Putting the record straight

Anyone who has achieved the rank of 4th degree in the ITF knows that a thesis must also be submitted.

There are many subjects to consider for this thesis, and there are many I have considered. Nutrition for Taekwon-Do, Taekwon-Do and children, Ho Sin Sul (self defence). However there is one subject that has really inspired me over the last twelve months or so. The history of Taekwon-Do in Ireland. I spent some time with Aidan Walsh in Slovenia last year, during which I got a real chance to encounter living Taekwon-Do history. I wanted to know more.

It's probably a subject that's been done to death by many other 4th degrees gone before me. However, I want mine to be different. I want it to be comprehensive, complete so to speak. There is only one way to achieve that, and that's to go to the source of Taekwon-Do in Ireland. The originals, the pioneers.

It causes me to make a crumpled face sometimes when I see some instructors re-write the history of Taekwon-Do to suit their own agenda. The word 'Pioneer' is indeed a hackneyed word in Irish TKD circles.

Maybe the word is misunderstood? Let us see. Pioneer: To open up an area or prepare a way; initiate: take the lead or initiative in; participate in the development of - courtesy of dictionary.com.

There can be no dispute and no misunderstanding. Lately I came across some face crumpling information on the world wide web, apparently there are more Irish 'pioneers' than we original anticipated. My face is crumpling again. I must stop reading nonsense!

Anyone who knows me, knows I'm a student of history and someone who relies on fact over fiction. Armed with this sense of keeping the record straight I set about making contact with the real deal. The original ITF Taekwon-D0 pioneers.

I was delighted to receive an email in response to my request.

Senior Master Robert Howard 8th degree has agreed to an interview. President of the RITA since it's foundation in 1972 and a Taekwon-Do student since 1968. I was honoured to be accepted into this mans company.

My thesis will then, hopefully, get a special audience with Mr Aidan Walsh, also one of the original pioneers and then Master Liam Dandy, the man who made initial contact with GM Rhee Ki Ha. I've yet to contact Master Dandy, but I have a number there somewhere from yester -year

Who knows where I'll end up! I know for sure however, that this thesis will be the most comprehensive to date. I will make it so. It's not about cobbling together a few words and sending it to an office where it might not even get read, it's about putting the history down for all to see, putting the record straight if I may.

I'll keep you all posted as this intrepid journey from 1968 to 2009 unfolds.

Pic: Aidan Walsh, Brendan Roche, Robert Howard, Liam Dandy and Tony Phelan.