Tae Kwon Do Anybody? - JP Fitness Forums

edtkd · 08-29-2006, 07:09 PM

If so, what belt are you. What do you do for training?

Chris Correia · 08-30-2006, 11:25 AM

The following is a paste of my post from this topic. That's all I have time for at the moment. How about you?

Please forgive the length of this explanation; if I talk about my training and accomplishment, I must recognize my instructors and superiors. To not do so would be, I think, improper. I also hope that my chronology can help others to recognize that even older people, or people with marginal talent, can take on new challenges and achieve great things if they just continue to show up and put in the time, one step or one class at a time.

I began my current training at North Shore Taekwondo under Master Bruce Sodahl, 4th Dan, here in Duluth, Minnesota in September of 1993 (as a chubby and out of shape 33 year old). Our schools are part of the Greenquist Academy Association of Master Eric Greenquist, Sixth Dan, which is part the family of schools within the International Black Belt Federation (IBBF), begun by our 9th Dan grandmaster, Moo Yong Yun, and recognized by the Kukkiwon (the world taekwondo headquarters in Korea).

Twelve-plus years later, I am fortunate to have never stopped training, and have gotten progressively deeper into my practice and instruction.

Our taekwondo system is actually a blend of taekwondo and hapkido. Our training is traditional and self-defense oriented, but we have some sport taekwondo focus for students who are interested in that. (Actually, our style of hapkido has been described as battlefield hapkido.)

I achieved Third Dan in Taekwondo (Kukkiwon Certified) in 2001. Upon the recommendation of the head of our association, my next testing opportunity will be for Fourth Dan/Master Instructor & Examiner.

Because of the integration of Hapkido in our system, I was able to train with and test for First Dan certification in Hapkido in August of 2000, under 7th Dan Grandmaster Sang Ki Lee, a representative of the Korea Hapkido Association visiting the US. In a training trip to Korea in March of 2003, I had the opportunity to train and test for Second Dan, Hapkido, in an examination by Grandmaster Lee in Soeul.

Our own Grandmaster Yun introduced Kumbup/Kumdo (traditional sword techniques, and sport fighting with bamboo swords) to the IBBF schools in the late 1990's. I began training in Kumbup/Kumdo under Master Eric Greenquist in Breckenridge, Minnesota in February of 1999. (We would travel 5 hours across the state for monthly, afternoon training sessions; we did this for nearly five years. Now I can train in Duluth under my instructor.) I tested for and achieved First Dan in Kumbup/Kumdo on that trip to Korea in 2003 before an examination board of the Intenational Kumbup Kumdo Federation, Grandmaster Chang-Joo Jung, Head Examiner. I subsequently also tested and was recognized as First Dan under an examiner of the Kum Ae Dang, our own Kumdo/Kumbup organization in the US which was started by Grandmaster Yun.

I have operated my own school in Cloquet, Minnesota for three and a half years. I had many years of assistant instructing at my instructor's school prior to that (I suppose at some point I became the chief assistant instructor, or my instructor's "second in command"). I also taught several regular/continuing successful/popular after-school programs for youth for a number of years prior to operating my own school.

So, I teach, but I remain a student of my instructor, and of his instructor (Master Greenquist -- to become Grandmaster Greenquist in Korea this Spring, I think and hope!), as well a student of all of the masters and grandmasters within our family and, most of all, of Grandmaster Yun. I -- we all -- are very fortunate to have such a family.
__________________
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jackdeath · 09-15-2006, 09:44 AM

4th Dan.

wolfwindshadow · 10-26-2006, 10:36 PM

I am an orange belt (just started in July) in Ashland, WI at Long Island Tae Kwon Do. I am proud to say that Master Todd Gibbon is doing a wonderfull job and making learning fun, i hope to be able to stick with this for a very long time.

Scrubs · 10-31-2006, 08:34 AM

I am currently testing for my 2nd Dan at the end of november so hopefully it goes well. I try and train at the school at at least 5-8 hours a week as well as workout in the local Y with strength training in the morning before work.

I started TKD when I was 5 almost 6 and trained consistently until I was 17, than on and off for a bit while college started. Than I fell out for about 5-6 years. I started back up a few years ago and have been trying to get this test done, this will be my third attempt at it. Two years ago I got bronchitis right before my test, and last year due to poor form I threw out my lower back while doing squats. So I was unable to train for about 6 months.

So hopefully it all works out this time around.

Scrubs

Irishdazza · 10-31-2006, 10:21 AM

Good luck...

wolfwindshadow · 10-31-2006, 10:33 AM

I am hoping for good luck too as I ready myself for the World Chang Moo Kwan Championships in Fargo North Dakota in about 2 weeks.... anyway, off I go to train for a while, then off to take kids trick or treating.. Happy Halloween everybody.

Chris Correia · 10-31-2006, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wolfwindshadow

I am hoping for good luck too as I ready myself for the World Chang Moo Kwan Championships in Fargo North Dakota in about 2 weeks.... anyway, off I go to train for a while, then off to take kids trick or treating.. Happy Halloween everybody.

Say hello to Master Todd for me, wolf! I am Mr. Chris Correia, from Duluth/Cloquet, who took part in his test. Master Todd and I have been training partners (we still are, perhaps, depending on the event LOL).

wolfwindshadow · 10-31-2006, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Correia

Say hello to Master Todd for me, wolf! I am Mr. Chris Correia, from Duluth/Cloquet, who took part in his test. Master Todd and I have been training partners (we still are, perhaps, depending on the event LOL).

Will do! You going to be there at Fargo? It's my first competition and I am getting nervous....

and by the way, the real name is Mr. Chad Lampson, Wolf Windshadow is my name on the net...

Chris Correia · 11-01-2006, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wolfwindshadow

Will do! You going to be there at Fargo? It's my first competition and I am getting nervous....

and by the way, the real name is Mr. Chad Lampson, Wolf Windshadow is my name on the net...

Hello, Mr. Chad. Nice to make your acquaintance, electronically, at least.

Yes, I will be at the Chang Moo Kwan World Champtionships. Otherwise, I risk incurring the rath of at least one master and one grandmaster! Who knows: if there are senior age divisions, I might actually place! LOL

In many ways a tournament is a tournament. You prepare the best you can and give it your best shot. This one will just be a lot bigger. More waiting, and, if sparring, more matches. More experience!

Just prepare the best you can leading up to it, go in with confidence in your ability, and put forth your best effort. That way, you are a success in any case.

Be sure to say hello. I'm sure Master Todd will introduce students should he get the chance.

wolfwindshadow · 11-01-2006, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Correia

Hello, Mr. Chad. Nice to make your acquaintance, electronically, at least.

Yes, I will be at the Chang Moo Kwan World Championships. Otherwise, I risk incurring the wrath of at least one master and one grandmaster! Who knows: if there are senior age divisions, I might actually place! LOL

In many ways a tournament is a tournament. You prepare the best you can and give it your best shot. This one will just be a lot bigger. More waiting, and, if sparring, more matches. More experience!

Just prepare the best you can leading up to it, go in with confidence in your ability, and put forth your best effort. That way, you are a success in any case.

Be sure to say hello. I'm sure Master Todd will introduce students should he get the chance.

Said hi to Master Todd for ya last night, and I am most assuredly going to do my best on this, I don't easily give up or give less then 100%. have a good day!