Studying Taekwondo

Between March and December 2005, myself and 2 sidekicks, Anna and Mel, subjected ourselves to three (sometimes four) times a week tuition in taekwondo. Our mentors were Kwan Jang Nim (Grand Master) with his 7th grade black belt and 30 years experience, and Sah Bum Nim (master) a lowly 4th Dan of 10 years black belt experience. Our Wang Ho dojang (King Tiger gym) is, KJM proudly tells us, the best gym in the county, and affiliated with Kyong Hee University, the best taekwondo university in South Korea. Our two masters for three students education rapidly became a way of life, and a bargain one at that for fifty quid a month.

Random photos from lowly green belt grade:

Learning sonnahl chigi or 'knife hand strike', or if you'd rather, 'neck chop'

Sparring with black-belted Hyong: 'older brother' as the Korean system of addressing elders and seniors dictates. Oooh! my ribs were tender that evening

Proudly showing off black belt status with Sah Bum Nim ('master') of many years black belt experience, yet only 25-yrs-old (and he delivers a mean, ceiling-reaching, flying cartwheel, 360 degree turn kick)

Taekwondo black belt award ceremony

From spoon-footed moron to taekwondo black belter in 9 interesting months.

Nine months on from starting studying taekwondo I'm no longer 'made of wood', can kick at shouder height and say 50 Korean martial arts words, and appear to be alright at Korea's most famous martial art. Last Friday I got my black belt.

Receiving my black belt from Kwan Jang Nim (Grand Master), still stunned I have actually achieved the grade


Our last run-through of 'tae ker chil jang', the 7th poom sae (sequence of offensive and defensive moves to use against a group of attackers)

Showing off with a 'dwee chagi' (side kick)

Myself, Melissa and Anna with our Kwan Jang Nim