September 2010 - IL SHIM

Senior Black Belt Grading 2010 – Paul Harper

Sunday morning came around far too quickly and all participants were a little tired and sore. The biggest issue though was keeping the mind on the job at hand. Thanks to a well timed chat with Ken Harris (Thanks Ken!), the mind refocussed and finished off the Third and Fourth degree patterns.
We then followed up with step sparring performed in slow and fast motion. This tested the hamstring but it held up ok.

This was then followed by breaking which I really enjoyed, particularly the speed punch which I hadn’t performed before.
We then finished off with a fitness test with all of us rotating through various stations hitting targets with different techniques. At the end all I could remember was push ups! Sit ups! Push ups!

With that finished it was time to find out or results. I passed! The hard work paid off!

I’d like to thank Master Daher for his support and guidance, over this journey. I’d also like to thank my family and in particular my wife Michelle who
has been a great support to me in the preparation for this grading. Thank you!

Paul Harper (5th Degree)

28 September, 2010/0 Comments/by Shawn Sutton

2nd ITF TaeKwon-Do National Championships

Past Events

2nd ITF TaeKwon-Do National Championships

On the weekend of the 28th and 29th of August we ventured down to Hobart, Tasmania for the 2nd ITF TaeKwon-Do National Championships. In addition to the normal championships selection into the Australian Team for the XVII Senior ITF World Championships and XI Junior ITF World Championships was on the line.

The championships were hosted by Southern ITF with Sabum Steve Weston VIth Degree at the helm. The tournament was very well run and organised with the draw for all divisions available well before the weekend. Catering at the venue was first class.

Il Shim were ably represented with the following Instructors and Students making the trip:

Nathan Tyson
Marlee Tyson
Michael Jasser
Alan Azad
Michelle Harper
Simon Batterham
Courtney Batterham
Frans Christensen
Paul Harper
Gerard Kelly
Charlie Van Beelen
Cecilia Love
Trent Hayden
Rick Scholes
Johnny Bowman

Phillip Anstee

Overall Il Shim took home 14 medals (Gold 8, Silver 4 & Bronze 2) with the following Il Shim people being offered a place on the National Team.
Trent Hayden
Rick Scholes
Michelle Harper
Gerard Kelly
Charlie Van Beelen
Michael Jasser
Alan Azad
Marlee Tyson

Il Shim also won Silver medals for Team Sparring and Pre-arranged Free Sparring. Congratulations on Trent Hayden being awarded best overall Junior Male.All in all it was a very succesful National Championship and we are now looking forward to preparing the team for Wellington next year.

Yours in TaeKwon-Do,

Paul Harper

Result Details

*Name*	*Event*	*Place*
Trent Hayden	1^st Place – Junior male 1st dan patterns	1st
Trent Hayden	1^st Place – Junior male BB specials	1st
Trent Hayden	Junior male hyperweight BB sparring	1st
Rick Scholes	1st Senior Male Black Belt Specials	1st
Rick Scholes	Senior male heavyweight BB sparring	1st
Michelle Harper	1^st Senior female 1st dan patterns	1st
Charles Van Beelen	1st Senior male BB power	1st
Cecilia Love	Junior female heavyweight BB sparring	1st
Simon Batterham	2^nd Senior male 1st/2nd dan patterns	2nd
Alan Azad	2^nd Junior male 1st dan patterns	2nd
Phillip Anstee	Senior male BB power	2nd
Michael Jasser	Senior male middleweight BB sparring	2nd
Johnny Bowman	Senior Male Hyperweight BB sparring	3rd
Gerard Kelly	3rd Senior Male 4th dan patterns	3rd
Best overall Junior Male		Trent Hayden
Team Sparring		2nd
Pre-arranged Free Sparring		2nd

26 September, 2010/0 Comments/by Shawn Sutton

2010 Senior Black Belt Grading Day 1

Past Events

Colour belt patterns were displayed by Master Daher covering the most common mistakes made in all patterns relating to technique, the science behind the techniques were explained to help the participants understand what a technique is for, and why it is done a certain way. This led to a lot of clarification questions being asked as they tried to relate what they have learnt in the past, to the instruction they were being given by Master Daher. The importance of this understanding is critical at the higher level of black belts. Self defence techniques were worked into each pattern to show practical application (and save time going over them later). All of this was achieved in the first 2 hours up to Toi-Gye

After the lunch break, we continued where we left off with Hwa-Rang, then moved onto Choong-Moo to complete the coloured belt patterns practical session. Next came the theory questions in relation to colour belt patterns with a quick fire question and answer session.

We then moved onto the 1^st Degree patterns covering Po-Eun, Kwan-Gae, and Gae-Bek. This was also seen as a timely point to cover the requirement to be flexible to enable the movements of the pattern to be performed correctly, Master Daher advised on a basic stretching regime to help improve on the degree and range of motion for the attendees.

Please click here to view photos of day 1 on our Facebook page

25 September, 2010/0 Comments/by Shawn Sutton

2010 Senior Black Belt Grading Day 2

Past Events

It was a fantastic display of commitment and determination showing that our team of Senior Black Belts are more than worthy of their grades as they executed their movements crisp and cleanly.

A fast and furious board breaking display took place next, with wood splinters flying everywhere, we were left picking up the pieces.

The fitness test is the what everyone was dreading. With the circuit setup and the target holders ready, the test began. Targets were held by assisting members meaning there was no rest for participants. Intensity was high as expected with many gasping for air by the half way point. From where I was sitting it seemed that not knowing what was coming next was what they feared the most.

When Master Daher signalled the end, a huge sigh of relief came over them and it was time to relax and enjoy the photos and presentations that concluded this annual event.

Congratulations to the following candidates who passed their grading:

Mr Paul Harper promoted to 5th Degree,
Mr Frans Christensen promoted to 5th Degree,
Mr John Dwight promoted to 3rd Degree,
Mr Nathan Tyson promoted to 2nd Degree,
Mr Steve Harper promoted to 2nd Degree,
Mr Trent Hayden Promoted to 2nd Degree,
Mr John Lane promoted to 1st Degree

Tae kwon all!!

View the Day 1 report here

Please click here to view photos of day 2 on our Facebook page

25 September, 2010/0 Comments/by Shawn Sutton

Instructor Profile Frans Christensen – Aberdeen

Instructors

PROFILE

NAME: Frans Christensen, 5th Degree

LOCATION: Aberdeen, NSW

Frans

BRIEF HISTORY:

Frans started Taekwon-do training in 1985 with Peter Spokes, and three years later received his Black Belt. He stopped training for an extended period of time due to work commitments and his instructor suffering a chronic injury.

Frans started instructing for Ilshim International TKD when he opened a club in Aberdeen in October 1997.

As a competitor, Frans competed in his first tournament the following year in Bundaberg and won the heavyweight division. That same year he hosted the Upper Hunter championship in Muswellbrook, and has hosted a number of other tournaments over the subsequent years.

In October 2000 Frans represented Australia in Japan (First Asia Championships) and won a Bronze medal.

In 2002, he won the heavyweight division of the New Zealand Open Championships, known as the Epson Cup.

In 2003, Frans was selected to represent Australia at the ITF World Championships held in Poland.

In 2004 Frans was invited to coach the junior team for the ITF Junior World Championships held in Italy.

In 2005 Frans was selected to represent Australia at the ITF World Championships held in Dortmund Germany, but unfortunately he was unable to attend this event.

In 2007 Frans was promoted to the Head Coaches position for the Australian team for the ITF World Championships held in Canada.

He has since retained the Head Coaches position for the 2009 World Championships in Argentina, and the 2011 World Championships to be held in Wellington (New Zealand).

In 2010 Frans was appointed as Tournament Director for Ilshim International TKD.

He was also promoted to 5^th Dan Blackbelt in Aug 2010.

With all of his personal achievements, Frans’ greatest achievements and rewards have come from his ability to train his students to the highest levels of Martial Arts excellence and through him, many of these students have gone on to represent Australia on the National and World Stage.

In his time as a Taekwon-do Instructor at Aberdeen, Frans has had a significant number of individual students who have represented Australia at World Championship level, with some representing on a number of occasions. Many of his current and former students hold multiple National and International titles.

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19 September, 2010/0 Comments/by Shawn Sutton

Instructor Profile Paul Harper – Melbourne

Instructors

PROFILE

NAME: Paul Harper, 5th Degree

LOCATION: The Basin, Melbourne

Brief History:

I began training in 1985 when I was 12 years of age at a local Taekwon-Do school. To start with the school was small, and at times I was the only student, which was great for me!

My first gradings were under Master Yun. By the time I reached red belt Master Yun had left ITF and as my instructor was a second degree meaning he was unable to grade me to first degree. This was when I first met Master Daher. At the time he was a Fourth Degree and I traveled to Ballarat to do a seminar with him before traveling back three months later to grade under him. I was 16 at the time. I did well at my grading but Master Daher told me to put on weight and cut my hair as I had long hair at the time and was very skinny!

I trained for another 2 years with Knox Taekwon-Do before the school closed. Over the next 7 years I tried to find an ITF school in the Eastern suburbs of Melbourne but had no luck, so I dabbled with Kickboxing and Karate a little. When I was 25 I learned of a club at Mt Waverley and ventured over to check it out. The instructor said that they were having a grading the coming weekend and that I should come down and watch. I turned up at the grading and walked in the room and to my surprise the examiner was Master Daher! He recognized me straight away. I then began Instructing at the Mt Waverley club, and a short time later I graded for 2^nd Degree under Master Daher.

In March, 2004 I graded to Third Degree and in December, 2006 I graded to 4^th Degree. Some highlights along the way have been grading trips with Master Daher, traveling to the World Championships in Germany in 2005, and Canada in 2007 as part of the National team.

A large part of my family does TaeKwon-Do with me which is fantastic. I love being able to train with my wife and two sons. I can’t wait for my little kids to be old enough to train alongside all of us.

Master Daher has had an enormous influence on my life and I thank him for his guidance, assistance, support and friendship over the last 20 years.

Paul Harper

18 September, 2010/by Shawn Sutton

Stawell Grading and Masterclass Report – Sept 2010

Stawell

Master Daher conducted the Master Class before the grading and introduced himself to the not only the students but also the many spectators as well. After his brief introduction highlighting Master Daher’s experience and outlook on Martial Arts the class got down to business. Master Daher quickly established a rapport with the students and their nerves calmed. One of the highlights of the Masterclass was Master Daher teaching the white belts Chon-Ji in 10 minutes! Many of the students were invited onto the floor in pairs and individually to perform a pattern they had only briefly seen performed by the more senior students of the class. Each student, under the tuition of Master Daher, performed very well with the whole hall looking on. This would have to be the fastest ever lesson in how to perform our first pattern and the students performed it so well the senior belts were left wondering what the secret was! The Masterclass ran through many of the fundamental techniques of Taekwon-Do and was extremely successful.

Grading Report

The Masterclass had eased some of the nerves of the students, however, Mr Harper was remained nervous, wondering how his club would perform. All of the students performed extremely well with everyone passing.

Eleven students were graded from white belt to yellow tip. With eight students grading to yellow tip and the three younger members of the class grading to W/S. All of the students were presented with their certificate and promoted to their next belt by Master Daher on the day. There were many smiling, relieved students after the grading, not to mention Mr Harper!

The Stawell students and Mr Harper look forward to Master Daher’s return for our next grading in December.

Comments:

Emily (8 years of age) – I think it was fun and the teacher was interesting.

Austin (10 years of age) – I am very proud of myself for grading to yellow tip. I really enjoyed the whole experience.

Koedy (14 years of age)– I was hard but worth it.

Tom (14 years of age) – It was different but fun to get yellow tip

Cory (13 years of age) – It was fun but hard at the same time

Darren – Learnt a great deal of information. Thank you for the opportunity

Sharon – Great experience, encourage more in Stawell. Thanks, Sir.

Graham – Inspirational – just great. Worth all the time spent.

17 September, 2010/0 Comments/by Shawn Sutton

Aberdeen Grading September 2010

Aberdeen

Other members of the class who were grading for colour belts were also put through a rigorous assessment in front of a panel of senior Black belts.

Afterwards Master Daher took time to explain to the class that in order to achieve a promotion, all of the students must expect to be scrutinised much more closely on their technique and effort, not only at grading but also in their normal class training, as they continued to progress through the ranks to the more senior belt levels.

Congratulations to new Black belt students: Johnny Bowman, Cecilia Love and Braiden Lewis.

15 September, 2010/0 Comments/by Shawn Sutton

Instructor Profile Charles Van Beelen – Sunshine Coast

Instructors

PROFILE

NAME: Charles Van Beelen, 4th Degree

LOCATION: Sunshine Coast, QLD

AGE: 55

RANK: 4^th Dan

TRAINING: Started training in 1996

ACHIEVEMENTS: Competed in Five World Championships.

BEST RESULTS:

BRONZE MEDAL IN INDIVIDUAL POWER BREAKING, NEW ZEALAND 2011

BRONZE IN TEAM POWER BREAKING, NEW ZEALAND 2011.

BRONZE IN TEAM POWER BREAKING IN CANADA 2007

MY MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT? Standing on the podium in New Zealand receiving my Bronze medal.

How did I get started? My son wanted to try Taekwon-do after seeing an advertisement in the local paper. We went along to watch and he was soon training two days a week. I would take him to training and would sit on the side to watch. After a few months, the instructor coxed me on the floor, just to have a bit of fun with the kids. I soon found myself grading to yellow belt, but told myself I would never grade too much further than that. It has now been fourteen years and I have now graded to 4^th Dan.

I started Power Breaking from about Green belt, and loved it from the start. (I think it must be a guy thing). I found I had a “nack” for it, plus a great instructor, but never thought I would be at the level of World Champs. Just goes to show anyone can achieve anything if they put their mind to it. There is one more goal for me to get, hopefully that will be done at the 2011 New Zealand World Champs.

y.

15 September, 2010/0 Comments/by Shawn Sutton

Instructor Profile John Abdallah – Gold Coast

Instructors

PROFILE

NAME: John Abdallah, 3rd Degree

LOCATION: Gold Coast, QLD

John_Profile

BRIEF HISTORY:

It all started when my brother talked me into Taekwon-Do training at the age of 21, just to add to the many number of sports that I was already involved in. It was 1989 and the Club was just starting up at the Newport Surf Club Sydney NSW. It had only 5 members, which quickly grew to a constant 15 training. This is when I fell in love with the sport. I reached Green belt before the Club went through a few changes and numbers slowly dropped. This is when I first met Master Daher as he offered to take over the Club. Impressed with what I saw, I knew then, this is where I wanted to be.

The Clubs numbers dropped to only my brother and I so we then decided it was time to join Master Daher’s own Club at Hornsby. The discipline, respect and intense training taught me many great things and allowed me to develop a number of skills. Little did I know back then, I was being taught by one of the best instructors Australia had to offer. My commitment to the art quickly grew with my brother and I constantly competing to be better than each other, this helped to develop our skills and passion for TKD even more. I would travel 30mins to attend his classes and I did that 4 times a week, very rarely missing a class. Even when he moved the Club a further 20mins away to Parramatta, he still couldn’t get rid of me.

I trained with the Australian team for two world championships and as a red belt I was gaining a lot of respect with the team. My brother and I attended every tournament that was held when we were coloured belts and either one of us would always take out the first place trophy. In 1993 I attained my 1^st degree black belt over a gruelling 1 and a half day grading of patterns, technique, sparing, theory and breaking boards and roof tiles. I continued my training and assisting Master Daher with the running of the Club for quite a few years after, never tiring from the enjoyment that I would get from training.

I moved to the Gold Coast in 2002 where I was involved in starting a Club that Master Daher volunteered me for, which I eventually took over and with the help of Michelle Riesser-Keenan, we are striving to have the best Club within the organisation. I graded to my 2^nd degree in 2006 and my 3^rd degree in 2009. I have moved to a more senior position within the IL Shim organisation working closely together with not only my instructor but a great friend Master Daher.

BEST MOMENT:

Travelling with Master Daher on a 7 day grading and seminar trip, throughout Queensland as a red belt. If you ever get the chance to do something like that, you will learn so much and have a great time.

John Abdallah

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14 September, 2010/0 Comments/by Shawn Sutton