The test and what's next

Jet lag is just about wearing off, wobbly ground syndrome is abiding and reality is kicking back in.
What a great trip, what a great country. Korea is amazing, the people are amazing, the event was amazing. No complaints.

When we arrived on Monday night we crawled into the Ramada hotel after a three hour bus journey from Seoul. Just as we were checking in I saw Master Dalton and Master Maidana in discussions. I went over to say hello. After a few minutes of catch up, Master Dalton asked me if I was ready for the test, I said I was, and so he said "right, half 7 in the morning it is then" and so it was!

I didn't sleep that night at all and at about 5.30am I got up to go over some theory and stretch off, in my head I recapped the patterns. I was operating on adrenalin only as the body was well and truly bunched from the 19 hour journey to the other side of the world.

At 6.45am I headed down to the lobby of the hotel to go over the step sparring, everything was in the head, tired and all as I was, I felt up for it. Ready.
Master Dalton and assistants arrived at 7.30 sharp and we disappeared into the side room of the hotel as the test got underway.

The test was scrutinised by a hotel security guard, North Korean TKD in a South Korean hotel, could he believe his eyes? He was impressed I think!

After the bow in, the patterns were up first. Sam Il; it went well, I felt good, the humidity was great for good warm legs and loose hips. Next Choi Yong; again a good pattern, no wobbles on the hook side kick combination and I was flying. Yoo Sin the same, no problems although the sweat was pumping off me at this stage as the heat set in.

Down through some colour belt patterns, Won Hyo, Yul Gok, Joong Gun and Choong Moo followed by Po Eun and Eui Am. I was saturated and only 30 minutes into the test. Next up was fundamental movements. Master Dalton is a tough examiner, he is well known for it. I wouldn't expect anything less from him. He gave me a number movements incorporating jumping kicks and jumping techniques, my lungs were gasping for real air. I didn't factor in the heat at all and it was getting in on me. I had to suck it up and keep going.

Next up was step sparring which went well, then self defence which never causes me a problem. We did some free sparring and foot sparring, Master Dalton wanted the free sparring fast, without a break. The pain was strong, all I was breathing was warm air!

Next up was the power test. I brought over some good solid Irish wood. I asked Mr Mick Flaherty for some wood a few months back, he doesn't do things by half, the wood he gave me was tough stuff, full of knots, this stuff needed hammering, and it got hammered. The breaks went very well.

First up, two boards front leg turning kick then a speed punch while holding the board and dropping it myself, it broke easy after a good solid bang. Then there was jumping high kick situated about 7 foot in the air and then the jump back kick on two boards. The breaks were challenging and I was happy to break all without much problems.

The theory was to finish. It was tough theory. Apart from the required theory I was asked to explain sine wave and to explain fundamental movements and their relevance to the theory of power and some of the training secrets of Taekwon-Do. In summary, it was all about relaxing the body, using knee spring, having a backward motion, acceleration and concentration. Then there was a quick fire round, or so it felt that way, fast questions fired at me, which leg returns in Toi Gye? What is twin fist downward punch in Korean, which leg returns in Po Eun, Ge Baek, Eui Am, what height is the kick such and such, no problems with any of that.

After the test, I was given the good news. I was delighted. It was a tough test and I was the only one on the floor so every mistake would have been spotted, so the challenge was enjoyable.

I am extremely grateful to Master Dalton for organising this test for me. It's a special one and even more special that it was in Korea. I gave him a good old hug after it, and I meant it. I'll remember this one forever.

So what's next for this blog... what it takes to be a 5th dan?? Na. Time a for a little break I think. Back teaching on Friday. I'm looking forward to seeing the kids again and telling them about the trip. They'll be happy to see the big black stripes on the dobok, they all wished me good luck before I left, I hope they're proud of their 'sir' - I'd love to bring them all to Korea some time for a Taekwon-Do event. I know they would appreciate that.

ITF Taekwon-Do in Korea, on Korean television and on the streets. Only possible in Master Choi's ITF. A wonderful organisation.