You made some comments so please allow me to return the favor.

Please do this: Print out the page with your comments and bring the printout to your teacher along with a copy of this article. Explain to him or her that you saw a video and are very proud of your comments. Ask if he or she agrees.

If your instructor says “good job, that was great, I’m really proud of you” then please ask him or her: “What are the tenets of Taekwon-Do“?

If your instructor calls himself a Taekwon-Do master and doesn’t teach Courtesy, Integrity or Self-control, then he or she is merely a “coach”.  In my opinion, your comments violate all three of these virtues.

If you are embarrassed at the thought of showing your teacher your comments, then I congratulate you again on your continued learning. General Choi said “Pain is the best teacher, but nobody wants to attend his class.” In my opinion, Taekwon-Do training is for anyone who wants to be the best they can be. Taekwon-Do training is not just training people to kick each other in the head.

Here is a useful tip for you:
Preface your insult with humility. “In my humble opinion” or “I could be wrong but…”. Below are some comments I received which were hurtful to read at first. However, the simple use of “I’m sorry” was enough for me to grant some respect to the writer and indeed see he/she was correct.

i’m sorry but… this is not a back kick, this what you performed is a a side kick. You even turned your waist first and then you kicked. Just pause at 0:29, your knee is completely sideways…

So, what are you going to do next? Are you going to print your comment and this article and give it to your instructor? Are you going to apologize? Are you going to post more rude comments on our other videos? How about writing some sarcastic retort? Imagine yourself standing before me, a 3rd Dan, and before my student, face to face. What would you do then?

Indeed, most of the people who make rude comments like this rarely have videos of themselves performing anything impressive. Most are simply yellow and green belts with a chip on their shoulder and that’s great. It’s all part of the process. By the time they are black belt, if they make it that far, I’m pretty sure they won’t feel compelled to take the easy path of writing an insult on a webpage to demonstrate their self-ordained superiority.

Thank you for reading this. I wish you all the best in your continued training and pray that your school holds dear the tenets of Taekwon-Do. Without them, Taekwon-Do is just another sport.

Dylan demonstrates a rear leg side kick to break a board. Please note that these are not children’s boards, these are 3/4 inch pine.

Jennifer Butler had the challenge of breaking with a lead leg side kick. “It’s easy when you have momentum”, said Grandmaster SJ Kim. In this demonstration, Jennifer is asked to go from a complete standing still position and generate power and speed using only the lead leg.

A complete list of items for auction will be made available at MainStreetOneonta.com next week.

Main Street Oneonta to hold 10^th Annual Auction at Foothills Performing Arts Center

Please join us for the 10^th Annual Main Street Oneonta Auction on October 23, 2009 in the Atrium of the Foothills Performing Arts Center from 5pm to 8pm. The preview of the items will begin at 5p.m. with the auction commencing at 5:30p.m

There will be hundreds of items to bid on including art/craft work, gift baskets, gift certificates, sporting goods, memorabilia, and jewelry. All items are donated by local businesses and citizens. The proceeds of the auctions will go to underwrite the expenses of family-oriented community events held in Downtown Oneonta. These include Family Festivals, parades, sidewalk sales, sponsorship of the gingerbread house contest, and support for all of the other holiday events held in Downtown Oneonta.

This year’s auctions will include complementary food and a cash bar. New this year Ultimate Idol Performances at 5pm and at the close of the auction, be sure to join us on October 23^rd at 5pm in the Atrium of the Foothills Performing Arts Center for all the fun!

For more information please contact Main Street Oneonta at 434-6755 or mainstreetoneonta@hotmail.com or visit www.mainstreetoneonta.com.

Owen McCabe of Worcester earns 1st Degree Black belt

On September 24, 2009, Taekwon-Do International recognized 14 year old Worcester resident Owen McCabe as a certified black belt. Having trained diligently since March of 2006, Owen was invited to test by Oneonta Taekwon-Do instructor Ray Mannion. In addition to his training in Oneonta, he attended camps and seminars under Grandmaster Suk Jun Kim, a 9th degree black belt and founder of Taekwon-Do International.

For promotion to black belt, Owen was required to run 2 miles, demonstrate complex kicking combinations, perform several patterns, compete in 2 rounds of contact sparring, demonstrate 3 board breaking techniques, and complete a written and oral examination. In addition to physical requirements, students are required to explain historical and philosophical concepts related to their training. These include the tenets of Taekwon-Do which are Courtesy, Integrity, Perseverance, Self-control, and Indomitable spirit.

For his board breaking requirement, Owen chose to break 3 boards with a spinning back kick, 2 boards with a reverse punch, and a jumping front kick to break one board suspended 7 feet off the floor.

“Taekwon-Do training develops a great deal of power in the practitioner and this manifests itself physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. You can’t break 3 boards just because you have big muscles. It requires accuracy, speed, and knowledge that only come through disciplined training”, said Mr. Mannion. “Promotion tests are a unique experience. Our students share a special bond. We train together, we support each other, and we earn a great deal of respect from our classmates. It’s something nobody can take away from us. Seeing a fellow student earn a new belt is almost as fun as earning one yourself.”

Owen owes a great deal of gratitude to the support of his brothers Guaire and Cael and especially his parents Tom and Priscilla. Travelling to Oneonta 3 times per week consumes a large amount of gas and limits time for other commitments.

As a registered black belt in Taekwon-Do International, Owen carries an identification card and certificate with worldwide recognition. Wherever life may take him, there will surely be a Taekwon-Do school close by that will honor his achievement and welcome him among their ranks.

“Black belt is just the beginning actually,” said Mr. Mannion, a 3rd degree black belt. “It means he has developed the skills he needs to begin learning mastery. I’m sure Owen will be happy to start the next phase of his training and I hope it remains a lifelong pursuit.”
Pictures and video available at http://oneontatkd.com