family and friends all crowded into the
West Coast Hwa Rang Do Academy for the fifteenth Winter Demonstration!
The walls shook as powerful primal kiaps rang forth from the multitude
of Hwa Rang Do and Tae Soo Do students pounded the mats with their
feet, hands, legs, arms, faces, bodies, hearts and minds.
Supreme Grandmaster Dr. Joo Bang Lee graced the assemblage, observing
and examining from the platform as Chief Master Taejoon Lee put first
his beginners, then his more advanced students through their paces.
The Little Tigers began with splintering punches and kicks, breaking
through boards in precise domino effect, revving the crowd up with
their high energy and enthusiasm. Next on the floor came the Tae Soo
Do Adult beginners and intermediate students, performing their open
hand forms distinctly, but in unison. They did a great job performing
with strength and power (and they didn’t forget anything, either!).
The Tae Soo Do Juniors displayed one of the aspects which makes the
West Coast and indeed Hwa Rang Do unique among modern martial arts.
These youngsters took to the floor with weapons designed to damage,
to incapacitate, and in some cases to destroy, with practiced ease
and confidence. Their training and discipline were displayed for the
attending audience magnificently. The Hwa Rang Do Juniors followed,
harbingers of the HRD adults, and proceeded to flip, punch and kick
each other both, taking turns both attacking and dispatching their
attackers.
The Hwa Rang Do adults then took the floor, their demonstrations
a dizzying blur of speed, agility, acrobatics, power and sound! It’s
a good thing Chief Master Lee and his first students here at the West
Coast reinforced the building when they opened! Susuk Sabumnim Scott
MacKnight followed with a demonstration of his 3rd Dan Staff form,
and Jokyonim Nicholas Day twisted one unfortunate Hwa Rang Do student
into a human pretzel with his Gotoogi demonstration!
Each year, Chief Master Taejoon Lee takes the time after demonstrations
to acknowledge those students who have worked hard on the mats, showing
exceptional dedication in their training, or off the mats, helping
to spread the art of Hwa Rang Do. This year was no exception, as he
granted student of the year awards and acknowledged various students
for their efforts. Though there were no TSD black belt candidates
this winter, the students did present Grandmaster Lee with a new snowboard,
as they know his penchant for taking training to whole new heights
every spring (like to the top of Mammoth Mountain!).
Students of the Year:
TSD Adult Male Peter Leichner
TSD Adult Feamle Nikki Makar
TSD Junior Nicole & Gabriela Perez-Bertolotto
TSD Little Tiger Ashley & Erica Santana
HRD Male Chung Choi
HRD Female Andrea Perez-Bertolotto
HRD Teen Larry Pershing
HRD Junior Marco Lopez Jr.
TGT Adult Antonio Goodwin
TGT Teen Giovanni Bayani
TGT Junior Francesca Sebastian Loo
Most Improved Gregory Zwart/Rocco Serra/Rehan Damani
Instructor Nicholas Day & Joey Klein
Other Special Recognition
Scott MacKnight
Fernando Ceballos
Raymond Fong
Isaiah Faulkner
Antonio Diaz
Reynaldo Macias
Taking a page from DoJooNim’s gatherings, Chief Master Lee
put up a karaoke machine on the platform during the potluck dinner
which saw everyone taste cuisine from every continent on the planet
Earth. Well, potluck dinner became Dinner with a Floor Show! Everyone
from Samonim (Dojoonim’s wife) to the youngest Little Tiger
took a turn on the microphone, wowing the crowd and singing into the
night!
Never one to allow a teachable moment to pass, Chief Master Lee said
the same to everyone as they eventually departed, “We work hard,
so we play hard, too! Everything in balance.”
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Editorial:
Teaching Honor: Beginning a Conversation
By Reynaldo Macias
There is a famous American fairy tale about the first
President of the United States and a cherry tree. When asked, a nine-year-old
George Washington allegedly stepped up and confessed to chopping it
down. There is also a true story about a five-year-old green belt
at the West Coast Hwa Rang Do Academy who, having dropped his weapon
while practicing alone on the floor, simply picked it up, walked over
to the wood, and did his thirty knuckle push-ups without another student
in sight. Both children, the real martial artist and the fictional
young president, were practicing self-control, discipline, and accountability.
They had been taught, and they were practicing, honor.
George Washington, as we know, became a leader of men: from an officer
in the British Army to the General and Commander of the Continental
Army; from the president of the Constitutional Convention to the unanimously
elected first President of the United States. The honor that he displayed,
the discipline that he practiced, the humility that has been recorded
by countless sources are character traits which propelled him to such
heights, which allowed him to serve with such prestige, which made
him a successful and productive human being, and ultimately a force
for good in the world. These are also the traits – accountability,
self-control, discipline, humility, honor - that we model, extol and
practice each and every time we step on the mat and train in Hwa Rang
Do. And while it is impressive that these traits are attributed to
President Washington at age nine, it is even more important to realize
that our young green belt was exhibiting them at age five.
Honor must be shaped, nurtured, and practiced constantly. It depends
on discipline, humility and action. It is how I carry myself throughout
my day, whether that is in my classroom or at the dojang. Before I
came to the Academy, I thought of myself as a pretty humble person.
I was proud, in fact, that I was humble. Imagine that! Pride in my
humility.
What I learned in my first class as a white belt was that I was mistaking
quietly showing off for being humble. As I traversed the wood floor
to the mats, trying in vain to keep up with the other students while
working on white belt basic #1, I realized that my opinion of myself
as a martial artist was not based in reality. It was based on my ego,
where I was a legend in my own mind. The challenge of getting my body
to do exactly what my mind instructed quickly forced a more honest
appraisal, and I found myself wanting. I wondered then, as I stood
in the locker room after that class, what else of my self-image was
based more in fiction than in fact?
We each have an image of who we want to be, of how we want others
to view us. But do we have the discipline to make that image of ourselves
reality?
Do we take the actions to make reality closer to that image? Out
in the “real world” it is easy to spin false tales, to
build oneself up without substantively making an effort or a difference.
But it’s not easy to earn your next rank if you haven’t
practiced your long form.
Training in Hwa Rang Do is a reality check, insuring that you discipline
yourself, that you are humble enough to address your weaknesses, that
you take actions to make yourself successful.
Having honor, though, also means that you don’t need Susuk Kwanjangnim
to be your reality check.
Being honorable means that you are self-governed, self-critical,
self-disciplined, and taking the steps necessary to make your image
and your reality more alike than different. Whether you have practiced
your spinning heel hooks a thousand times to make sure you are ready
for your next belt test, or spent Sunday afternoon correcting papers
(or doing homework) and lesson planning so you are ready for the school
week, honor and leadership are not limited to position. George Washington
practiced honor from his earliest days throughout his life, going
so far as to not eating dinner alone with his wife for over a year
after he retired from the Presidency, so as not to turn away a single
guest at his home in Virginia who came to wish him well and bid him
thanks for his service.
Each day we train at the West Coast, we are working to improve ourselves,
to be disciplined, to be humble, to be accountable, to practice self-control.
From little tiger to black sash, from three years old to seventy,
we train to be exceptional people: self-governed, self-critical, self-disciplined
- honorable. By living and acting honorably, we are improving society,
keeping these ideals alive, giving life to these values with our daily
actions, from the kitchen to the classroom to the boardroom . . .
even to the White House.
MUSA Challenge Minneapolis
2008
The second annual Musa Challenge was held in November
8th in Minneapolis. This is a tremendous tournament; showcasing every
skill set Tae Soo Do and Hwa Rang Do have to offer in one day of fearsome
competition.
The day opened up with the children’s divisions,
which included weapon forms, open-hand forms, point sparring, and
position grappling. Divisions were broken out by age, experience,
and (occasionally) size, to account for the various levels of training
and both physical and emotional maturity of the contestants to ensure
a good competitive show for all events. There were competitors present
from Minneapolis (the host dojang), but also River Falls, Appleton,
both Madison Academies, and even Chicago. Club participation was high
as well, with the University of Minnesota, UW Eau Claire, and Seagate
TSD Clubs all sending representatives. All in all, there must have
been over hundred competitors.
The weapons and open hand forms began the day, with
displays of impressive precision and skill from the HRD juniors, who
brought a very high level of skill and determination to their work.
Even Little Tigers and Tiny Tigers got to participate, as the rules
of the competition allowed these very young competitors (the youngest
was only 2 ½ years old!) to show their stuff by performing
basic movements with an instructor holding a focus target. Stepping
into the rings with all the parents and friends watching was very
intimidating to many of them, but with a bit of encouragement, they
demonstrated what they’ve been learning in class with solid
focus and strength. There were dozens and dozens of competitors, and
nearly every division was full – TSD Beginner, Intermediate,
and Advanced belts all had very difficult forms competitions with
competitors from multiple schools in nearly every one.
Competition was fierce, and at a level where the
judges repeatedly stressed how close each competition was when it
came time for the final awards. The difference between the top finishers
was often just a half-point! It spoke very well of all the competitors
that the quality of the performances was so high.
Following the forms competitions, the TSD and HRD
students got to take a bit of a break, as our instructors put on a
tremendous demonstration of skill doing their own forms. The Black
Sash forms seem at least as long as three or four advanced TSD or
HRD forms strung together, and combine all elements of martial skill.
Fast parts and slow parts, intricate detail and huge soaring movements
– each form is a complete dance and expression all in itself.
It was truly inspiring, and as one spectator and student was overheard
to say: “Now I know what I want to look like when I grow up.”
This was even more evident during the sparring and
grappling competitions, where especially for the juniors, very high
levels of skill were on display. High, controlled kicks, quick and
strong punches, loud kiaps, and excellent use of movement and combinations
ruled the day. In juniors position grappling, some of the competitors
showed true spirit grappling and struggling with others who might
be older or larger than they were. Everyone put up a good fight, and
showed excellent command of the ground and control over their opponents.
When the junior competitions started to wind down,
the tournament was only just beginning! Next up were the adult competitions,
with Tae Soo Do practitioners broken out into belt and gender divisions,
but the Hwa Rang Do weapons and open-hand forms were each one huge
division of twenty people! The forms competitions were awesome, and
with two rings running at once, it was hard to know which one to watch.
The highlights of the adult competitions were the HRD divisions, however.
Clearing the entire floor, the men and women of HRD each put on a
great show, with the increasingly complicated HRD weapon and open
hand forms being performed at a very high level. Every weapon and
nearly every sash were represented, and the winners not only had to
not make any mistakes, but also demonstrated the spirit and showmanship
that made the form their own. Competition was so tight that on several
occasions, run-off competitions were required – and the competitors
had to take a deep breath, maintain focus, and do it all again.
After forms were over, a very exciting afternoon
of sparring and grappling began. Jumping kicks to the head, take-downs,
and excellent precision and control were all on display in the sparring
competitions all afternoon. Large divisions of both men and women
in the TSD ranks got to compete for the medals, and the matches were
both exciting and dramatic. Again the HRD Men’s division was
run all together, with outstanding matches between competitors of
all ranks. Spectacular aerial kicks and a flying body-scissors takedown
were only some of the skills on display in that afternoon’s
sparring matches.
With the end of sparring came a (very) short break,
and it was time for grappling! One of the more exhausting competitions
that day, each match pitted the combatants against each other for
two minutes, with points scored for maintaining certain controlling
positions for three seconds, or performing certain escape or reversal
maneuvers. In the advanced divisions where submissions were allowed,
points were still tallied, but that didn’t matter if you got
caught napping and were tapped out! The winners of the grappling matches
proved their ability to not only control the match and score points,
but to shift from one controlling position to another smoothly. The
submission fighting was very intense, with most contents being decided
by points as two competitors refused to give up. Still, there were
some exciting and extremely technical submissions that terminated
matches, including a few triangle chokes, some wrist manipulations,
and at least one ankle lock that decided the Men’s HRD championship!
Then, as evening turned to night, the few remaining
competitors set aside their Go Too Gi uniforms to compete in MuGiDaeRyun
– Hwarang Weapon Fighting. The matches started out with “beginner”
rules Gumtoogi, which consists of those practitioners who have been
given their instructor’s permission to obtain kumdo armor, but
have not yet been granted the new, special “tari” leg
protection, designed and developed by our very own Chief Master Lee!
Gumtoogi is very precise, and it takes more than
just beating your opponent with a bamboo stick to get a point. One
must attack with full spirit, landing a clean, clear strike on a valid
target. The movement and the blow must be synchronized such that the
strike lands at the proper moment in either attack or retreat. Even
after a blow is struck, the attacker must also move to ensure that
he is safe from counterattack! If all of this should happen at once,
still two of the three judges must agree that a point can be awarded
– one can imagine why these matches are decided only after two
points..
After the “standard” beginner gumtoogi,
we were able to watch the Black Sashes demonstrate what happens to
gumtoogi when you add the leg strikes that are enabled by the tari
protection, and turn kumdo into Hwarang Gumtoogi. The fluidity of
the motions and the difficulty of protecting a much larger target
area were apparent to all of those watching (not to mention those
competing), and make a fine addition to the already huge repertoire
of the HRD curriculum.
Following the traditional gumtoogi competition, the
first-ever “open sword” division, which allowed each competitor
to choose between single long sword, two short swords, or one short,
one long sword. Unlike the traditional division, matches were decided
by acclimation rather than points, with each judge declaring a winner
to Chief Instructor Sirny, and then the victor being announced.
The open sword division saw all options being chosen, and was wild
and fun to watch. The difficulty of facing double-sword with a single
sword was plain, with the lesson learned that when facing short weapons,
you had best use your reach to good advantage. Another match showed
a tall, slender man get chased around the field of competition by
a petite (but very fierce) young lady.
Finally, the last matches of the night were open
stick division – and these didn’t begin until nearly 10pm!
All of the “beginner” division used jang bong; the Black
Sash division was divided between two mid sticks and staff. The Black
Sash competition was amazing to watch, with intense flurries of blows
being traded back and forth.
When all was done, the 2008 MUSA challenge lasted
for fourteen hours of solid competitions and saw well over a hundred
competitors take the field. An inspiring and exhausting day of martial
arts exhibitions, and the skill, endurance, persistence, and dedication
of every student was on full display. Next year’s competition
promises to be even more intense, as some of the advanced divisions
become even more populated. A great tournament for Minneapolis, and
an even better time to be involved in Tae Soo Do/Hwa Rang Do in the
Midwest.
Madison goes to the
Musa Challenge
On November 7, 13 students under the leadership of
Instructor Buss and Instructor Gurevich left Madison to compete in
the Musa Challenge. For months they had been practicing forms, sparring,
grappling, and weapons fighting, and now they would let no obstacle
stand in their path to victory. Doug Purvis demonstrated this spirit
of determination even before they reached the tournament, when he
drove their van straight over a curb as he navigated a dark gas station
parking lot en route to Minneapolis.
Five hours and one China Buffet later, the group
arrived at Instructor Sirny’s Minneapolis dojang. Before he
left them for the night, Instructor Sirny reflected on the perspective
students gain by living in the dojang, even for just one night, when
they are better able to live and breathe the “way” of
Hwa Rang Do in every sleeping and waking minute. The Madison students
took his message to heart. Many ran through their forms once more
that night, and the next morning they had a final group practice before
breakfast.
Instructor Dean and the entire Larsen family from
the West side dojang arrived the morning of the tournament, bringing
the number of Madison competitors up to 20.They earned medals in most
divisions and notable first place wins in every age group. The Musa
Challenge tested all areas of Hwa Rang Do and Tae Soo Do training,
including empty hand forms, weapon forms, stand up sparring, position
and submission grappling, and for the first time ever, Hwa Rang weapon
sparring with open sword and open stick divisions. Students demonstrated
internal aspects of their training as well, showing courage to compete
in the face of adversity, loyalty in representing their schools, and
brotherhood in staying to cheer on the weapon fighting, even as the
last divisions continued past 11:00 at night.
Participants in the Musa Challenge left with a deeper
appreciation of all that Hwa Rang Do offers. They tested their physical
skill in sport applications, and more importantly, they demonstrated
warrior spirit through the trial of competition. This year’s
strong showing of Madison students should inspire even more people
next year to step up to the Musa Challenge.
2008 Minneapolis Holiday
Demonstration and Party
Every year we train hard, working to improve ourselves
and advance in our training and our commitment to the highest ideals
of living. We practice, attend classes, learn techniques and curriculum,
and put ourselves into the fire of promotional exams and tournaments.
We attend seminars where our Instructors and Masters pour information
into us at a rate that can only described as drinking water through
a fire hose. So when the year ends, what do we do? Naturally, we train
even harder and throw an awesome party!
The end of 2008 was no exception to this rule, and
was Minneapolis’ largest and best attended year-end celebration
ever. The day began with the promotion of seven juniors to TSD Black
Belts (see separate article!) which started the day off right. Present
were all ages and ranks, from 2 ½ year-old Tiny Tigers to HRD
advanced students; the Seagate and University of Minnesota clubs were
well represented as we celebrated an exciting year’s accomplishment
and struggle. We welcomed a special guest: SBN Brett Spoehr, and celebrated
the recent promotion of Instructor Sirny to the rank of SuSuk SaBumNim:
4th Dan Degree Black Sash in Hwa Rang Do.
As always, the day started out with the juniors demonstrating
their acrobatic skills by performing dive rolls, cartwheels, aerials,
and handsprings, each pushing their limits to show what they’ve
learned. Then, the show really got going, with JKN Alyssa Marlenee
demonstrating Black Sash double-wrist grab defense and pain compliance
techniques, giving two Hwa Rang Do students a chance to repeatedly
demonstrate their mastery of aerial falling methods!
The students then proceeded to demonstrate their
knowledge of their open hand and weapon forms, performing examples
of Tae Soo Do and Hwa Rang Do forms, ranging from TSD Orange belt
all the way through HRD Red Sash. The HRD Intermediate belts performed
an impressive version of the Purple Sash form done back-to-back, so
that no student could take visual clues from another, and as always,
Mr. and Mrs. Cole demonstrated that in HRD and marriage, synchronization
is key, exhibiting the Red Sash form. Of particular note were the
performances of our newly promoted TSD Black Belt juniors, who performed
a synchronized TSD sword form, and the highlight of watching two HRD
young men, Max Finch-Raymond and Tomah Kelley-Pegg perform a double
ssang-jyel-bong that they had created and choreographed! Mr. Shields
also showed off his mastery of his favorite weapon, the long staff,
impressing everyone with his HRD Jang Bong form. To cap everything
off, the audience and students were treated to the sight of SBN Spoehr
demonstrating an amazing performance of the HRD 2nd Dan long form
– easily as long as three or four HRD advanced color sash forms
put together!
Following the forms demonstration, it was time for
the traditional destruction of mass quantities of wood and brick,
as the performance turned to breaking. Each student chose their favorite
technique and demonstrated their ability to focus, concentrate, and
apply power properly faced with a hard target. From palm strikes and
side kicks to the more challenging axe and spinning kicks, the junior
and senior students demolished their way through enough wood to build
a couple sets of bookshelves! The breaking finished with Inst Brett
Spoehr and Brett Shields (HRD Blue Sash) demonstrating low, middle,
high, and “sky high” versions of Hwa Rang Do’s signature
move: the spinning kick (in this case, finishing with a jump spinning
540° sky-high board break)!
Following a quick clean-up, the Tae Soo Do students
took the stage to perform their basic kick-punch self-defense techniques,
working through simple block-strike combinations, all the way up to
the defenses against multiple attacks, complete with takedowns and
throws, that one learns as Tae Soo Do students. Not to be outdone,
the HRD men showed both offensive and defensive techniques, including
wrist grabs, defenses against kicks, and some truly spectacular throws
and takedowns.
After the more static demonstrations of classroom-style
applications of techniques, the color sash ladies (Mrs. Alina Cole
and Miss Kayla Anderson) began to demonstrate more dynamic applications
of their techniques, with Mrs. Cole showing her husband the error
of underestimating her with finger manipulations, hip throws, and
groundwork. Miss Anderson proved to the much-taller Jason Ritenouer
that he wasn’t near tall enough to avoid her repeated kicks
to his head, a demonstration of Applied Flexibilty 101.
It was then time to bring the nights demonstrations
to a close, and Instructor Sirny had scheduled a truly great finale.
First, Inst Packard (HRD 1st Dan) demonstrated advanced grappling
techniques and takedowns on Instructor Ritenouer. Then we were treated
to SBN Spoehr giving an impressive exhibition of HRD 3rd Dan triple
joint-lock combinations, working the long-suffering Mr Shields through
several complex transitions from one excruciating joint lock or compliance
technique to another. Following the demonstration of HRD advanced
black sash techniques, the audience was treated to something most
had never seen before – the demonstration of HRD Kumsul (sword
techniques) with the new special leg armor (hache hogu, or “tari
armor”) designed and developed by our own Chief Master Lee.
This special equipment is unique to the world of sport swordsmanship,
and a special facet of advanced kumdo training provided by Hwa Rang
Do.
The final demonstration of the evening was Chief
Instructor Sirny performing, to thunderous applause, the 3rd Dan single-hand
sword form. The difficulty and precision of this beautiful pattern
was apparent to all, and demonstrated once again how lucky Minneapolis
is to have such an accomplished instructor.
Having completed the performance piece of the evening,
naturally, it was time to party! As is tradition, as well as being
respectful, the junior students first served their parents, who not
only had been waiting patiently and enjoying the show, but who we
recognize as being essential to the training and success of each student.
They couldn’t be training except for their parents’ permission
and encouragement, and as a “thank you” for another year’s
hard work, the junior students see their parents needs taken care
of before their own.
The night continued on, with games, karaoke, and
good conversation and fellowship long into the night. Later that evening,
after most had gone, an unusual competition developed, as the Minneapolis
and West Coast HQ exchanged phone calls to ensure that the festivities
were continuing in full force. Night turned into the next day, and
the Minneapolis Holiday party of 2008 ended at 9am the next morning.
Hwarang spirit in action! It was a great day, and signed with a flourish
the last chapter in 2008. We look forward to next year’s training,
and even better things for Minneapolis and Hwa Rang Do in 2009.
International
News
Italy:
New Videos Online
New video about the European Hwa Rang Do® Event 2008.
A short but very interesting video about the EU Hwa Rang Do Events
in June 2008, Rome, Italy. There are pieces of Chief Master Lee's
seminars and teachings.
http://www.hwarangdo.it/chiefmasterlee2008.php
Training on the
Beach – Rome
We arranged one-day training session on the beach
for HRD & TSD students in Rome. We studied meditation and TSD
techniques & forms. After that, we spent a lot of time training
our aquatic combat skills, both for fun and serious training.
The water was very cold and consumes a lot of energy, but it was
truly refreshing! At the end of the training session, w held our monthly
Tae Soo Do Belt Testing. I guess we are pretty strict, because only
one student passed…
Gotoogi is Starting
to Take Root in Italy!
Gotoogi Training - Genoa
On November 22, 2008 we held a short Gotoogi Clinic in Genoa. This
was in preparation of our students for the Annual Gotoogi Challenge.
Regional Gotoogi Championship - Pisa
On November 23, 2008 we held the Pisa Regional Gotoogi Championship.
There's a specific mini web-site for the event with pictures and results.
http://www.hwarangdo.it/gotoogi2008/garepisa.html
Regional Gotoogi Championship - Genoa
On November 30, 2008 we held the regional Genoa Regional Gotoogi
Championship.
There's a specific mini web-site for the event with pictures and results.
http://www.hwarangdo.it/gotoogi2008/garegenova.html
The 1st Italian National Gotoogi Championship
On December 21, 2008 we held the 1st Italian National Gotoogi Championship
in Pisa. All the regional champions participated in the competition
in the quest for the national first place title.
There's a specific mini web-site for the event with pictures and results.
http://www.hwarangdo.it/gotoogi2008/garenazionali.html
You can see also the teams in the picture. All the champions (over
18) competed for the Grand Champion title. The Italian Hwa Rang Do
& Tae Soo Do Club that won the 2008 award for the best overall
school was the Genoa Club.
Waiting for New
Year 2009
On the last night of the year, December 31, when most people wait
for the New Year eating, drinking, dancing, and partying, we started
a new tradition in the Rome Club. We do the thing which I like doing
the most, without a doubt Hwa Rang Do® training!
So, why not greet the New Year with hard training!!! The Welcoming
the New Year Training started at 08.00pm and ended at 12 midnight.
It was not mandatory training but training for only the very motivated
people students!
Students from Rome as well as Pisa accepted the challenge. We trained
from 08.00pm, but did not stop at the prescribed time of midnight,
but continued training until 2.00am. Afterwards, we all enjoyed a
meal together and greeted the New Year in our special way.
It was truly an awesome experience for the few diehards. We could
hear the explosions of fireworks outside, which was muffled by our
loud kiaps inside.
The entire Hwa Rang Do/Tae Soo Do students in Italy and I wish a
great 2009 to all the HRD/TSD brothers and sisters in the World!
Hwarang forever!
