United Taekwondo Promotes Eight

Jumping off walls, clobbering body blows and smashing stacked roof tiles were some of the highlights of eight successful United Taekwondo black belt applicants at Mt Annan high in Sydney’s West last night.

The Illawarra can be particularly proud of its Chief Instructor Rory Hogan who was successful in attaining the rank of third dan black belt.

The grading began with each applicant attempting their board breaks as the crowd marvelled at Instructor Rory’s three board front kick, a break not witnessed by some of the most senior members.

A sword routine and single side kick break off the wall helped set Rory’s display a level above the rest.

The grading took a gruelling two hours as each applicant was tested on their ability to spar, perform Kata (moves in a set pattern) and break boards and tiles with a range of hand and kicking techniques.

Master Paul Mitchell said he was happy with the standard of the applicants.

“It’s a credit to the hard work and dedication that they have applied to the art. They all deserved their accomplishments.”

Instructor Rory Hogan was pleased with his performance, the result of two years hard training. He was one of two instructors applying for third dan, an occasion unprecedented at a United Taekwondo grading.

“It was good grading with Mark [Chamberlain] … we have different strengths which meant the day was special for both of us,” said Mr Hogan.

Mark Chamberlain, the other third degree applicant, crashed through six boards with two kicks before breaking sixteen roof tiles with twin downward knife hands.

If this grading was something to remember, then the grading to be held in three months time is the second coming says instructor Rory.

“Master Paul Mitchell will be attempting his fifth degree and Chief Instructor John Tomic will be applying for his fourth degree.”

The grading is set to be held on August 14th. Visit the United Taekwondo website for more information.

by Keiran Deck

Martial Arts Encourages Primary Children to Get Active

Martial arts are branching out to Wollongong’s schools and encouraging physical activity as Woonona primary students take up Taekwondo.

The kids are learning the sport under the federal government’s Active After-School Communities (AASC) program which is now an established part of twenty three schools in the Wollongong area.

Lisa Hogan, a blue belt and aerobics instructor, has been running the classes at Woonona public school once a week since the start of term and says that the program is a great way to get kids involved in a sport they would not usually be exposed to.

“Taekwondo might not be an activity that they would have normally tried … the AASC program provides them with a set of skills to encourage the children to continue to be active outside of school.”

The program runs throughout the school term, allowing time for coach and student to create a relationship and develop a specific set of skills.

The Wollongong regional co-ordinator for AASC, Andrew Phelan, says that the kids love learning the basics of martial arts and having it in the AASC curriculum is a fantastic privilege.

“Lisa and Rory [Lisa’s partner] do a great job in teaching an alternative martial arts class that’s fun and engaging for the kids.”

Woonona public school is currently the only school offering Taekwondo classes.

The AASC program provides a variety of sports and the schools have complete control over which sports they offer.

“We take coaches from the specific sport and train them up with the skills they need to deal with children of that age and then send them out on the school’s request,” says Andrew Phelan.

To get your school involved, contact Andrew Phelan or the Australian Sports Commission.

by Keiran Deck

National All Styles Tournament Continues to Draw Interest

Forms champion David Rush was defeated in his title defence during the NSW National All Styles tournament at the Ryde Aquatic Centre last weekend despite a passionate display of strength and skill.

Round two of the tournament saw thirty five clubs compete in sparring and forms disciplines as the three hundred plus crowd cheered those from various martial arts.

David Rush, who some described as a performer of the perfect pattern, was beaten by Denise Fung, and only managed to hold on to second place by 0.01 of a point.

Gary Palmer, the NSW tournament co-ordinator was happy with the day’s events and said he was impressed with the attitude that all competitors took into the competition.

“It doesn’t matter how old or how young you are, everybody seems to be very keen to get in there and have a go,” he said.

Go Kan Ryu martial arts took out the black belt open sparring division’s first six places but the results do not reflect accurately the standard shown by all.

“It was a great example to all competitors that you can fight hard and still be ‘quick and clean’” said Mr Palmer.

First time National All Styles competitor Julie Jones won first place in the open veteran’s ladies sparring, subsequently doing her part to boost United Taekwondo onto the NAS scene.

United Taekwondo were represented for the first time at the tournament. Chief Instructor Randall Jones, who was placed fourth in the men’s veterans sparring, said that they would be back again next round in greater numbers.

“This will now see United Taekwondo preparing students in a range of age and belt divisions for next round.”

by Keiran Deck