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BTCB Martial Arts Technical Team seminar attracts record numbers. 18th September 2011 at Mansfield Woodhouse saw the
largest gathering of BTCB members at the ever popular Technical seminar, in
preparation for Dan Promotion testing. The
picture (courtesy of Mac at Photographic Clarity of Huddersfield) shows
the eager participants in what was a most thoroughly enjoyable day all
round. But don’t take our word for it, to get an “insiders” view of the
seminar, read the article written by one of those who took part and who is
in preparation for 5th Dan Master grade status.
Leading up to any grading, it is common for one to go through a series of
mixed emotions that range from being confident that everything will go
smoothly on the day to that of complete and utter panic that the day will be
disastrous. Despite the number of gradings I have had to-date, my greatest
fear unquestionably is that I will completely blank out when it comes to
performing my patterns. I confess that the couple of months leading up to my
grading, I was airing on the side of the latter!
To find out more about the grading material and what was expected of me on
the day of the grading, I attended the recent Dan Seminar in Nottingham (18th
October 2011) given by Masters Ian Lennon (7th Dan), Neil Guest
(7th Dan), Mike McKenzie (7th Dan) and Adrian Tranter
(6th Dan). In short, whilst arriving at the seminar feeling
concerned about the tremendous expectations that come with grading for
Master-Level Status in WTF Tae Kwon Do, and whilst I left the seminar with
the knowledge that these expectations are still a requisite and more so, I
felt altogether much more confident in my abilities and how best to apply my
abilities on the day, based on the excellent tutelage of the instructors,
all of which are members of the BTCB panel of examiners.
The Seminar began at 11 am with a welcome introduction by Master Tranter who
introduced each of the instructors. This was followed by a warm-up session
led by Master Mike McKenzie. The record number of attendees from clubs
across the UK was then split into four groups depending on grade. The group
I was in ranged from 3rd Dan to 6th Dan black belts
and was led by Master Ian Lennox, the BTCB Technical Director. Over the next
two hours, Master Lennox covered a range of topics directly relevant to the
Dan-grading syllabus including: patterns; one-step sparring; self-defence;
and destruction. Master Lennox’s teaching approach was such that everyone
seemingly appeared at ease and as a result triggered numerous discussions
within the group whilst still maintaining a very high work rate throughout
the two or so hours we spent under his expert tutelage.
We began with a run-through of the Dan-grade patterns with some very
important advice as to what one should do in the event of a blunder during
their pattern. This was an immediate ice-breaker, certainly for me. Whilst I
am fully aware that even the most seasoned Martial Artist can have an
off-moment during his/her pattern, reassurance from the BTCB Technical
Director adds a certain gravitas to this notion. Couple this to Master
Lennox’s clear interpretations and explanations of even the most subtle
technical aspects of the pattern, this part of the Seminar alone, was worthy
of the drive up the road-work stricken M1! Master Lennox then went through
one-step sparring and self defence. Perhaps the most important message that
came across from this part of the session was that whilst flying kicks and
take-downs involving multiple wrist locks and hip-throws are impressive and
can indeed have the desired effect, taking a more practical approach such as
stepping out of harms way and merely kicking your attacker to the groin can
actually be more effective. The former approach undoubtedly looks impressive
with the desired effect however one expends much more energy and can, in
many cases, lead to greater chances of error when executing the technique.
The session ended with a run-down of the examiners expectation on
destruction. Here I learned that the candidate is not only assessed on
whether he/she breaks the boards, but also on how the boards are set up,
especially for a multi-directional destruction, such as for a 5th
Dan grading.
Despite still feeling nervous about my up coming grading in November (even as I compose this paragraph), and despite knowing that I will need to be performing at my very best on the day of the grading, I am certainly more confident than I was prior to attending the seminar as I am fully aware of what is expected of me. Would I recommend someone with a fast-approaching grading to attend a Dan seminar? Absolutely! You are taught by the very best instructors in the country in a very approachable manner and you also meet fellow martial artists who you can relate to being in the same position as you. Article By Mr Stavros 4th Dan FOR THE LATEST CLUB NEWS AND INFO ASK TO BE ADDED TO THE HEART OF ENGLAND EMAILING LIST. SEND AN EMAIL TO N.S.Guest@hoetkd.co.uk BTCB Concludes Successful Meeting with Kukkiwon
BTCB Chairman Adrian Tranter, Secretary-General Neil Guest and Vice-President Lim Kwan-In have spent the last three days in meetings with Kukkiwon President Kang Won-Sik, Chairman Kim Joo-Hoon and Vice-President Lim Choon-Kil. Day one was spent in private meetings at Kukkiwon Headquarters with President Kang then Vice President Lim, discussing various matters of mutual benefit and interests.
Day two commenced as VIP guests
of President Kang at the World Hanmadang
Championships. BTCB Chairman Adrian Tranter personally
accompanied President Kang to lunch: President
Kang was very keen to hear of the good work being done
by BTCB clubs back in the United Kingdom.
Secretary General Neil Guest accompanied
Vice-President Lim and Chairman Kim to the same
lunch, as they too were very interested in getting to know a
fuller perspective of our history and progress.
The afternoon saw everyone return to the Hanmadang.
After Chairman Adrian Tranter, Secretary-General Neil
Guest and Vice-President Lim Kwan-In took their
seats with the other VIP dignitaries, Adrian was further
honoured by being introduced to the audience as a
guest of honour.
Both Adrian and Neil were amazed at the many
activities of the Hanmadang, from the young
children performing Poomsae, to group breaking
demonstration, group self-defence and taekwondo
dance.
The highlight was a truly inspirational display of
synchron Poomsae, breaking and self-defence by
five teenage blind taekwondo athletes, who received a
standing ovation for their performance. The
evening saw Adrian and Neil as guests at the
Opening Ceremony Banquet, as pictured.
Day three again started at the Hanmadang. Chairman
Adrian Tranter, Secretary-General Neil Guest and
Vice-President Lim Kwan-In had a private lunch with
President Kang and Chairman Kim, where a deeper
understanding of how we can collaborate better
together in the future was forged.
The afternoon saw Adrian and President Kang
sign a Special Memorandum of Understanding
(MOU) with Kukkiwon. This special MOU is specifically only
available to Member National Federations of the
WTF. It sets out how the two organisations will
assist each other in the growth and development of Taekwondo
in the United Kingdom, through mutual respect
and co-operation. The signing ceremony is pictured.
 Adrian commented ‘The signing of the MOU between the Kukkiwon and the BTCB sets in place a status where we can enjoy a special relationship with Kukkiwon. There will be further collaboration between us that will help drive the standard of Taekwondo to even greater heights in the United Kingdom. I am delighted to have spent so much time with President Kang, Chairman Kim and Vice-President Lim, as we all recognised that our personal relationships are key to ensuring success. I am very content that we have the confidence of Kukkiwon in our abilities and that can only create better outcomes for us all in the United Kingdom. I also want to send a heartfelt “Thank you” to our Vice-President, Lim Kwan-In. His efforts during this whole trip have been instrumental in our tremendous success.’
Neil added ‘This
MOU will enable our work with Kukkiwon to become more
efficient and better understood. Our clubs can look
forward to receiving added benefits as
we develop a raft of opportunities with Kukkiwon over the
coming months. It is an exciting time
for our ar. With the relationships we have now
developed, I am confident that we can ensure Kukkiwon
certification will enhance the value of
our clubs’ excellent work within the United Kingdom. We,
like Kukkiwon themselves, wish to ensure
that our Dan Promotion and qualification
process will measure technical skills and training
competence, a matter that we in the BTCB give
the highest regard.
‘The BTCB Executive wishes to thank President Kang,
Chairman Kim and Vice- President Lim of
Kukkiwon for their superb hospitality during the visit to
Kukkiwon Headquarters and to the Hanmadang, and
also the Kukkiwon staff who have worked
tirelessly in helping us during our stay with Kukkiwon’.
 WTF President welcomes BTCB
Chairman Adrian Tranter, Secretary General Neil Guest & Vice President Lim Kwan In were welcomed by WTF President Dr Choue & Secretary General Mr Yang at the WTF office in Seoul on Monday 8th August 2011. Adrian commented “I am pleased to be able to report into Dr Choue at every opportunity of the preparations leading up to the London Olympic Games, as well as a wide range of other important topics. Dr Choue is working tirelessly on our behalf across many areas of keen interest to us in Great Britain, so it’s important that we support him wherever we can. The recent WTF Council meeting in Vladivostok resulted in a great show of unity for Dr Choue & we in Great Britain are wholly committed to the statement made by the WTF Council. To be able to tell him that personally is a pleasure & of course the right & proper thing to do”. Neil added “It was a honour to meet Dr Choue & Secretary General Mr Yang. I was impressed with the superb relationship Adrian has with them both. It is reassuring that Dr Choue is keen to understand issues that are important for us in Great Britain & that he values our opinions. Dr Choue’s leadership & vision was very evident during the whole meeting, it was a pleasure to be able to show our support of him” The BTCB Executive would wish to thank President Dr Choue & Secretary General Mr Yang for their hospitality shown to our Chairman, Secretary General & Vice President.”
Mr Sediqi took a team (Mr Bass was there as a referee) of six to the Doncaster Dome on 5th June 2011 and came back with 4 golds and 2 silvers, congratulations everyone. For more competitions see our Events Calendar at the top of the page for the rest of this year.
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