April 2011 - IL SHIM

Gold Coast Master Class April 2011 – Sparring – Michael Young

Master Class April 2011 – Sparring

Master Classes have become a regular event in the Il Shim Organisation, and seeing Master Daher 8^th Dan, at the front of the class so often shows how much dedication and commitment he has. Being a part of these classes is always inspirational as it’s not often you get the tutorage of someone that can pull the front splits at anytime even without warming up first.

The subject this time was sparring, in particular speed. Of course we all know that in a sparring situation it is the faster one that gets the point. This is achieved by foot placement and taking the least number of steps possible. It’s quite often you see lower belts at tournaments bounding around the ring slightly out of rhythm with their bodies awkwardly throwing kicks and punches at what seems to be random targets in front of them. This is contrasted by the senior belts that seem to calculate that next move taking careful steps, putting themselves in the right positions to execute the next point scoring move. It’s one thing knowing this in your mind but can your body follow suit? That was the point that Master Daher was trying to brand into us, it’s all about muscle memory. If your body knows what to do that’s one less thing you have to think about.

The 2^nd half of the Session comprised of the April grading. This time 2 of the Students Justin Cernoy and Sebastian De Vianna were being graded for their 1^st degrees. From the black belts point of view it should have been an entertaining to watch, But Master Daher then requested that all black belts were to participate as well. At first our hearts sank a little at the thought of being put through a grading situation without any notice, but in hindsight it was a good thing…. who wants to be an incompetent black belt?

All in all the April master class was a success and hopefully we all took something with which we can better ourselves, I know I did.

Key Highlights of the Day:

Congratulations to Justin and Sebastian our new 1st Dans; welcome to the club!
Special mention goes to Sarah Brereton who achieved a double grading from 9^th to 7^th gup. Awesome effort!
Last but not least, congratulations to all the other students who were promoted to their next rank. Well done Guys! Bring on the next one!

Check out the photo’s here

Michael Young – 1^st Dan

Il Shim Gold Coast

30 April, 2011/0 Comments/by Shawn Sutton

Sunshine Coast Master Class and Grading Report

Sunshine Coast

Sunshine coast master class and grading report from Gerard Kelly After an informative trip from the Brisbane airport and an informal meeting with another master, Master Daher and I arrived at the Nambour pcyc to commence the master class and grading. Tonight’s class was going to be aimed at sparring!!! Straight into it we got and the drills were as usual fantastic, keeping the participants light on their feet and their brains working hard.

Avoidance was the key for the first drill and everything went on from there. Stepping and countering were also covered in detail. As we have had an influx of new students there were quite a few heads reeling with the speed and efficiency of Master Daher’s teachings but they handled it quite well. Master Daher emphasised the importance of focus and used my favourite game of make the other person smile!!! After a few laughing fits most of the students got it and soon everyone was focused on the job at hand. I never tire of watching Master Daher teach and I always come away with some new drills to hammer into my students!

All too soon, however it was time for the grading. It’s funny, this was one of the first gradings where I was not very nervous for my students, and the reason why is that I took Master Daher’s lessons on board about stances and ran with it. We have been working very hard drumming the importance of stances into the students and the results spoke for themselves!

Master Daher was very pleased saying it was an 85% on the last grading so keep it up! Very proud instructor! All in all it was a very productive grading and time with my master and I can’t wait for the next valuable time I get to spend with him!

Thankyou sir for your tireless dedication to our club!

Taekwon

Gerard Kelly, IV Dan

Il Shim Sunshine Coast

Il Shim Umpiring Manager

25 April, 2011/0 Comments/by Shawn Sutton

Report on the Bundaberg and Miriam Vale/Agnes Water Master Class.

Bundaberg

Report on the Bundaberg and Miriam Vale/Agnes Water Master Class.

Well what a perfect start to the weekend. Woke up to find it was not raining, there was a gentle breeze and pleasant conditions for a change. The day started with Master Daher arriving at the airport not knowing if he was being picked up (in his words) “a truck or a tractor”… Sorry Sir the John Deere was in for a service.

For some students it was their first taste of tournament sparing.

Master Daher outlined 6 techniques in total.

The first sequence Master Daher demonstrated the opponent coming forward with a sliding/stepping side kick. You would, instead of moving backwards, step to the side with the back foot executing a front leg side piercing kick. It wasn’t until about half way through the demonstration that the assistant (“Guinea Pig”) Mr Lane realised, after Sir’s kicks getting harder, that when demonstrating with the master you don’t actually touch. Nice one John.

The second attack of the day was very similar except for instead of stepping across with the back leg we stepped across with our front foot and counter attacked with a rear foot turning kick.

The Third of the program was similar again but this time the counter attack or reaction was to jump forward and slightly to the side with a jumping double punch. This particular technique I felt I struggled with which I think I can only put down to not being flexible enough.

The next combination, which is probably my one of my favourites, was the opponent coming forward with a rear foot turning kick and we would react with a jumping back kick. This was also the same counter attack used should the opponent follow on with a jumping double punch except the defender steps back with the front leg for the first attack (Turning Kick) and then when the opponent continues with a jumping double punch you step back with the now front leg executing a jumping back kick as foot moves back and touches the ground. Another variation to this is as your opponent continues to approach with a jumping double punch you actually jump first and complete your double punch before you opponent commencing their jumping punches.

Students were then given the opportunities to incorporate these techniques into their own style of sparing and it was very interesting to see how these were then implemented.

Master Daher then conducted the grading and finished the day with a quick demonstration on where and why students where struggling with their jumping kicks and in particular their jumping back kick. It was demonstrated as to why the lack of height and momentum was cause. In most cases this was because the non kicking leg was left dangling under the body. Where as if they were bring this leg up to tuck the foot under the backside with the knee as high as possible, this would assist them with height and assist with the time in the air (Hang Time as I call it).

Gradings were different this time round and I think caught some off guard. Grading started with the senior belts first and included the assistant instructors on the floor and as Master Daher pointed out we ALL have to work on our training in some form. It was then back to the White Belts and then worked up the ranks. It was great to see the effort put in by the majority of the student and there were some outstanding results and unfortunately there will also be some disappointed students.

Results for the Bundaberg Club were as follows

Benjamin Pratt White Belt Promoted to White Belt Yellow Stripe

Peter Wein White Belt Promoted to 9^th Kup

Stefania Barbera White Belt Yellow Stripe Promoted to Yellow Belt White Stripe

Janine Mewburn 9^th Kup Promoted to 8^th Kup

Alexandria Barbera 8^th Kup Promoted to 7^th Kup

Perry Nixon 8^th Kup Promoted to 7^th Kup

Alicia Lane 8^th Kup Promoted to 2^nd Kup

A special mention should also go to

Chelsea Barbera White Belt Yellow Stripe Promoted to 8^th Kup

Steffani O’Rreal-Avery White Belt Yellow Stripe Promoted to 8^th Kup

Hayden McGaw White Belt Promoted to 8^th Kup

Well done guys on you double promotion.

I think from the improvement that I saw during the course of the day there will be some serious contenders at the Sunshine Coast Cup and quite possibly 2013 selections.

LOOK OUT GUYS WE’RE COMING…………..

25 April, 2011/0 Comments/by Shawn Sutton

Melbourne Master Class and Grading – April 2011

Melbourne

On Sunday, 3rd of April, Il Shim Melbourne hosted Master Daher for it’s first Masterclass and Grading for 2011. Also in attendance was Il Shim Latrobe Valley. A big thank you to Mr Proctor and his students for making the trip up to Melbourne.

The day started with Master Daher demonstrating sparring techniques and drills for the students. We practiced the concepts of moving and counter attacking rather than waiting to counter attack after blocking. The students enjoyed practising their new sparring methods against different opponents. Following the sparring drills we moved on to refine the self defence techniques we had learnt in our last Masterclass. Having practiced these techniques since last year, everyone still learnt even more in refining their technique.

Once the Masterclass was finished the grading began. We had two students pre-testing for their 1st Degree gradings later this year. Both candidates did well and can now work on specific areas in preparation for their big gradings later this year. All students passed but more focus is needed on their walking stances. A special mention to Sam Sankey who achieved the rare feat of a double promotion from 9th Kup to 7th Kup. Congratulations to all participants!

Check out the photos here

13 April, 2011/0 Comments/by Shawn Sutton

2011 World Championship Results

Event Results

Placings for Australian Competitors after day 3 – check our Facebook page for updates and photos

Official results and Medal Table are available here

Female Junior Patterns 3rd Dan

3^rd Indija Anderson

3^rd Bianca Bin

Female Junior Sparring Middle over 50kg to 55kg

3^rd Samantha Faddoul

Male Junior Special Technique

3^rd Trent Hayden

Female Junior Power Breaking

3^rd Indija Anderson

Male Senior Power Breaking

3^rd Charles van Beelen

Female Junior Team Pattern

3rd Place

Gabrielle Anastasio
Indija Anderson
Kiara Bin
Bianca Bin
Stephanie Bracks
Marlee Tyson

Female Junior Team Power Breaking

3rd Place

Indija Anderson
Kiara Bin
Bianca Bin
Stephanie Bracks

Female Junior Team Special Technique

3rd Place

Gabrielle Anastasio
Indija Anderson
Kiara Bin
Bianca Bin

Male Senior Team Power Breaking

3rd Place

Philip Anstee
Gerard Kelly
Charles van Beelen
Michael Nguyen
Tony Nguyen
Michael McPherson

6 April, 2011/0 Comments/by Shawn Sutton

Stawell Master Class April 2011

Stawell

On Saturday the 2^nd of April, Master Daher and Mr Paul Harper travelled to Stawell to run our first grading and masterclass for 2011. For many of the students it was their first time meeting Master Daher.

The masterclass commenced with a focus on the self defence techniques Master Daher had showed us at the masterclass in December, 2010. We had been practising them during class but Master Daher wanted to teach us the fine detail of the movements. We practised No.1 – release from an arm grab, No.2 release from arm grab with wrist control and No.3 release from someone grabbing the clothing at the elbow and control. The students picked up the finer details of the movements very well and we will certainly be incorporating these movements into our syllabus.

The second half of our masterclass concentrated on fundamental movements. Master Daher had the class run through some basic fundamental movements and quickly analysed and diagnosed problems with the class. We started at the beginning with the stable rock of our art, our stances.

We first worked on the length of our walking stances, which for many of our students starting out is a real problem. Master Daher taught us that walking stance is natural, that we shouldn’t force our bodies to do anything out of the ordinary and that the only difference between walking in the street and our walking stance is the length. We bring our balance to our centre line in both instances but stride longer in walking stance. We then used the lines painted in our gymnasium to guide us in our width of stance and where to place our feet for a correct walking stance. The class then walked up and down the hall trying to perfect the one shoulder width and one and a half shoulder width in length stance that is our walking stance.

We then practised our L-stance with a firm focus on the weight distribution of 70% back and 30% front. The correct length of our L stance is one shoulder width from the outside of the rear foot (the footsword) to the toes of the front foot. The correct width for L-stance is 2.5 cm between the heel of the front foot and the rear heel. Both feet are pointed 15 degrees inward. We also practised moving in our walking stance using the lines as our centre of gravity. The lines were an excellent aid in trying to perfect our stances.

The grading then commenced with all students working hard to pass. All students did very well. As always there are many things to work on after a grading and we will be working very hard to correct their techniques.

Thank you to Master Daher and Mr Harper for travelling to Stawell, we look forward to seeing you both again for our next grading and Masterclass.

View more photos in our Gallery

4 April, 2011/0 Comments/by Shawn Sutton

Master Class – Aberdeen – March 2011

Aberdeen

Master Class – Aberdeen – March 2011

Aberdeen class members were treated to a very enjoyable day at the Master Class held in March 2011. There was certainly an International flavour to the event with World Championship representative Léonie Therrien-Tremblay from Canada, and Harold Hortig from Germany in attendance as well as special guest (and close friend of Master Daher) Mr Henry Park.

To begin with, Master Daher took the class through a recap of self defence techniques learned at the previous Master Class before handing over to guest Instructor Mr Michael Yasser for a demonstration on rolling, falling and throwing techniques. The class members went through a number of exercises and had a lot of fun. Then Master Daher got everyone to put on their sparring gear. No-one expected what was to come next as Master Daher asked everyone to get on their knees. We all had to spar on hands and knees against either one or two opponents. As the accompanying photos showed, there was no limit to the tricks that some people would resort to in order to gain the upper hand. Next it was on to practicing sparring techniques with some innovative moves on display. After the sparring drills it was time to warm down and stretch, but true to form Master Daher has no end of tricks up his sleeve in his ability to extract maximum pain (and enjoyment) out of his students. At the end of the day a great time was had by all.

View photo’s here

2 April, 2011/0 Comments/by Shawn Sutton