Choose another gallery

1st Senior Seminar by Grand Master Choi

UK ITF
1st Senior Seminar by Grand Master Choi - click for next image
Previous image
Previous image
Image 1 of 340
DIRECT LINK: /photo-gallery.asp?cat=1457&img=22916
Image 1
Image 2
Image 3
Image 4
Image 5
Image 6
Image 7
Image 8
Image 9
Image 10
Image 11
Image 12
Image 13
Image 14
Image 15
Image 16
Image 17
Image 18
Image 19
Image 20
Image 21
Image 22
Image 23
Image 24
Image 25
Image 26
Image 27
Image 28
Image 29
Image 30
Image 31
Image 32
Image 33
Image 34
Image 35
Image 36
Image 37
Image 38
Image 39
Image 40
Image 41
Image 42
Image 43
Image 44
Image 45
Image 46
Image 47
Image 48
Image 49
Image 50
Image 51
Image 52
Image 53
Image 54
Image 55
Image 56
Image 57
Image 58
Image 59
Image 60
Image 61
Image 62
Image 63
Image 64
Image 65
Image 66
Image 67
Image 68
Image 69
Image 70
Image 71
Image 72
Image 73
Image 74
Image 75
Image 76
Image 77
Image 78
Image 79
Image 80
Image 81
Image 82
Image 83
Image 84
Image 85
Image 86
Image 87
Image 88
Image 89
Image 90
Image 91
Image 92
Image 93
Image 94
Image 95
Image 96
Image 97
Image 98
Image 99
Image 100
Image 101
Image 102
Image 103
Image 104
Image 105
Image 106
Image 107
Image 108
Image 109
Image 110
Image 111
Image 112
Image 113
Image 114
Image 115
Image 116
Image 117
Image 118
Image 119
Image 120
Image 121
Image 122
Image 123
Image 124
Image 125
Image 126
Image 127
Image 128
Image 129
Image 130
Image 131
Image 132
Image 133
Image 134
Image 135
Image 136
Image 137
Image 138
Image 139
Image 140
Image 141
Image 142
Image 143
Image 144
Image 145
Image 146
Image 147
Image 148
Image 149
Image 150
Image 151
Image 152
Image 153
Image 154
Image 155
Image 156
Image 157
Image 158
Image 159
Image 160
Image 161
Image 162
Image 163
Image 164
Image 165
Image 166
Image 167
Image 168
Image 169
Image 170
Image 171
Image 172
Image 173
Image 174
Image 175
Image 176
Image 177
Image 178
Image 179
Image 180
Image 181
Image 182
Image 183
Image 184
Image 185
Image 186
Image 187
Image 188
Image 189
Image 190
Image 191
Image 192
Image 193
Image 194
Image 195
Image 196
Image 197
Image 198
Image 199
Image 200
Image 201
Image 202
Image 203
Image 204
Image 205
Image 206
Image 207
Image 208
Image 209
Image 210
Image 211
Image 212
Image 213
Image 214
Image 215
Image 216
Image 217
Image 218
Image 219
Image 220
Image 221
Image 222
Image 223
Image 224
Image 225
Image 226
Image 227
Image 228
Image 229
Image 230
Image 231
Image 232
Image 233
Image 234
Image 235
Image 236
Image 237
Image 238
Image 239
Image 240
Image 241
Image 242
Image 243
Image 244
Image 245
Image 246
Image 247
Image 248
Image 249
Image 250
Image 251
Image 252
Image 253
Image 254
Image 255
Image 256
Image 257
Image 258
Image 259
Image 260
Image 261
Image 262
Image 263
Image 264
Image 265
Image 266
Image 267
Image 268
Image 269
Image 270
Image 271
Image 272
Image 273
Image 274
Image 275
Image 276
Image 277
Image 278
Image 279
Image 280
Image 281
Image 282
Image 283
Image 284
Image 285
Image 286
Image 287
Image 288
Image 289
Image 290
Image 291
Image 292
Image 293
Image 294
Image 295
Image 296
Image 297
Image 298
Image 299
Image 300
Image 301
Image 302
Image 303
Image 304
Image 305
Image 306
Image 307
Image 308
Image 309
Image 310
Image 311
Image 312
Image 313
Image 314
Image 315
Image 316
Image 317
Image 318
Image 319
Image 320
Image 321
Image 322
Image 323
Image 324
Image 325
Image 326
Image 327
Image 328
Image 329
Image 330
Image 331
Image 332
Image 333
Image 334
Image 335
Image 336
Image 337
Image 338
Image 339
Image 340
14th June 2009   Images: 340

The first ever 4th Degree and above seminar was a true milestone event. Its importance was underscored by the presence 16 masters and 64 senior black belts.  Additionally, participants travelled from as far away as Argentina, Australia, Malaysia and North America.  Naturally, Europe was very well represented. Of particular importance was the presence of the Tournaments Committee Chairman, Master Galarraga, thus helping ensure that the standard in training would also be the standard in competitions.

It was a special touch of hospitality that Master Nicholls greeted arriving partisipants in-person at the Heathrow International Airport despite his host organizational workload.
 
The seminar venue was an excellent choice just ten minutes drive away from the airport.  The modern hotel had a helpful and friendly staff. There was much anticipation in the air among the participants at check-in.
 
Friday evening started with a meeting to survey the type of questions and expectations participants had for the seminar. This measure to use available time effectively had already started with the seminar announcement several months ago and again two weeks by E-mail before the event.  President Choi Jung Hwa then appeared to greet the participants.  He informed on the historical development in which South Korea is supporting the ITF under his leadership and the cooperation between the ITF and the WTF.  He also highlighted the significance of the World Championship to be held in South Korea next Summer.  Master Galaragga then briefed on changes made to the Tournament Rules.

Saturday training started with the 1st Degree Tuls.  It was quickly apparent that not all participants could do Tuls at the same time in the large banquet hall and so single movements were conducted by halves.  That measure turned out just fine as participants were better able to write down notes on the exacting movements as explained by Grand Master Choi and demonstrated by the many masters in assistance.  Not only were movements prescribed, but how to train on them were also explained, such as for the two-direction kicks in Kodang.  There was much note-taking by the higly interested and inquisitive participants.  GM Choi noted that Germany won in having the most questions per capita.
 
The sweaty bodies in white Dobok uniforms during hard training were transformed in the two hours break into relaxed and elegant ladies and gentlemen for the banquet.  The fine attire and banquet atmosphere could have doubled for that hosted by George Clooney at a film festival in Cannes.  The event made obvious that the seminar weekend was also a family re-union.  The announcement that Master Issac Harry was promoted to 8th Degree met with loud applause for the well-deserved honor. At age 64, Master Harry is truly an inspiration!

Sunday started with the 24th and final Tul for 6th Degree black belts and above..  Then the remaining Tuls were practiced and addressed by all present in the remaining time.  The training  intensity was a great as the day before.

This was certainly the best of all the many International Instructor Courses and masters specialty seminars that the author has particpated in.
 
So, the last question from Germany: When will the next such seminar be held?
Thank you.

Written by: Robert (Bob) Borja - 19th June 2009

View as a Flash Slideshow
The Unit, Victoria Lane, Harlington, Middlesex UB3 5EW, United Kingdom
© Copyright 2007-24 - UK ITF All Rights Reserved | Full Members of the British Taekwon-Do Council www.tkdcouncil.com
Website design and creation © 2007-24 Black Culm Ltd