“If you know one thing through and through, you know everything”, words from ITF President, Grand Master Choi Jung Hwa, predicated the International Instructor Course (IIC) held in Hong Kong from 15th to 17th October 2010. IIC Hong Kong 2010, conducted to officially certify IV Degree holders as Instructors for grading of students and application of ITF Certifications, was attended by the local practitioners as well as those from Australia, Bulgaria, China, Czech Republic, Ireland, Malaysia and Singapore.

Upon our arrival at Hong Kong International Airport on 15th October 2010, Master Daniel Sng, Mr Jeremy Tan and myself were greeted by the warm reception of Mr Windy Yu (V Degree, Shing Wu Taekwon-Do Association). The IIC commenced on the same night at Queen Elizabeth School Old Students’ Association Tong Kwok Wah Secondary School located in Yuen Long, New Territories.

Following the opening, Master Sng was invited to join the panel of examiners with Grand Master Choi Jung Hwa, Master Trevor Nicholls (VII Degree, ITF Secretary General), Master David Lau (VII Degree, Hong Kong Original Taekwon-Do Council President) and Master Dantes Poon (VII Degree, Hong Kong Original Taekwon-Do Council Vice President) in an international black belt grading for practitioners from Australia and Bulgaria. Concurrently, Master James Hogan (VII Degree, Hogan’s Institute of Taekwon-Do) and Master Zibby Kruk (VII Degree, ITF Research) conducted exercises and kicking for the participants of IIC.

A principled approach, coherent with Grand Master Choi’s words, was adopted for days 2 and 3 of the course. Focus was placed on fundamentals for efficient execution of techniques coupled with massive amounts of power. Following which, patterns were reviewed and further refined with the enhanced fundamentals by Grand Master Choi with close assistance by Master Nicholls.

Apart from fundamentals and patterns, Master Hogan incorporated numerous sparring drills and fresh exercise routines while Master Kruk introduced the scientific aspect of Taekwon-Do through interesting lectures on perfecting the knife-hand as well as basis of 3-step sparring. Additionally, Master Sng was provided the opportunity to lead the warm-up exercise during day 2 of the course.

On day 2, participants of the course were invited to attend a dinner party at Province Hot-pot and Seafood Restaurant. A scrumptious course dinner was served while Grand Master Choi and the accompanying Masters visited each table for a photo opportunity. The party ended with an attractive lucky draw of Taekwon-Do encyclopedias.

At the end of the course, a VII Degree certificate was awarded to Master Zibby Kruk and following which certification of participation as well as a group photograph was presented to participants of IIC Hong Kong 2010 by Grand Master Choi. An autograph session by Grand Master Choi and the accompanying Masters then followed, concluding the course on a high note.

Subsequent to the course, we managed to meet with one of ITC’s previous member, Mr Hu Bao Ju, who is currently pursuing his Bachelor of Laws at The Chinese University of Hong Kong. The evening was spent in reminiscence as well as catching up over a hearty Chinese dinner. We further had a shopping session at a night market and ended the wonderful evening with a supper treat by Mr Hu.

We would like to sincerely thank our wonder host, Hong Kong Original Taekwon-Do Council, for their kind invitation and cordial hospitality. Also, we extend special thanks and congratulations to Master Lau for the success of the event and also gratitude to Mr Yu for his reception. We look forward to participating in the Asia Cup to be held at Hong Kong in July/August 2011.

On a personal note, I am unable to put across my glee in finally attending an overseas trip for Taekwon-Do after so many years, and would like to thank Master Sng for this opportunity. Also, I would like to express my gratitude to Mr Jeremy Tan for his assistance in the administration for the trip. Undoubtedly, more than just Taekwon-Do has been gained from this trip; in particular, I managed to learn a lot more about Master Sng and Mr Jeremy Tan through our late night chats, which more often than not involves boisterous laughter and heartfelt conversations.


Taekwon

Written by Mr Derrick Yong, 3rd Degree Black Belt, ITF Singapore

Article source: http://www.itf-singapore.com