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2019 Devil’s Cup = Ataxon Open This competition has traditionally been inspired by the Czech Saint Nicholas tradition. Just as Saint Nicholas is accompanied by devils on his journeys, the Ataxon Open featured devils everywhere—on the medals and even in decorative figures around the venue. This year, our team joined 20 other clubs, bringing the total number of competitors to approximately 250 athletes. Our delegation consisted of coaches Lenka and Kuba V., referee Korty, and competitors Martin, Jáchym, Tomíno, Jirka, Nikola, Barča, and Vincent. Once again, we gained valuable experience, and occasionally a few bumps and bruises. The positive news was that the devils did not take any of our competitors away, and we managed to steal a few medals from them instead: Martin – bronze in patterns and bronze in sparring Jáchym – bronze in sparring Tomíno – silver in sparring Jirka – silver in sparring Author: Radek Seminar and Dan Examinations – Preparation Is Important On Saturday, November 30, a national seminar with Grand Master Hwang and Martin Svitek took place in Brno. Jirka Brož, Tom Růžička, and I attended. We practiced all patterns, strength exercises, and proper posture, with particular emphasis on cervical spine alignment. The following day, December 1, Lucie successfully passed her 1st Dan examination and Patrik achieved his 2nd Dan. They performed their patterns well, defended themselves successfully during sparring, self-defense, and knife-defense sections (Patrik), broke wooden boards in special and power-breaking techniques, and answered theory questions successfully. This time I participated not only as an instructor but also as a candidate. After nearly five years, I once again stood before the ITF examination committee and my instructor, Grand Master Hwang Ho-yong, to test for 6th Dan. The examination was successful. More than six months earlier, Grand Master Hwang had told me that I was ready to attempt the grading when eligible. Preparing for such an examination means learning new techniques, practicing them thoroughly, understanding them, and continuing to refine all other aspects of Taekwon-Do. For me, preparation involves not only personal training—which is often the hardest part—but also attending seminars and training camps whenever possible. I was surprised to discover that over the previous five years I had accumulated 149 hours of seminar training instead of the required minimum of 30 hours. It is not something I consciously track; it is simply part of the application process. I also use training camps hosted by other schools as part of my preparation. Challenging myself physically while meeting friends is hard to beat. Finally, I prepare through training with my own students. Without regular training, none of this would be possible. Our school now has: 1 holder of 6th Dan 6 holders of 2nd Dan 10 holders of 1st Dan A total of 17 black belts. Four are currently inactive, although two continue to promise they will return. I look forward to seeing our black-belt family continue to grow. Who will be next? Author: Radek Czech National Championships 2019 Were Bronze-Colored From November 8–10, the Czech National Championships took place in Nymburk. This event served as a qualifying competition for the upcoming European Championships scheduled to be held in Prague in spring 2020. Unfortunately, none of our athletes managed to secure a gold medal and automatic qualification. Friday’s weigh-ins went smoothly, and everyone successfully made weight for their sparring divisions. Saturday Jáchym and Lucie competed on Saturday. Jáchym faced perhaps the toughest road to a medal. In patterns, he had 49 opponents. After one victory, he was eliminated by a single judge’s flag. Sparring proved equally challenging. He lost a closely contested match against a black belt and narrowly missed the podium. Lucie entered the patterns competition and advanced all the way to the semi-finals, earning a bronze medal. She followed a similar path in sparring, where she faced experienced national team member Jana Kovářová in the semi-final. Lucie executed several excellent techniques, but Jana ultimately prevailed. Nevertheless, another bronze medal was added to our collection. Sunday On Sunday, we competed with three junior boys and one junior girl. The first medal came from Jirka in special techniques. After jump-offs, he secured a bronze medal and came very close to silver. He added another bronze medal in sparring. His tournament ended in the semi-final against long-time rival and Czech national team member Pavelka from Opava. Unfortunately, Niki, Tomíno, and Martin were eliminated in the first rounds of both patterns and sparring. The boys faced national team athletes, making progression significantly more difficult. Author: Radek Autumn Camp in Kostelec nad Orlicí For the second year in a row, we held our autumn training camp in Kostelec nad Orlicí. This time, we stayed from Friday through the public holiday on Monday. Attendance was slightly smaller than the previous year, but we still welcomed 37 participants. The food was once again excellent, and all instructors took turns leading sessions, allowing everyone to experience different coaching styles. The biggest challenge on Friday was not training—it was discovering the Wi-Fi password. Unfortunately, the effort turned out to be meaningless because the Wi-Fi did not work anyway. That left us free to concentrate fully on training. Everyone worked hard throughout the camp, which made it slightly disappointing that only five people passed the pre-grading assessment. However, if everyone continues training at the same pace, many more will qualify next time. Author: Radek Reflections on the Training Camp I am grateful for the opportunity to write a few words about the training camp that took place last weekend. Thank you for allowing me to spend such enjoyable moments with all of you. Apart from a little fatigue and a few bruises, I returned home with countless great memories. Every training session was enriching and became increasingly challenging as tiredness accumulated. Three moments stand out in particular: Kuba K.’s mini circuit workout at the end of a session The floor exercises led by Tom B. The excellent obstacle course created by Kuba V. and Patrik I had not attempted a backward roll since elementary school, so that was certainly a challenge. When I attended my first training session a year ago, I had no idea how much I would enjoy being part of this group. Every training session is enjoyable, and the camps are a wonderful bonus. Taekwon-Do gives me new ways of thinking about myself and continually pushes my personal boundaries. Congratulations to Jirka, Terka, Káťa, Julča, and Zdeněk on their progress. Great job! Author: Markéta Excellent Performances by Our STM Athletes Five of our six Talent Development Centre (STM) athletes attended the Second National STM Meeting in Nymburk on October 19–20. Together with teammates from Brno and Třebíč, they demonstrated what they had learned through their Taekwon-Do training. Their performances were excellent. Jirka won the younger junior patterns final against fellow South Moravian STM athlete Eda and earned a gold medal. In the younger junior girls’ blue-belt patterns division, two South Moravian STM athletes reached the final, one of whom was Niki. She ultimately won silver. Both Jirka and Niki added bronze medals in sparring. Tomíno, our only competing senior junior, won silver in sparring. Had he not been required to fight two consecutive matches, fatigue might not have affected him during the second round of the final, and gold could have been possible. Libor, Jáchym, Jirka, and Niki also represented their teams in the team events and brought home additional medals. As a coach, I was particularly impressed by the younger junior team patterns squad. The team—consisting of athletes from Brno, Třebíč, and Pardubice—created their own choreography and practiced independently on Saturday afternoon. Although they did not reach the podium, they worked extremely hard and delivered a strong performance. Author: Lenka Summer Training Camp – Perhaps for the Last Time Don’t worry—this certainly does not mean it was our last summer training camp ever. We will definitely continue organizing them. However, we may need to find a new location because the guesthouse we have been using is being sold and will likely come under new management. We are genuinely sorry to see it go because we loved the venue. The beautiful landscape of the Železné Hory region provided a fantastic environment, complete with a swimming pool for recovery and a training field with grass cut almost to Wimbledon standards. After spending the year training indoors, practicing on such a surface was a real pleasure. What Did We Train? A major focus of the camp was Yop Chagi (side kick), covering everything from basic mechanics and technical execution to practical applications and sparring. We also worked on examination requirements for all technical grades and self-defense techniques. Each day began with a morning warm-up and a short run. Who Led the Training? Most sessions were led by: Martin Svitek (5th Dan), our guest instructor and friend from Sonkal Prague Radek, head instructor of the school Additional club instructors and coaches Tomáš B., who introduced us to some of his strength-training methods and self-defense concepts Special thanks go to all instructors for their excellent work throughout the camp. What Else Was There? Of course, no summer camp would be complete without: Delicious meals Traditional campfire sausage roasting Swimming and recovery in the pool Grading examinations for several lower-ranked students, all of whom passed successfully In conclusion, I would like to thank everyone for helping create such a wonderful camp. I think we made excellent use of our free time through training, swimming, football, and plenty of laughter. Author: Radek Seminar in Kolín Another seminar in Kolín took place on June 7, 2019, this time led by Ondřej Vrábel (6th Dan). The focus was once again on the correct use of the hips and other parts of the body to generate maximum power in techniques. We first practiced these principles using kicking shields and pads before breaking down individual parts of the movement in greater detail. Besides hand techniques and hip movement, we also worked on several kicking techniques. The seminar concluded with some pattern practice before we headed home. Author: Radek Sonkal Open 2019 – Trial by Fire On May 25, we traveled to Prague in two cars for Sonkal Open 2019, held unusually at the TJ Ruzyně sports facility. Everyone returned home with valuable new experience, thanks largely to the competition format where everyone faced multiple opponents. My main conclusion was that we were able to compete very successfully in sparring, while our performances in patterns still need considerable improvement. Patterns Representing us in patterns were: Bára Mike David (green belts) Marek Nikola (blue belts) Jirka Martin Lucie (red belts) Only Lucie managed to reach the podium, earning a silver medal. The remaining competitors were eliminated during the group stage after accumulating more losses and draws than victories. Sparring Sparring was a completely different story. Nikola competed in her very first tournament sparring division. Due to a merger of three weight categories, she found herself as the lightest athlete in the group. Supposedly sparring was not her favorite discipline—but that certainly was not visible on the mats. She first fought a black-belt Czech national team member and earned a well-deserved draw. Her second match also ended in a draw, enough to secure a silver medal. Gold is certainly within reach in the future. Jirka „Smurf“ also faced a difficult group, including Czech national team member Pavelka from Opava. Jirka won two matches and lost only to Pavelka in a very close contest. His results earned him a chance to fight for bronze, which he won successfully. Martin also excelled in sparring and earned a silver medal. His aggressive attacking style worked well throughout the day, and one opponent was eventually overwhelmed by fatigue. Lucie’s path was slightly easier because one national team athlete withdrew before the event. In the final, she faced an opponent with a similar fighting style. The first round remained extremely close, but after the break Lucie took over and secured victory, earning gold. Marek had perhaps the toughest draw of everyone. He faced two second-degree black belts and another opponent who was a multiple-time junior European Champion and World Championship bronze medalist. Despite this, he fought courageously and earned a bronze medal for his determination and willingness to challenge much more experienced opponents. Author: Radek Czech National Championships in Ostrava The 2019 Czech National Championships were held at the modern athletics arena within the Vítkovice sports complex. A total of 350 competitors from 22 clubs participated, including our athletes from Pardubice. Our four competitors earned three bronze medals, although a little more sporting luck might have brought even greater success. Tomíno narrowly lost in the first round of sparring. The remaining three medalists advanced comfortably to the semi-finals: Jáchym Šubrt Competing in the children’s category, Jáchym fought an excellent semi-final. He matched his opponent throughout the match but ultimately lost momentum near the end, allowing victory to slip away. Nevertheless, he earned a bronze medal. Martin Špaňúr Competing among senior juniors, Martin found an effective strategy toward the end of his semi-final. Unfortunately, there was not enough time to fully reverse the scoreline, and he settled for bronze. Jiří Brož Competing in younger junior sparring, Jirka also earned bronze. His semi-final was a tactical battle between two experienced competitors. The lead changed repeatedly throughout the match, but unfortunately for Jirka the decisive score came only moments before the end, leaving him no time to respond. Author: Radek Seminar with Grand Master Hwang – April 2019 On April 26, 2019, we once again attended a seminar with Grand Master Hwang Ho-yong. Traffic caused some difficulties and we arrived only minutes before the seminar began. Participating from our club were: Radek, Lucie, Martin, Tomíno, Radek H., Patrik The seminar concentrated on improving the use of the body—and especially the hips—in techniques. Grand Master Hwang emphasized that proper hip usage can increase the power of a technique by as much as 30 percent. Because of limited capacity, future seminars would no longer be available to blue belts. Fortunately, only a small number of our blue belts regularly attended, so this was not a major issue for us. Author: Radek Seminar with Grand Master Hwang – March 2019 On March 22, 2019, Martin, Radek H., Patrik, Tomáš Thun Jr., Dan, and I traveled to Kolín for another seminar with Grand Master Hwang Ho-yong. The seminar attracted 42 participants from various nearby schools. We practiced: Fundamental attacking techniques, Defensive techniques, Basic kicking techniques Sparring combinations on pads The final section focused primarily on jumping techniques used in sparring. Author: Radek Coaches’ Training Camp at Lipno From March 8–10, 2019, approximately 70 Taekwon-Do practitioners gathered once again at Hotel Aktiv in Přední Výtoň near Lipno for the annual instructors’ training camp. The purpose was simple: to improve our skills and deepen our understanding of Taekwon-Do. The first part of the weekend was led by Martin “Svíťa” Svitek (5th Dan), an experienced physiotherapist whose sessions are always highly valuable. This year, a major focus was placed on balance and body control. The second half of the camp was devoted to Taekwon-Do theory under the guidance of Grand Master Hwang Ho-yong. Representing Pardubice were myself, Radek Hlavinka, and Patrik Kozel. Because the journey to Lipno is quite long, we left early and arrived comfortably ahead of schedule. After checking in and changing into our training uniforms, we headed straight to the first session. The opening training was intentionally light, focusing on awareness of the supporting leg during kicks, balance, and other often-overlooked aspects of training. After an excellent dinner came the evening social program, including a team quiz and creative club presentations. Our team proudly introduced itself as the best Taekwon-Do club in Eastern Bohemia. The fact that we were also the only club from Eastern Bohemia present was left as a small footnote. Saturday began with a yoga-style warm-up that helped everyone loosen up before breakfast. Afterwards, a group of participants—including Radek—went swimming in the Lipno Reservoir. Patrik and I watched from a safe distance and documented the event. The morning training continued the previous day’s themes and included several exercises testing core strength and stability. Following lunch, we visited the Lipno Hydroelectric Power Plant. What was intended to be a straightforward guided tour turned into quite an adventure. Due to a malfunctioning elevator, our group became effectively trapped underground for more than an hour. Discussions quickly shifted from hydroelectric engineering to theoretical escape plans and emergency survival strategies. Eventually, after various technical difficulties, we were rescued using a freight elevator. What should have been a one-hour excursion lasted nearly three hours. The only downside was missing one of Martin Svitek’s training sessions. After returning, we rushed back to the gym in time for regional television coverage of the event. Since it was Patrik’s birthday, he was also treated to a traditional group birthday toss. The evening program continued with a theoretical seminar led by Grand Master Hwang. His good mood and endless sense of humor made the session highly enjoyable. Following dinner, participants spent the evening singing, playing games, competing in quizzes, and enjoying table football. At one point a power outage interrupted play, but mobile phone flashlights quickly solved the problem. Sunday brought the worst weather of the entire weekend. Nevertheless, Martin remained determined, and we completed our morning warm-up near the reservoir. After breakfast came a three-hour theory session with Grand Master Hwang. His explanations were, as always, accompanied by plenty of humor and memorable stories. The camp concluded after lunch with farewells and the journey home. It was a weekend full of learning, laughter, and unforgettable experiences. Author: Jakub Koutský Grading Examinations and Seminar with Grand Master Hwang On February 26, 2019, our club hosted grading examinations and a seminar led by Grand Master Hwang Ho-yong. The most important news was simple: everyone passed successfully. As always, nervousness was the biggest opponent. Most participants managed to overcome it and perform at their normal training standard. Grand Master Hwang rewarded their efforts with scores typically ranging between 64 and 65 points. A few students still need to improve their ability to perform under pressure so that their examination and competition performances match the quality they show during regular classes. The best performance of the day belonged to Daniel Šulák, who achieved an outstanding average score of 67 points. For his efforts he received a signed book about Grand Master Hwang. Those who know Dan will not be surprised. He invested considerable time into preparation, including training outside regular club sessions, and his dedication paid off when it mattered most. Seminar Immediately after the examinations, Grand Master Hwang conducted a seminar for our students. The seminar focused on the Theory of Power, one of the key principles of ITF Taekwon-Do. The Grand Master reviewed the individual factors contributing to effective technique and explained them through examples he had observed during the examinations. Participants then practiced these principles in pairs, learning how proper body mechanics can significantly improve the effectiveness of their techniques. Hopefully everyone left with valuable insights to apply in future training. Author: Radek Czech ITF Taekwon-Do Federation Cup On Friday, February 15, 2019, our eight-member delegation traveled by train to Brno for the Czech ITF Taekwon-Do Federation Cup. The team consisted of: Jiří “Šmoula” Brož, Tomíno, Martin, Jáchym, Libor Kovář, Bára Šimková, Korty, Coach Lenka The journey itself was memorable, partly because Jirka’s phone stopped working. Strangely enough, this encouraged everyone else to put their phones away, resulting in two hours of conversation and laughter. Registration and weigh-ins went smoothly, leaving plenty of time to meet friends from other clubs. Competition Day Jáchym was first to compete. He finished second in his patterns group and narrowly missed qualification to the final rounds. In sparring, however, he excelled. After three strong matches he earned a silver medal, becoming the only competitor in the category who managed not to lose decisively to the eventual champion. During the morning session: Bára won silver in patterns Libor and Jirka delivered solid performances Nervousness affected some of the less experienced competitors, but valuable experience was gained After lunch, Jirka entered the sparring competition. He won both matches and claimed the gold medal, with only a slight deduction for nearly strangling a Sonkal competitor by accident. Later in the day, Martin and Tomíno competed. Both handled their sparring matches well and successfully performed the required turning kicks, which was noteworthy given the strict standards of the referee. The final match saw Martin and Tomíno face each other. With only eight seconds remaining, Martin still held the lead. Tomíno, however, launched a late comeback and secured victory in the closing moments. Overall, the performances were excellent and, perhaps most importantly, everyone enjoyed themselves. The only significant injury of the entire weekend belonged to me after an unfortunate encounter with a slippery floor. Author: Lenka Seminar with Grand Master Hwang in Kolín On January 25, 2019, several members of our school attended a seminar in Kolín hosted by Grand Master Hwang Ho-yong. Participants included: Radek, Lucie, David, Erik Nearly fifty Taekwon-Do practitioners attended the event. The seminar opened with the presentation of a Dan certificate before moving into detailed instruction on the Theory of Power. Grand Master Hwang once again demonstrated how proper body mechanics influence the effectiveness of techniques. During these demonstrations, I often found myself serving as the volunteer holding pads—and sometimes holding my leg in position for several minutes while techniques were explained. By this point I had become quite experienced at it, although the resulting muscle cramps were memorable. The practical section included: Basic attacking techniques, Blocking techniques, Knife-hand strikes Palm blocks, Basic kicks, The pattern Yul-Gok, Sparring-focused turning kicks on pads The seminar concluded with dynamic kicking drills emphasizing movement both forward and backward during sparring situations. Author: Radek 2018 St. Nicholas Gifts at the Devil’s Cup On December 8, we attended the Devil’s Cup, a tournament that traditionally offers competition opportunities to a wider range of our members. It is suitable for both lower and higher belt grades and provides several important benefits. The round-robin format allows competitors to face every athlete in their group, giving them significantly more matches and valuable experience. For many participants, this single tournament provides as many bouts as they might otherwise have throughout an entire year. Another advantage is the pleasant environment and very friendly atmosphere. Our competitors were: Children: Mike, David, Nikola, Jirka, and Jáchym Juniors: Tomíno and Barča Seniors: Lucie and Marek The team was supported by referees Lenka, Radek H., and Korty, while I served as head coach. The devils did not take any of us away, and since we must have been well-behaved, they rewarded us with a St. Nicholas gift of medals: 2 gold medals 2 silver medals 4 bronze medals Patterns Our youngest green belts gained valuable competition experience, and in some cases the lessons were tough. Hopefully, they learned that consistent training is essential for success. Medals in patterns were earned by: Barča – Bronze Marek – Gold Our blue belts also performed well, finishing second in their groups, although narrowly missing out on medals. Later in the day, Tomíno surprised many by earning a well-deserved bronze medal, while Lucie added another bronze medal in patterns. Sparring Sparring begins at blue-belt level, and this discipline brought us even greater success. Jáchym and Jirka both had four matches. Jirka lost his opening bout, just as he had at the national championships, but this tournament’s format gave him a second chance. He took full advantage of the opportunity, won all his remaining matches, and secured a silver medal. Jáchym, meanwhile, kept winning and ultimately earned the gold medal. Our final medal came later in the evening when Lucie added a silver medal. Tomíno also performed well in sparring, recording one win, one draw, and one loss. Although it was not enough for a medal, he could be proud of his excellent tactical performance in his final match against an opponent known for delivering some very hard punches. This time, the opponent barely managed to touch him. In conclusion, we are not afraid of devils—and we will gladly return to the Devil’s Cup again. Author: Radek National Seminar and Another Second Dan As every year, the national seminar and Dan examinations took place at the beginning of December. Early on Saturday morning, our punctual five-person group—Radek, Radek, Kuba Koutský, Lucie, and myself—wondered whether Korty would make it to the train after being delayed by snowfall. He did, arriving with only seconds to spare. Patrik joined us later in Česká Třebová, completing the group. The morning seminar was led by Grand Master Hwang. Participants worked on fundamental techniques and patterns, all while enjoying official permission to train in shoes because the hall was particularly cold. After lunch, the group split into two sections: One group trained self-defense and knife-defense techniques under Master Zámečník. The other group worked on jumping mechanics and training methods using ladders, obstacles, and resistance bands under Master Kaňka and Ondřej Vrábel. While the higher Dan grades continued later in the afternoon, the rest of us enjoyed free time. Some explored Brno’s Christmas markets, where we happened to see a parade of traditional Austrian Krampus devils with enormous horns and frightening masks. Kuba’s Second Dan Examination Sunday belonged to Kuba Koutský, who was attempting his 2nd Dan examination. The result? Success. Kuba earned an impressive 65 points and successfully achieved his 2nd Dan rank. His patterns looked excellent from the spectator stands. During sparring and step-sparring, he even volunteered to help another candidate who did not have a partner. In the special techniques section, he initially struggled with the dreaded turning kick but eventually completed it successfully and compensated with a strong performance in the remaining techniques. As for theory, let’s just say the question suited him perfectly. Had the examiners not stopped him, he might still be explaining the answer today. Congratulations once again, Kuba! Author: Lenka November Seminar in Kolín On November 23, Lucie, Radek, Patrik, Dan, and I traveled to Kolín for another seminar with Grand Master Hwang. The seminar was dedicated primarily to preparation for the upcoming Dan examinations. Since none of the attendees were actually preparing for Dan tests, participants were divided into smaller groups for individualized training. Blue Belt Group Led by Radka Heydušková: Patterns Power breaking Sparring Red Belt Group Led by Kuba Novotný: Patterns Self-defense Free sparring Black Belt Group Led by myself: 2nd Dan patterns Knife-defense drills Grand Master Hwang supervised all groups, occasionally providing additional explanations and emphasizing key aspects of techniques and patterns. At the end of the seminar, he thanked all instructors for their work. Author: Radek Czech National Championships 2018 From November 9–11, we attended the 2018 Czech National Championships in Brno. Representing our club were: Children: Jáchym Juniors: Jirka, Tomíno, and Martin Seniors: Kuba K. and Lucie After Friday registration and weigh-ins, everyone was relieved to enjoy a proper dinner. Although there was the usual pre-competition tension, there was also plenty of joking and good humor. Saturday The first events were patterns for Jáchym and Jirka. Both competitors fought through part of a field containing 38 athletes and advanced all the way to the quarter-finals. Their performances were excellent and deserved recognition. Unfortunately, Lucie and Kuba did not achieve similar success in patterns. In sparring, only Lucie managed to earn a medal—a bronze. Jirka lost due to a moment of impatience, while both Jáchym and Kuba competed in very balanced matches. Lucie failed to qualify in special techniques but successfully qualified for power breaking and finished in an excellent fourth place. Kuba, meanwhile, did not qualify for the power-breaking competition. Sunday Sunday belonged to Martin and Tomíno. Neither athlete reached the podium in patterns, but both succeeded in sparring. Standing side-by-side on the podium, they each won bronze medals. Both demonstrated strong performances. To climb even higher in the future, they mainly need to continue practicing spinning techniques, while Tomíno would benefit from a little extra conditioning work, as fitness became his toughest opponent in one of the matches. Author: Radek Theory of the Dry Dobok – Seminar with Master Jedut On November 4, 2018, a seminar led by Polish Master Jerzy Jedut (8th Dan) took place in Strančice. I traveled there with Jakub Koutský and Patrik Kozel, leaving early in the morning for what would become a very demanding day. The seminar consisted of two training sessions. Morning Session Training ran from 9:00 a.m. until approximately noon. After an intensive warm-up based on several games, we immediately moved into sparring drills combined with strength and conditioning exercises. We spent nearly two hours continuously alternating between combat-oriented exercises and physical conditioning. This was followed by basic techniques required for 2nd Dan patterns and then the practice of the patterns themselves, which continued for over an hour. By lunchtime, every single one of us had a dobok soaked completely through. During the lunch break, we even discussed the theoretical possibility of reaching such a high body temperature that a dobok could actually dry while being worn. Unfortunately, none of us managed to prove the theory either during the morning or afternoon sessions. Afternoon Session After a brief 50-minute lunch break, the afternoon session began and lasted approximately three and a half hours. Once again, we started with running-based warm-up games before moving into coordination and strength exercises. The next section consisted of repeated kicking drills using paddles, usually performed in groups of two or three. These exercises focused heavily on endurance, and opportunities to rest were rare. We repeatedly heard the phrase: “Last one!” Only to discover that several more rounds were still to come. When everyone was already exhausted, we moved on to practicing the basic techniques required for 3rd Dan and then performed the patterns themselves. Juche and several other advanced patterns proved especially demanding when tired legs could no longer reach their usual kicking height. Just when we thought training was over, another twenty minutes of slow-motion kicks and leg-holding exercises followed. The drive home felt wonderful. Getting out of the car afterwards was considerably less enjoyable. One of Master Jedut’s students is Jaroslav Suska, and this seminar gave us a small glimpse into the level of hard work behind such achievements. Author: Radek Back from the Holidays and Straight into Training Camp For the first time, our autumn training camp was held in Kostelec nad Orlicí, from October 26–28, 2018. A total of 52 participants attended, and I believe everyone enjoyed the event. One major advantage was that the accommodation, sports hall, and dining facilities were all located within the same complex, so nobody had to venture into the cold autumn weather. This camp traditionally serves as preparation for the Czech National Championships and is usually more physically demanding than our summer camps. Training Program The schedule closely followed competitive disciplines and included: Special jumping kicks Patterns Sparring Competition preparation General conditioning Grading examinations were also part of the program. All participants showed improvement, but only seven students qualified for testing, mainly from the lower belt groups. I was deliberately stricter with the higher grades. Hopefully they will continue working hard and next time demonstrate enough quality in their patterns, step sparring, theory, and other requirements that I will have no reason to say no. Many candidates struggled most with newly learned techniques and kicks that had not yet been practiced enough compared to their older, more familiar techniques. A pleasant surprise was the return of “Little Péťa”, who came back after several years away from training. After attending only two regular training sessions, he immediately signed up for the camp. Despite remaining physically active, he admitted that after the camp he discovered muscles he had not felt in years. Author: Radek Only Gold Was Missing – STM Meeting in Nymburk The second STM (Talent Development Centre) meeting of the year took place in Nymburk on October 13–14, 2018. Representing us were: Jáchym Š., Jirka B., Martin Š., Tomáš R. alongside teammates from Brno and Třebíč. Saturday Jirka earned the first medal as a reserve member of the team patterns squad, which won gold. Jáchym then secured an individual bronze medal in sparring after a very close semi-final match. Jirka followed with another excellent performance. Using his experience and tactical awareness, he fought his way to the final and displayed several impressive techniques. Unfortunately, his long-time rival from Opava proved too strong once again, resulting in a silver medal. Jirka later contributed to: A bronze medal in team special techniques A gold medal in team sparring where he played a major role in the team’s success. The day concluded with a presentation and question-and-answer session featuring national team coaches and successful European and World Championship medalists. Sunday Sunday belonged to Martin and Tomáš. Martin reached the semi-finals in patterns and earned bronze. The team also won silver in team patterns. In sparring, Martin fought a very close contest with the lead changing repeatedly, but eventually lost by a narrow margin. Tomáš enjoyed an outstanding tournament, advancing all the way to the final and winning silver. The final medal came in team sparring, where the team earned bronze. Overall, the performances were excellent. The only disappointment was that none of our athletes managed to secure an individual gold medal. Author: Radek Training Sometimes Hurts – Seminar with Grand Master Hwang On October 5, 2018, three different groups from our school met in Kolín for another seminar with Grand Master Hwang Ho-yong. Participants included: Radek and Kuba K. from Pardubice, David from Chrudim, Patrik and Dan from Lanškroun This was the first regional seminar of the new training season. Before training began, I spoke briefly with Radka Heydušková (5th Dan) about recruitment activities. Meanwhile, David was already telling everyone how Kuba had bruised his ribs during sparring the previous evening. Kuba responded that David had been holding a different side of his ribs the day before and was obviously exaggerating. The rivalry appeared far from settled. The Seminar Approximately thirty Taekwon-Do practitioners attended. The focus was entirely on fundamental techniques. Grand Master Hwang provided detailed explanations of proper execution and highlighted the many factors that influence technical quality. Since these are the same techniques we teach to novice students, the information was especially valuable for instructors. During demonstrations of Sonkal Najunde Makgi and Bakat Palmok Najunde Makgi, Grand Master Hwang selected me as his assistant. My task seemed simple: Perform an Ap Chagi kick. Hold the leg in position. In reality, I had to keep it there for roughly five minutes while the Grand Master explained various technical details. The first minute felt manageable. Then came the burning sensation. Then came the shaking. Finally came pain. At one stage the Grand Master discreetly supported my leg to keep it in position while continuing his explanation. Towards the end, I found myself wondering whether I would still be able to walk back to my place in line. What made it worthwhile was seeing the appreciative smiles and nods from the audience, who clearly understood what was happening. Once the explanation finished, I somehow managed to return without falling over. Thankfully, we then spent the remainder of the seminar practicing dynamic kicks such as: Ap Chagi, Yop Chagi, Dollyo Chagi which finally loosened up the protesting muscles. Author: Radek Seminar with a Legend From September 14–16, 2018, the Velešín Taekwon-Do school organized an international seminar in Bad Leonfelden, Austria, featuring a true legend of martial arts: Supreme Grand Master Kim Bok Man (11th Dan), one of the founders of ITF Taekwon-Do and a veteran of the Korean War. Accompanying him was his senior student, Grand Master Brad Shipp (8th Dan), who assisted throughout the training sessions. Grand Master Kim is also the founder of World Chun Kuhn Taekwondo. Our group—Radek, Jakub K., Radek H., and myself—traveled to Austria on Thursday afternoon. The seminar began on Friday morning with around 40 participants, mostly from the Czech Republic. Language barriers were eased thanks to Master Martin Zámečník, who assisted with translation. After an introduction to Grand Master Kim and his system, we began training. It quickly became clear that there were significant differences between our organizations, particularly in stances, kicking mechanics, and preparation movements. The warm-up was led by Grand Master Shipp, who, despite being “only” 41 years old at the time, had already accumulated more than 30 years of training experience. A major emphasis was placed on proper stances, both in fundamental techniques and self-defense applications. The afternoon session focused on self-defense and knife patterns. Since World Chun Kuhn Taekwondo incorporates up to 18 different weapons, weapon-based training is an important part of the curriculum. Both daily training blocks lasted approximately three hours, giving everyone plenty of opportunity to learn. Saturday followed a similar structure. After reviewing previously learned material, most participants visited the Cistercian monastery in Vyšší Brod. The afternoon session was devoted to training with a short stick. Grand Master Shipp demonstrated one of the higher-level stick forms, which looked like something straight out of a martial arts film. The seminar concluded with a formal banquet, presentation of certificates, and a speech by Grand Master Kim, who shared both martial arts wisdom and life advice. The evening continued with open discussion, during which he answered questions ranging from techniques and patterns to his wartime experiences and film-related stories. Sunday was devoted to reviewing everything taught during the seminar. Grand Master Kim spent the final hour discussing his philosophy of martial arts, training methods, and his overall approach to Taekwon-Do. It was a tremendous honor to meet such a legendary figure in martial arts history. Author: Patrik Sports Park Pardubice 2018 From August 11–19, 2018, another edition of Sports Park Pardubice took place at Na Špici Park. As one of the region’s major sports organizations, our club once again participated. We operated our station during the weekend of August 18–19 with the help of numerous instructors and members, including: Radek, Lenka, Radek Jr., Kuba, Jakub, Lucie, Péťa, Denisa, Martin Patrik and Honza from Lanškroun The weather was extremely hot throughout the weekend, with temperatures remaining above 30°C. Children visiting our station had the opportunity to: Fight with foam swords Practice punches and kicks on pads and punching bags Try combinations on equipment Break boards Every participant received a club sticker as a reward. Hundreds of children visited the station over the weekend, ranging from preschoolers to teenagers. Saturday concluded with a group dinner in the city center, followed by a long social evening that became one of the highlights of the weekend. Sunday proved even more exhausting than Saturday due to the relentless heat. Nevertheless, everyone survived and the event was considered a great success. We are already looking forward to the next Sports Park. Author: Korty Summer Training Camp in Horní Bradlo From June 15–17, 2018, our summer training camp took place in Horní Bradlo. A total of 56 participants attended from all of our training groups, including most of our black belts and instructors. Unlike other camps, I use the summer camp to focus on topics that are difficult to cover during regular classes. The main theme this year was self-defense against realistic everyday attacks that might occur outside the training hall. We practiced: Practical applications of techniques from patterns Self-defense responses Real-world scenarios Variations of common attacks Rather than learning many different techniques, we concentrated on repeating a smaller number of applications so they would become natural responses. Several things impressed me greatly during the camp. First, participants of all ages got along remarkably well, even when meeting each other for the first time. Second, the black belts leading training sessions and warm-ups did an outstanding job. Their work was reflected in the noticeable technical improvements achieved by many students over the weekend. The results spoke for themselves: 30 participants successfully passed grading examinations Dan Šulák achieved the highest average score with 67 points The camp also included several popular traditions: Swimming in the cool outdoor pool Campfire sausage roasting Birthday celebrations for Marek and Libor A theory test covering newly learned material Overall, everyone performed very well. Author: Radek STM Meeting in Brno On Saturday morning, two brave members of the Talent Development Centre (STM), Barča Brchelová and Jiří “Šmoula” Brož, met up with me, their driver, and we headed to Brno for the first national STM testing event. After initially arriving at the exhibition grounds instead of the sports hall, Jirka took over navigation duties and successfully guided us to the correct venue on time. Following registration and weigh-ins, we enjoyed lunch at a nearby restaurant before the competition began. Saturday was dedicated to the children’s categories, so Jirka represented the South Moravian STM team. Unfortunately, he could not participate in the team events and competed only individually. In patterns, he performed a strong Yul-Gok pattern and advanced to the next round. Despite another solid performance there, he was eliminated before the medal rounds. His medal would come later in sparring. In his first sparring match, he faced a familiar opponent from Northern Moravia. Jirka delivered a fast-paced match with good movement and several well-planned techniques. Although he lost, he was the only competitor to score multiple points against that opponent and earned a well-deserved bronze medal. After dinner, Barča and Jirka participated in the evening program and completed it in full. Considering the entire afternoon had been spent in a very hot sports hall, that was an impressive achievement. As a coach, I probably benefited even more from the evening program. Under the guidance of Tomáš Novohradský, participants explored a variety of games and exercises focused on developing movement, stability, and coordination using only their bodies and a Taekwon-Do belt. Sunday belonged to the junior divisions and therefore to Barča. Like Jirka, she competed only individually. In her case, there were not enough younger junior girls to form a team. Barča performed an unusually energetic pattern and advanced to the second round. There she again showed excellent energy but made a small mistake that cost her advancement. While waiting for sparring, she also tried special techniques for the first time. In sparring, Barča was defeated by her opponent, marking the end of her tournament. We then enjoyed lunch, said our goodbyes, and began our journey home. I think all three of us were happy to leave the heat of the sports hall for the merely warm comfort of the car, where at least we could open the windows. Author: Lenka Sonkal Open 2018 On May 26, 2018, the traditional Sonkal Open took place in Prague. Our club arrived with a strong delegation of eleven competitors, supported by referees Lenka S., Korty, and Radek H. With nearly 295 competitors participating overall, our athletes certainly did not go unnoticed. We set off early in the morning. Some traveled by car because they needed to attend the weigh-ins, while others came by train. Despite a minor timetable adventure involving Nikola, everyone arrived on time. Children’s Categories The morning belonged to the children’s divisions. Because a new competition system was being tested, the schedule was occasionally chaotic, and Lucie and I worked hard to ensure everyone was in the right place at the right time. Representing us were: David K., Nikola, Jirka, Mike, Libor, Jáchym All performed very well and gained valuable experience. Jáchym won his patterns group but was unable to advance further in the knockout rounds. The first medal challenge came from Jiří Brož. In sparring, he fought his way to the final and earned an excellent silver medal. Juniors and Seniors The afternoon brought the junior and senior divisions, featuring: Barča, Tomáš K., Martin, Lucie, Kuba K. Martin delivered impressive sparring performances against experienced opponents and earned a bronze medal in patterns. Lucie’s gold medal in sparring came after a dramatic final. With only one opponent in her division, the first match was automatically the final. The regular match ended in a draw, the overtime period also ended level, and Lucie finally secured victory with a golden point. I also managed to contribute to the medal tally: Silver in patterns (missing gold by a single judge’s flag) Bronze in sparring Perhaps my greatest personal victory was returning home uninjured for the first time in quite a while. Overall, it was an excellent competition that showed both our strengths and the areas where future training should focus. Author: Kuba Koutský Czech National Championships – KUP Division On May 11, 2018, 331 competitors from 23 schools across the Czech Republic gathered in Nymburk for the Czech National Championships for color belts. The championship replaced the first round of the Federation Cup and once again gave lower-ranked students the opportunity to compete for national titles. Saturday – Silver Day Saturday featured the children’s and senior divisions. Jiří Brož fought his way to the sparring final and earned a silver medal. Jáchym Šubrt achieved the same result in his sparring category, winning another silver medal. Libor Kovář gained valuable competition experience and narrowly missed a medal. The final silver medal of the day came from Denisa Tkáčová in power breaking. After years of success, she was finally defeated—not by a better prepared opponent, but by a few imperfectly executed side kicks. Sunday – Bronze Day Sunday proved to be our bronze-medal day. Martin Špaňúr first earned bronze in patterns and later added another bronze medal in sparring. Barča Brchelová also won a bronze medal in what was her very first sparring competition. Like Libor the day before, Tomáš Koutský performed well but narrowly lost the match that would have secured him a medal. Author: Radek May Seminar with Grand Master Hwang On May 4, several groups from our club once again traveled to Kolín for a seminar with Grand Master Hwang Ho-yong. The Pardubice group consisted of myself and Korty. At a fuel station near the Pardubice airport we met David from Chrudim. A third group, Patrik and Dan from Lanškroun, traveled separately by train. The emphasis of this seminar was not physical training but theoretical knowledge. Over the course of approximately ninety minutes, Grand Master Hwang covered many core aspects of Taekwon-Do theory, including: Fundamental principles, Terminology, Belt grades, Directional terminology,m Technical concepts Many other theoretical topics The session provided valuable knowledge for everyone in attendance. Taekwon! Author: Radek Coaches’ Training Camp at Lipno From March 23–25, 2018, a coaches’ training camp was held in the beautiful surroundings of the Lipno Reservoir under the leadership of Mgr. Martin Svitek (5th Dan). Our club sent a strong delegation of seven participants, all eager to discover what Martin had prepared for us. The answer, as we soon discovered, was a weekend full of valuable training, new ideas, and memorable experiences. Because Lipno is located on the opposite side of the country, we had to leave on Friday at midday to make the four-hour journey and arrive in time for the first training session. After checking into our accommodation and changing into training gear, we immediately joined the opening session. The first training served mainly as an introduction to the weekend program. We explored various movement exercises, training concepts, and elements of hosinsul (self-defense), a topic that would appear repeatedly throughout the camp in several unconventional and highly practical forms. After training, we enjoyed an excellent dinner, notable not only for its quality but also for the generous portions. The evening then continued in a relaxed atmosphere with old and new friends, conversation, and even some guitar playing. Saturday began with an early morning warm-up beside the Lipno Reservoir. Since the lake was still frozen, passers-by were treated to the unusual sight of Taekwon-Do practitioners performing exercises on the ice. A few especially brave participants even finished the session with a swim in the icy water. Fortunately, a substantial breakfast followed, providing enough energy for the demanding day ahead. The morning training focused heavily on dynamic warm-up exercises, mobility, and movement principles. Under the guidance of an experienced physiotherapist, we explored a variety of exercises designed to improve body mechanics and overall athletic performance. We then moved on to practical self-defense concepts, including attacks on the legs, grappling situations, and defensive reactions that differ significantly from traditional competition sparring. The afternoon session took these ideas even further. Wearing protective equipment, we practiced forms of combat unfamiliar to many of us, including elements of ground fighting, takedowns, and self-defense situations that are often neglected in regular training. The program remained varied and physically demanding throughout. To conclude the session, Martin introduced relaxation techniques, massage methods, and recovery strategies designed to help athletes regenerate after hard training. The remainder of Saturday focused on recovery and social activities. Following lunch, we visited the nearby Vítkův Hrádek observation tower, later enjoyed the sauna, and finished the evening with more conversation and entertainment. Sunday’s final training session served as a review of everything learned during the weekend while also introducing several strength-training principles, particularly those aimed at developing lower-body power. After lunch, we said our goodbyes and began the long journey home. The camp exceeded all expectations, providing not only practical training knowledge and inspiration but also a memorable weekend spent among friends. Author: Jakub Koutský Regional Seminar in Kolín – “On the Mat in Socks” On March 9, 2018, the third regional seminar of the year took place in Kolín. Unlike the previous seminar, which had been led by Ondřej Vrábel, this event was conducted by Grand Master Hwang Ho-yong, who had only recently returned from South Korea. There he had been involved in preparing a joint ITF and WTF demonstration team for performances associated with the Winter Olympic Games in PyeongChang. Only fifteen participants attended the seminar, including four representatives from our club: myself, Kuba Koutský, and from Lanškroun, Patrik and Dan Šulák. The session focused on patterns and practical applications of techniques. During the intensive ninety-minute training session, we worked on patterns from Chon-Ji through Won-Hyo. Each pattern was practiced both independently and on command, followed by partner exercises exploring practical applications of selected techniques. Afterward, we repeated the patterns while incorporating corrections and improvements suggested by Grand Master Hwang. One of the most valuable aspects of the seminar was the detailed explanation of technical applications. Grand Master Hwang carefully analyzed even the smallest details and found points that each participant could improve. The seminar was educational, demanding, and highly enjoyable for everyone involved. The title “On the Mat in Socks” came from a rather unusual sight: for the first time, we saw Grand Master Hwang conducting training while wearing socks. At the beginning of the seminar, he simply explained, “I am sick, I wear socks.” It was a small but memorable detail from another excellent seminar. Author: Korty Grading Examinations in Pardubice and Lanškroun On March 6, 2018, grading examinations for higher technical ranks were held in Pardubice. Since Grand Master Hwang was unable to attend due to work commitments in Korea, I took on the role of examiner. The pre-grading assessments had largely been conducted by the students themselves within their training groups. In some cases, I might have been slightly stricter, but the system worked well and allowed the first grading examinations in Lanškroun to take place successfully only a few days later. On Sunday, candidates in Lanškroun completed their tests, followed by participants from Chrudim and Pardubice during the following week. All candidates passed successfully and earned promotion to higher grades. While receiving a new belt is an important milestone, the real challenge begins afterward. Every student must now demonstrate through consistent effort and improvement that they truly deserve the level they have achieved. The examinations marked not the end of the journey, but the beginning of a new stage in their training. Author: Radek The Underestimated Dallyon – Presentation of Dan Certificates During the February seminar in Kolín, Ondřej Vrábel, who was substituting for Grand Master Hwang, brought Dan certificates for our newest black belts. Three members of our club had earned them: Patrik, Tomáš, and another Tomáš. Unfortunately, none of them were able to attend the seminar. Two of them were recovering from illness, while the third was covering extra duties at work because his colleagues were sick. As a result, they would have to wait until the next club event to receive their certificates. Jokingly, we suggested that a little more dallyon—the practice of strengthening the body through methods such as exposure to cold water—might help avoid future illnesses. Despite their absence, the seminar itself was excellent. Together with Lucie, Korty, and David from Chrudim, I practiced a variety of kicking techniques that are not often emphasized in regular training, including Bituro Chagi, Bandal Chagi, and Sewo Chagi. These kicks were combined into numerous combinations before we finished the day by practicing patterns from Toi-Gye through Ge-Baek. Author: Radek 2017 Dan Examinations – “More Black Belts” Sunday, December 10, 2017, was the second Sunday of Advent for many people. For our three-member Taekwon-Do delegation (myself, Tomáš, and Tom Thun), however, it was a truly significant day. We set off by car for Brno at 6:00 a.m. to take our Dan grading examinations. Apart from a short detour, the journey went smoothly. Along the way, we casually reviewed theory and tested each other’s knowledge. Nervousness was already beginning to set in. Tom seemed to deal with it best—he spent about half the journey asleep, or at least that’s how it appeared from my perspective. We arrived well before 8:00 a.m. and parked near a shopping center. Since registration didn’t begin until 9:00, we had some extra time to review our examination material, this time including practical demonstrations. One of the highlights was a man sitting in a van opposite us, watching two people standing side by side and apparently waving their arms around for no reason at all. We were actually practicing the preparation phases of techniques, but from his viewpoint it must have looked quite strange. He simply stared at us in disbelief. Time passed quickly. Shortly before nine o’clock we set off in search of the Brno school’s gym—with the assistance of GPS, I must admit—and eventually found it. Upon arrival we were welcomed by Radek and Lucie. The Brno gym is, in my opinion, every Taekwon-Do practitioner’s dream: large, fully equipped, and containing everything from new mats and punching bags to kicking targets and large mirrors. Simply put, it was fantastic. After changing into our doboks, our journey toward the coveted black belt could begin. The gym soon filled with candidates. Everyone completed their own warm-up routine. Some reviewed patterns, others stretched, while some practiced special techniques on kicking targets. Everyone prepared according to their own needs. At 10:00 a.m., we stood before the Czech ITF Taekwon-Do examination board, consisting of: Grand Master Hwang Ho-jong, 9th Dan Master Rostislav Kaňka, 7th Dan Master Martin Zámečník, 7th Dan Milan Prokeš, 6th Dan Were we nervous? Absolutely—and who wouldn’t be? The first candidates to step onto the floor were the thirteen applicants for 1st Dan. Watching their performances only increased our anxiety. Many clearly had extensive competition experience. Their techniques were sharp and their movements incredibly dynamic. Tom and I entered the mats with numbers 9 and 10. Of course, there were a few small mistakes. Personally, I was mostly aware of how stiff my body felt. I tried to relax during the patterns, but with limited success. The whole section passed surprisingly quickly. After the patterns, we moved on to sparring. Candidates entered in pairs and demonstrated free sparring followed by self-defense techniques. Luckily, Tom and I were paired together. Even though I thought nothing about Tom could surprise me after all those years of training together, I was wrong. He attacked with the determination of a true fighter. Before I had fully reacted, it was over. The self-defense section went smoothly and without injury. I believe this was one of our strongest parts of the examination. Next came the feared Tukki—special techniques. Out of five possible techniques, the board selected: Twimyo Nopi Chagi Twimyo Dollyo Chagi Twio Dolmyo Yop Chagi We both succeeded with the Nopi Chagi on our first attempt and completed the remaining techniques on our second attempts. After that came Wiryok (power breaking), consisting of: Ap Joomuk Jirugi Dollyo Chagi Yopcha Jirugi This was the first discipline in which I felt fully confident. It was also the first opportunity to put my body weight to good use and simply drive through the boards. Fortunately, the boards seemed more than willing to break. The final challenge was theory—arguably the most feared part of the examination. The stress level was even higher than during the physical sections, but we successfully passed this final test as well. While our examination was now complete, our instructor Tomáš was only just beginning his own journey toward 2nd Dan. His examination included: Patterns Sparring Pre-arranged sparring Self-defense Power breaking Despite the pressure and strong competition—including members of the Czech national team—he delivered an excellent performance. The only thing I personally missed was seeing his famous jumping skills in action, but veterans do not perform special techniques during examinations. Hard as it is to believe, Tomáš already belongs to that category. We would probably all agree that he remains one of the best jumpers in our school. He successfully completed every part of his 2nd Dan examination. The examinations for 3rd, 4th, and 5th Dan followed. Watching them was a fascinating experience. The performance that impressed and inspired me most was Martin Svitek from Sonkal during his 5th Dan examination. His Sonkal Dung breaking technique on three boards was incredible. I still do not know exactly how he did it, but he broke them. After the examinations, the board met to discuss the results. Finally, the candidates assembled together and the scores were announced. We placed comfortably in the “golden middle,” scoring around 65 points. For every colored-belt student, the black belt is something of a holy grail. It certainly was for me. However, earning a black belt also brings responsibility—the responsibility to help Taekwon-Do grow and to pass its values on to others. Finally, I would like to thank our instructors, Tomáš and Radek, who deserve the greatest credit for our success. Thank you for everything you have taught us, both inside the gym and in everyday life. Author: Patrik Celebrating 30 Years of Taekwon-Do in the Czech Republic – National Seminar What better way is there to celebrate thirty years of Taekwon-Do in the Czech Republic than by training? That is why Radek H., Korty, Jakub K., Lucie, and I travelled to Brno on December 9 for the national seminar. Around 160 Taekwon-Do practitioners from across the country attended. For some participants, the program consisted of nearly five hours of training. The first session, led by Grand Master Hwang, focused on basic techniques and all color-belt patterns, from Chon-Ji to Choong-Moo. Guided step sparring was also included. The second part of the seminar was divided into several groups. Color belts first trained self-defense with Master Zámečník and then sparring with Master Kaňka. Black belts practiced the remaining patterns, from Kwang-Gae to Tong-Il, under Grand Master Hwang’s guidance. Those who had not yet learned the higher patterns gradually joined the color-belt group. I personally enjoyed the final training block immensely. Between noon and 6:00 p.m., with only short breaks, all 24 ITF Taekwon-Do patterns were practiced under the watchful eye of several cameras and at a very brisk pace. The 30th Anniversary Celebration The evening celebration took place at the Holiday Inn Hotel. Organized by the Czech ITF Taekwon-Do Federation, the event marked thirty years of Taekwon-Do in the Czech Republic. Nearly everyone who had contributed to that history was present. Among the guests were: Grand Master Hwang Ho-jong, widely considered the father of Czech Taekwon-Do Holders of 7th Dan rank and Master titles World and European champions Pioneers of Czech Taekwon-Do Instructors who continue to pass their knowledge on to future generations A presentation highlighted key moments from those thirty years, and several distinguished guests received awards. The loudest standing ovation was reserved for Grand Master Hwang Ho-jong. For perhaps the first time, there was a hint of emotion in the normally firm voice familiar from seminars and examinations. I was also honored with an award recognizing work done by the federation’s only school in Eastern Bohemia. While the award pleased me greatly, I know it does not belong solely to me. It belongs to the entire team that helped build our school, which itself celebrated its twentieth anniversary this year. Once again, thank you all for your excellent work. Author: Radek Devil’s Cup – We Weren’t Afraid of the Devils and Stole a Few Medals At around six o’clock on Saturday morning, a team of ten competitors and three referees headed to Prague for the traditional Devil’s Cup. After arriving and completing registration—including welcoming Kuba V., who arrived directly from Beroun by train to serve as a coach—the competition began. The entire Vorlíček family made their tournament debut in patterns. Nikola and Dan may not have won their matches, but both delivered strong performances and gained valuable experience. Their family’s reputation was saved by their father, who confidently won every round and claimed a gold medal. Other competitors also performed well. Barča, Denis, Andreas, and Jirka “Šmoula” Brož each won at least one match and showed significant improvement compared to previous tournaments. Tomáš R. advanced all the way to the final and earned a silver medal. I was the last competitor in patterns. My performance was decent rather than spectacular, but it was still enough for a bronze medal. In sparring, Jiří Brož represented our younger competitors. Thanks to smart movement and fast combinations of roundhouse kicks and punches, he won first place. Unfortunately, I did not get to watch all of the junior boys’ matches because the weight divisions ran simultaneously and Kuba V. and I had to split our coaching duties. Andreas faced a particularly difficult opponent in the opening round and struggled to recover physically afterward. Denis used intelligent movement—and occasionally hid behind the referee, according to Aleš’s tactical advice—to secure a bronze medal. As a coach, I had the pleasure of helping Tomáš R. reach second place in sparring. He dominated his first two matches and gave his opponents no opportunities to score. In the final, he faced a member of the national team and finished only one point short of victory. I also competed in sparring. In the first round I faced Jana K., a national team member. The result was largely predictable, but compared to our previous encounter at the national championships, I at least managed to execute a few techniques and combinations successfully. In my next match I absolutely had to win because Lenka S. jokingly informed me that if I lost, I would have to walk home. Fortunately, I secured second place. The refereeing team consisted of Lenka S., Petr K., and Radek H. Overall, I consider the tournament a success. We delivered strong performances, everyone survived, and we all learned something valuable. Besides competition lessons, I learned how to bake a Sachertorte from Barča at Tege and discovered from Láďa Švanda that I am not the only federation member who struggles to remember the names of all club leaders in the Czech Republic. Author: Lucie Among the Czech and Moravian Elite A record-breaking 588 Taekwon-Do competitors gathered in Nymburk for the Czech National Championships, and our team was proud to be among them with nine determined representatives. Although our final medal count—three silver and four bronze medals—was lower than the previous year, the level of competition was exceptionally high. Many of our opponents were members of the Czech national team, which had achieved second place at the European Championships and third place at the World Championships earlier that year. Against such competition, every medal felt twice as valuable. Our most successful athlete was Lucie Kratochvílová, who won a silver medal in patterns and a bronze medal in sparring. She faced a national team representative in the semi-finals and gained valuable experience. Lucie discovered that once the initial respect and nervousness faded, she was more than capable of holding her own against a European and World Championship medalist. Another silver medal in sparring was earned by Denis Ježek from Chrudim. He reached the final but ultimately lost due to receiving too many warnings for techniques delivered to prohibited target areas. The third silver medal came from Dan Šulák of Lanškroun in the patterns competition. Additional bronze medals were earned by Denisa Tkáčová and Tomáš Růžička in sparring. Both fought in divisions that included national team members and battled for a place in the finals until the very last seconds of their matches. Junior competitor Barča Brchelová added another bronze medal in patterns. Unfortunately, our only child competitor, Jiří “Šmoula” Brož, narrowly missed the podium despite excellent performances in both sparring and patterns. In the patterns division alone, he began the competition against a field of forty competitors, making the road to a medal particularly difficult. Similar experiences were shared by Denisa, Kuba Koutský, and Tomáš Růžička, all of whom successfully advanced through the first round before suffering narrow defeats in the second. Our first junior patterns team also fell short of the medal rounds. In sparring, Andreas Ježek, Kuba Koutský, and the junior team were eliminated in the quarter-finals. Later exits followed for Tomáš Thun Jr., Martin Špaňúr, and Tomáš Růžička. Special praise belongs to Kuba Koutský, who displayed remarkable courage. During an earlier match he suffered a painful injury above his knee and required repeated treatment. Despite the injury, he continued into a difficult bout against Czech national team member Tomáš Vodička, fighting until the very end while enduring several heavy impacts. In the special techniques competition, Lucie, Dan Šulák, and the junior team all narrowly missed qualification for the main event. The same fate met our competitors in the power-breaking discipline. Regardless of final standings, every athlete deserves recognition for their performances. The improvement compared with previous competitions was visible across the entire team. Special thanks also go to the coaches and black belts who provided support, coaching, and encouragement throughout the championships: Tomáš Thun Sr., Lenka Součková, Aleš Novák, Petr Kortan, and Kuba Valtera. Author: Radek November Seminar in Kolín On November 10, Radek, Lucie, Kuba Koutský, David from Chrudim, Tomáš, Tomáš, Patrik, and I traveled to Kolín for a regional seminar. The weather was far from ideal, and the journey reflected those conditions. Expecting the usual cold gymnasium environment, I even wore a T-shirt underneath my dobok. To my surprise, the gym was heated, making it much more comfortable than at previous seminars. The seminar was led by Master Martin Zámečník, who worked with the black belts on their patterns and knife-defense techniques. The lower belts trained with Radka Heydušková, focusing on their own patterns and preparation for power breaking. The change in teaching style brought a fresh perspective and provided everyone with valuable corrections and advice. The seminar proved both enjoyable and educational, and it left us looking forward to the next opportunity to train together. Author: Radek Autumn Training Camp From October 27–29, a total of 56 participants gathered in Třemošnice for our autumn training camp. The objective was simple: improve as much as possible. Some participants were preparing for grading examinations, others for black-belt pre-testing, while several competitors were making final preparations for the Czech National Championships scheduled to take place the following week in Nymburk. Training sessions were divided into two groups: Yellow and green belts Green belts and above In addition to myself, instructors and assistants from our clubs in Pardubice, Lanškroun, and Chrudim took turns leading sessions. Their efforts were rewarded by the visible progress made by the participants over the weekend. The results spoke for themselves. By the end of the camp, 26 students successfully passed either their examinations or pre-grading assessments. Not everyone advanced. A few students fell just short and, understandably, some tears were shed. However, they also received valuable feedback and corrections that will help them prepare more successfully for the next opportunity. As with any intensive training camp, different muscles seemed to hurt after every session. In the best cases, participants left with nothing more than sore muscles and bruises. There were also a handful of minor injuries, but fortunately none appeared serious, and everyone was expected to return to training soon. Overall, the camp was a great success and clearly demonstrated how much progress can be achieved through hard work, dedication, and teamwork. Author: Radek “Won-Hyo Pattern? I Don’t Know That One,” Said the 4th Kup The STM (Talent Development Centre) competition took place in Nymburk on October 14–15. Our team consisted of five competitors, with Radek serving as coach, while Radek Jr. and Korty worked as referees. On Sunday, Lenka also joined us and helped with coaching duties. In the end, our Pardubice team returned home with an impressive haul of eight bronze medals and one silver medal, which I consider a very strong result. Saturday belonged to the children’s divisions, meaning that Jiří “Šmoula” Brož was our only competitor that day. He managed to earn two bronze medals in sparring. His first match of the tournament was particularly successful, although his team competition was affected by the absence of two teammates and ended in defeat. Unfortunately, patterns did not go as smoothly. In a moment of panic, Jirka mixed up his patterns and convinced himself that he did not know the assigned one. The funny thing was that he actually did know it—he just did not realize it at the time. Although he did not win a medal in patterns, the two bronze medals he earned in sparring were absolutely deserved. In the evening, the boys and I attended a presentation about the recent European Championships held in Liverpool. The presentation reviewed the outstanding success of the Czech national team, which finished second overall behind Russia. Listening to the achievements of the Czech athletes, including four gold medals in junior female sparring, was inspiring. Before leaving, I collected a few autographs from the successful national team members—an opportunity too good to miss. Sunday was the juniors’ turn to compete. Denisa’s expectations for patterns were not especially high, and unfortunately she was right. However, she performed much better in sparring. She comfortably advanced through her first two matches before facing a friend and teammate from the South Moravian STM in the final. Despite a strong effort, she lost the match and earned a silver medal. She later added a bronze medal in the team sparring event, giving her a successful silver-and-bronze combination. Martin appeared more comfortable in patterns than sparring. He earned a bronze medal with his team in the patterns competition, while his individual sparring campaign ended in the first round after a lengthy and nerve-wracking wait beside the ring. Nevertheless, he gained valuable experience and added another bronze medal in the team special techniques event together with Tomáš. Tomáš moved through the patterns competition with his usual expressionless look, as if he would rather be somewhere completely different. However, once he stepped into the sparring ring, he came alive. After a strong performance, he secured a bronze medal. He also earned two more bronze medals in the team patterns and team sparring events alongside Martin and their teammates from South Moravia. As for me, I was the only member of our group who returned home without a medal. As a 5th Kup, I was limited to competing in patterns and was eliminated in the first round. Despite this disappointment, Radek praised my performance and said it had been good enough to advance. The judges disagreed, but as Lenka wisely pointed out, “If your coach is happy, then you can be happy too.” Looking back, I am satisfied with my performance and already looking forward to earning my 4th Kup so that I can compete in sparring at future tournaments. When I think back on the entire weekend, the highlight may actually have been the food. Compared to a typical school cafeteria, it was an enormous improvement. While I was happy with a simple bowl of cereal for breakfast, others chose far more ambitious meals. Whatever the preference, nobody could complain about either the quantity or quality of the food. Overall, these were my second STM competitions, and I hope that next time all of us will perform even better—especially me. Most importantly, I believe we all enjoyed a fantastic weekend together. Author: Barbora Brchelová (5th Kup) Seminar in Kolín On October 6, 2017, Lucie, Korty, Patrik from Lanškroun, and I attended a regional seminar in Kolín led by Master Martin Zámečník. Grand Master Hwang was unavailable because he was conducting a seminar in South Africa. The seminar began with the practice of basic techniques, many of which are familiar to beginners attending their first classes. However, the technical requirements and expectations for execution were significantly higher than those required of novice students. Following this, we focused on patterns and finished the session with a short but demanding strength-training segment. The seminar provided a valuable opportunity to refine details that are often overlooked during regular training. We all appreciated Master Zámečník’s teaching style and the corrections he provided. It was a rewarding experience and left us looking forward to the next seminar he would lead. Author: Radek Sports Park Pardubice On August 19–20, 2017, our club once again participated in the Sports Park Pardubice event. Several instructors and senior students staffed our stand throughout the weekend, introducing visitors to Taekwon-Do through practical demonstrations and interactive activities. Weather forecasts for Saturday predicted heavy rain and thunderstorms, but fortunately the meteorologists were completely wrong. Not a single drop of rain fell throughout the day, and occasional sunshine even appeared. As a result, hundreds of visitors stopped by our stand to try basic blocks, punches, front kicks, kicking targets, board breaking, and foam-sword activities. The turnout exceeded all expectations. Based on the number of wristbands distributed, more than one thousand visitors passed through our station over the course of the weekend. Since every visitor was shown at least a handful of kicking techniques, most of us felt the effects in our legs by the end of each day. Sunday was even hotter than Saturday, with strong sunshine making conditions challenging for both instructors and visitors. Despite the heat, we continued throughout the day and were pleased to see so many people interested in learning more about Taekwon-Do. Hopefully, some of them would become future students. Author: Jakub Koutský Celebrating 20 Years of the School On June 30, 2017, more than sixty guests gathered in Mnětice to celebrate twenty years of Taekwon-Do in Pardubice. The celebration combined sport, friendship, history, and, of course, excellent food. Everyone contributed something, resulting in a remarkable selection of cakes, pastries, sandwiches, spreads, muffins, and countless other treats. The variety was so impressive that choosing what to eat became almost as challenging as choosing what to train. After arriving, guests participated in informal sports activities, foam-sword battles, and social gatherings. One of the highlights was a commemorative book presented to every current and former club member. The publication documented twenty years of the school’s history and paid tribute to the people without whom Taekwon-Do in Pardubice, Lanškroun, and Chrudim would never have existed. A group training session and photo shoot followed. Seeing so many black belts together in one photograph was a rare sight and a fitting symbol of the school’s growth over two decades. The evening continued with a ceremonial cake-cutting, a multimedia presentation featuring photographs and videos from the school’s history, and music provided by DJ Korty. Although many participants were perhaps a little too full to spend much time dancing, the event succeeded in bringing together generations of club members and strengthening friendships old and new. It was a memorable and enjoyable celebration of twenty years of hard work, dedication, and the Taekwon-Do community that had formed around it. Author: Radek Summer Training Camp in Horní Bradlo From June 16–18, 2017, we once again gathered in Horní Bradlo for our annual summer training camp. The main theme of the camp was sweeping and takedown techniques, particularly various kicking applications known as suroh chagi, whose purpose is to take an opponent off balance and bring them to the ground. Friday evening’s training focused on drilling these movements using kicking targets after completing a variety of ladder exercises. These included both strength-oriented jumps and coordination drills designed to improve foot speed and agility. Because a record-breaking 53 Taekwon-Do practitioners attended the camp, Saturday’s training was divided into two groups. During the morning session, I worked with the lower belts, practicing practical applications of sweeping techniques in pairs before moving on to patterns. The higher belts trained with our guest instructor, Martin Svitek, concentrating on similar applications before finishing with step sparring exercises. In the afternoon, the lower group returned briefly to patterns before focusing on movement and reaction training, both essential components of free sparring. The advanced group continued with sparring preparation under Martin’s guidance and then moved into actual sparring practice. The afternoon concluded with self-defense training for the lower belts and knife-defense exercises for the higher belts. In the evening, a campfire provided the opportunity to roast sausages and hot dogs, while those preferring lighter food could choose vegetables from the buffet. Before Sunday’s training sessions, students underwent pre-grading assessments. Korty, Kuba V., and Zdenda assessed candidates up to yellow belt level, while I examined the higher grades. Everyone had worked extremely hard throughout the weekend, making the evaluations difficult. Unfortunately, not everyone managed to correct all the issues identified during training, and some students would need to continue preparing for future examinations later in the year. Sunday’s training took place outdoors. The students were again divided into two groups. The lower belts trained basic techniques, patterns, and even enjoyed a small pinecone battle at the end of the session. Meanwhile, the higher belts worked on patterns and advanced kicking techniques. Immediately afterward, grading examinations were held outside on freshly cut grass rather than on the usual gymnasium floor, creating a memorable atmosphere. All candidates passed successfully and could look forward to their new ranks. After lunch, we held a discussion about the history of our school. Winners of a quiz focused on the tenets and practical applications of Taekwon-Do principles received ice cream rewards. Some of the answers were particularly thoughtful and impressed the judging panel. Author: Radek Sonkal Open 2017 – For Some, It Hurt On May 27, 2017, we traveled to Prague for another edition of the traditional Sonkal Open tournament. This competition has long been an important event in our calendar and provides valuable experience for both beginners and experienced competitors. Representing our club were: Šimon Pešek, Barbora Brchelová, Honza Kloz, Jiří Brož, Jáchym Šubrt, Jakub Koutský, Lucie Kratochvílová Lenka served as coach, while Radek, Korty, and Kuba Koutský worked as referees during the morning session. Most of our yellow and green belts were attending their first competition, with the exception of Jáchym and Jirka. It was encouraging to see how much their performances improved from match to match. In several cases, qualification from the group stage was missed by only the narrowest of margins. Our medals ultimately came from the more experienced senior competitors. In patterns, Kuba Koutský lost only a single match and earned a silver medal. Lucie injured a thigh muscle during her first pattern performance, which limited her movement throughout the event. Even so, she fought through the pain and secured a bronze medal in patterns. The sparring competition proved even more challenging. Lucie managed to complete her first match despite the injury, but her leg could not withstand the strain of a second bout, forcing her to withdraw. Kuba demonstrated considerable determination in sparring as well. After losing his opening match against the experienced Pavel Šnábl, he won his next two contests and advanced to the bronze-medal match against a competitor from Slovakia. During the fight, he suffered three painful groin strikes and clearly struggled to recover each time. Nevertheless, he continued fighting to the very end and lost the bronze medal only in the final five seconds after receiving a warning. One consolation was the sincere apology from his Slovak opponent, who immediately expressed regret for the accidental blows. Once again, Sonkal Open provided a friendly atmosphere, excellent organization, and plenty of lessons for all participants. Author: Radek We Are at the Beginning – Dan Examinations On May 21, 2017, a small car carrying five passengers left Pardubice for Prague. Three of those passengers were preparing for one of the most important moments in their Taekwon-Do careers: their 1st Dan examinations. The candidates had trained diligently for years, and the time had finally come to demonstrate what they had learned. The examinations took place at the Chodov Hotel sports hall in Prague. Accompanying the candidates as moral support were Lenka and Korty. Despite the nervous atmosphere, the journey remained cheerful, helped considerably by the good-natured teasing exchanged inside the car. After arriving with plenty of time to spare, we changed into our doboks and began warming up. Soon afterwards, Radek Kolář joined us, having already spent several days in Prague attending an international seminar. Five candidates were taking the examination for 1st Dan. The assessment began with patterns. Although performing on tatami mats rather than a gym floor felt unusual, all candidates completed their patterns successfully. Free sparring and self-defense followed, providing valuable experience since some candidates were paired with practitioners from other clubs. The examination then moved to special techniques and power breaking. Each candidate was required to demonstrate three techniques against one or two wooden boards. Thanks to extensive preparation, everyone successfully completed the breaking requirements. The final challenge was theory. Each candidate was asked a question by the examination board and successfully answered despite the occasional difficulty of Korean terminology. Afterwards, everyone waited anxiously for the results. The tension disappeared quickly when the announcement confirmed that all candidates had passed, receiving strong scores and earning their black belts. For many practitioners, obtaining a black belt is a dream and a major milestone. Yet it is also a beginning rather than an ending. As the saying goes, true Taekwon-Do study begins with the 1st Dan. The candidates had reached their goal—but also taken their first step into a much larger journey. Author: Jakub Koutský International Seminar in Prague From May 19–21, 2017, an International Technical Seminar led by Grand Master Hwang Ho-jong took place in Prague. Students and instructors from across Europe attended, including a special guest: Master Wayne Brown (8th Dan) from England, accompanied by his wife, a 5th Dan holder. Practitioners from Poland, Finland, the Netherlands, and other countries were also present. The seminar covered the full technical curriculum of ITF Taekwon-Do. Friday’s three-hour session focused on fundamental techniques, particularly techniques from higher-level patterns. Participants practiced a wide variety of kicking techniques, ranging from standard movements to more advanced and demanding variations. Saturday morning was devoted to patterns, covering Chon-Ji through Po-Eun. As each pattern was practiced, questions and technical details were discussed in depth. The Saturday afternoon session concentrated on all forms of sparring: Three-step sparring, Two-step sparring, One-step sparring, Semi-free sparring, Free sparring, Self-defense, Knife-defense techniques The day ended with a formal dinner attended by Grand Master Hwang and Master Brown, who celebrated his birthday during the seminar. Sunday focused on the remaining patterns, from Choong-Jang through Tong-Il. By the end of the weekend, participants had practiced all 24 ITF patterns and explored the complete technical composition of Taekwon-Do. Master Brown also assisted with instruction throughout the seminar, contributing his considerable experience and insight. Author: Radek Federation Seminar on Movement and Body Mechanics On April 22, 2017, a unique seminar led by Martin Svitek (4th Dan) took place in Kolín. As an experienced physiotherapist, Martin brought a perspective rarely explored in traditional martial arts training: the science of efficient human movement. The seminar began with a simple exercise. Participants performed Chon-Ji Tul while paying close attention to how their bodies felt during the pattern. The purpose became clear as the day progressed. The morning focused on improving posture, breathing mechanics, trunk stability, and efficient movement. Participants learned methods to improve mobility and reduce tension, especially in the chest and upper body—areas often affected by modern sedentary lifestyles. After lunch, attention shifted to strength training. Martin demonstrated correct body alignment during exercises such as push-ups and squats, revealing that even seemingly simple movements contain important technical details. Participants also learned a variety of exercises designed to strengthen the core and improve overall athletic performance. One of the most valuable aspects was Martin’s ability to provide numerous adaptations and progressions, making the exercises suitable for children and adults alike. At the end of the seminar, everyone performed Chon-Ji Tul once again, attempting to apply the principles learned throughout the day. Many participants immediately noticed improvements in movement quality and body awareness. The seminar provided a rare opportunity to explore aspects of training that are often neglected during regular classes. Martin’s expertise, teaching ability, and practical experience made the event both educational and highly enjoyable. Taekwon! Author: Jakub Koutský May Seminar in Kolín On May 5, 2017, a large group from our school once again traveled to Kolín to attend a seminar with Grand Master Hwang Ho-yong. The participants included myself, Radek Hlavinka, Martin, Jakub Koutský, Lenka Havránková, Jiří Ropek, and our friends from Lanškroun—Tomáš Thun Sr., Tomáš Thun Jr., and Patrik. Jiří Ropek arrived directly from an active cycling holiday, having already completed a 40-kilometer mountain bike ride earlier that day. At the time, however, he had no idea what Grand Master Hwang had prepared for us that evening. The seminar focused primarily on offensive and defensive sparring kicks. More than half of the techniques involved jumping and spinning variations, meaning that for most of the session we were constantly jumping, spinning, and kicking. The training was physically demanding but extremely enjoyable. I had the opportunity to train with Radka Heydušková, which was once again a very inspiring experience. Although she claimed to be struggling with back pain, it was difficult to believe after watching her demonstrate highly creative combinations of kicks, both on the ground and in the air. By the end of the evening, everyone had certainly received a serious workout. The seminar concluded with sparring exercises, during which our veteran competitor Jiří Ropek was officially excused from performing the mandatory jumping spinning kick. Nevertheless, he managed to execute it before his opponent, who happened to be forty-six years younger. Author: Radek Federation Seminar on Advanced Movement Principles for Taekwon-Do Practitioners On April 22, 2017, a unique federation seminar took place in Kolín under the guidance of Martin Svitek (4th Dan). As an experienced physiotherapist, Martin possesses extensive knowledge about human movement and its connection to Taekwon-Do training, and he generously shared a portion of that expertise with us. The day began with a simple but revealing exercise. After arriving and preparing the training hall, everyone performed Chon-Ji Tul while paying close attention to the sensations they experienced during movement. At that stage, nobody quite understood the purpose behind it. The morning program focused on principles designed to create more natural, efficient movement patterns. Participants explored breathing techniques, posture correction, and methods of improving trunk stability. Special attention was given to releasing tension and increasing mobility in the chest and upper body, areas often negatively affected by modern sedentary lifestyles. After lunch, the seminar shifted toward strength and conditioning. Martin demonstrated proper body mechanics during exercises such as push-ups and squats, showing that even simple exercises require careful attention to posture and movement quality. Participants learned a variety of drills designed to strengthen the core and improve movement efficiency using both bodyweight exercises and training equipment. One particularly valuable aspect was Martin’s ability to provide numerous modifications and progressions, making the exercises accessible to both adults and children. At the end of the seminar, everyone performed Chon-Ji Tul again while attempting to apply the newly acquired principles. Many participants immediately noticed improvements in how their movements felt and flowed. The seminar offered a valuable opportunity to focus on details that rarely receive enough attention during regular classes. Author: Jakub Koutský Regional Seminar in Kolín – February 2017 On February 24, 2017, we attended another regional seminar in Kolín led by Grand Master Hwang Ho-yong. Along with me, the group included Radek Hlavinka, Tomíno, Martin, Jirka, David from Chrudim, Kuba Valtera, Kuba Koutský, Patrik from Lanškroun, and both Tomáš Thuns. The seminar began with a review of the Theory of Power. Since many of us had attended a similar seminar with Grand Master Hwang only a month earlier, we had a slight advantage in understanding and answering questions. The remainder of the seminar focused on patterns. Unfortunately, because so many participants still had errors within their techniques and pattern performances, there was no time left for the sparring portion that had originally been planned. The lesson was clear: we needed to improve our basic techniques before advancing further into the complete Taekwon-Do curriculum. Author: Radek Valuable Experience at Czech Open 2017 From March 17–19, 2017, the international Czech Open tournament took place in Nymburk. More than 500 competitors from sixteen European countries participated, making it one of the most important events of the season. The prestige of the competition was further enhanced by the presence of Professor Ri Yong-son, President of the International Taekwon-Do Federation (ITF). For many national team members, this event served as the final major competition before the European Championships in Liverpool. For our athletes, it represented an opportunity to test themselves against some of Europe’s finest competitors. Lucie Kratochvílová continued her excellent form by winning a gold medal in patterns. In sparring, she found herself in a very strong category that included representatives from the Czech Republic, Bulgaria, and Estonia. Although she did not advance beyond the first round, she remained competitive throughout the match and gained valuable experience. Jiří Lukšík experienced a very different journey. In his semi-final sparring match, he spent most of the contest either tied or trailing. With just four seconds remaining, he turned the score around and secured victory. In the final, however, he was unable to repeat the comeback and ultimately earned an excellent silver medal. Jiří also competed in power breaking but managed to break only two boards completely while partially breaking a third, which was not enough for a medal. The final medal for our team came from Denisa Tkáčová, who earned bronze in sparring. After narrowly winning her opening match in the final moments, she faced a Slovenian competitor in the semi-finals. As the match progressed, her opponent had slightly more energy remaining and advanced to the final. Tomáš Růžička also deserves recognition for his fighting spirit. In patterns he defeated a competitor from Poland before losing to an athlete from Ukraine in the next round. He then met the same Ukrainian competitor in sparring and delivered a clever tactical performance against a physically powerful opponent, narrowly missing victory. Jakub Koutský qualified for the main competition in power breaking but was unable to replicate the form he had shown in training. In sparring he lost to an experienced Greek national team athlete. Despite the results, the tournament provided invaluable international experience that would undoubtedly contribute to future success. Author: Radek Grading Examinations and Seminar with Grand Master Hwang On February 28, 2017, grading examinations for higher ranks took place in Pardubice. Although not everyone passed the preliminary assessment beforehand, the event attracted a record number of participants. A total of forty-four students from Pardubice, Chrudim, and Lanškroun attended. Every candidate successfully passed their examination. Grand Master Hwang singled out Marek Ondrák from Lanškroun for special recognition, awarding him a signed copy of the book Grand Master Hwang, 9th Dan in appreciation of his outstanding performance. He also praised the quality of the examinations completed by Denisa Tkáčová and Lucie Kratochvílová, both of whom were attempting higher ranks with significantly greater technical requirements. Following the examinations, participants gathered for a group photo before taking part in a seminar led by Grand Master Hwang. During the seminar, he explained the principles of Taekwon-Do and revisited the Theory of Power, paying particular attention to mistakes he had observed during the examinations. The detailed explanations gave everyone valuable guidance for future training, competitions, and grading tests. Author: Radek International Referee Seminar At the end of January 2017, Prague hosted an International Referee Seminar for officials preparing to work at the upcoming European Championships in Liverpool. The seminar was organized by the Czech ITF Taekwon-Do Federation and led by Grand Master Michael Prewett, President of the European ITF Federation and one of Europe’s most experienced referees. Throughout the weekend, participants reviewed the complete rule set and its proper interpretation. Particular emphasis was placed on correct procedures within the various competition disciplines. Video analysis and practical judging exercises formed an important part of the curriculum. A technical section was also included, during which participants performed all twenty-four ITF patterns. Discussion focused on controversial or technically challenging elements within individual patterns to ensure consistency of judging. Radek Kolář attended the seminar as an A-Class International Referee. Although work commitments prevented him from officiating at the European Championships, the knowledge gained from the seminar proved valuable for both coaching and future referee development. Author: Radek Warming Up in Winter – January Seminar In January 2017, several members of our school traveled to Kolín for the first seminar of the year. Participants included Lenka Havránková, Martin, Tomíno, Jirka Lukšík, Denisa, Jiří Ropek, both Tomáš Thuns, Patrik, and myself. The seminar was led by Master Martin Zámečník and Radka Heydušková. Master Zámečník worked with the higher grades, particularly 3rd Dan holders and above, giving them the opportunity to practice patterns up to 6th Dan level. Meanwhile, the majority of participants trained under Radka’s supervision, focusing on sport sparring and practical fighting exercises. The intensive sparring sessions quickly succeeded in warming everyone up despite the winter conditions. The seminar also included a shorter segment devoted to step sparring and a detailed review of the syllabus required for green-blue belt promotion. Master Zámečník provided extensive explanations, ensuring participants understood not only how techniques should be performed but also why they were important. The event offered an excellent start to the training year and provided plenty of technical corrections, practical experience, and motivation for the months ahead. Author: Radek Kolář 2016 National Training Marathon On December 10, 2016, the traditional end-of-year National Seminar took place in Brno. Joining me were Lenka Součková, Lenka Havránková, Jakub Valtera, Jakub Koutský, Lucie Kratochvílová, Radek Hlavinka, and Petr Kortan. Participants holding ranks up to 3rd Dan took part in two training sessions, while 4th Dan holders and above completed three intensive two-hour blocks. The morning program focused on fundamental techniques and patterns. Participants were divided according to rank, allowing each group to work on techniques and patterns appropriate to their level. My group practiced material required for 1st to 3rd Dan examinations. The morning concluded with Juche Tul, a pattern that I consider one of the most demanding in the entire ITF Taekwon-Do system. The afternoon shifted towards competition training under the guidance of national team coaches. We worked on techniques for sparring, beginning with attacks using both hands and feet, gradually combining them into more complex combinations. The second half focused on spinning techniques and efficient methods of applying them in movement. Throughout the session, strength exercises were regularly incorporated, and everyone could feel their energy levels dropping as the hours passed. After only a short break, another two-hour session followed, this time dedicated to black-belt patterns ranging from 4th to 7th Dan. By the end of the day, I was pleased to be among the small group of participants who completed every training block. The journey home was almost as challenging as the seminar itself, but fortunately I managed to wake up in time to get off the train in Pardubice. Author: Radek Kolář Devil’s Cup On December 3, 2016, we traveled to Prague for the traditional Devil’s Cup tournament. Illness prevented some team members from attending, so we did not arrive with a full squad, but our athletes still achieved several strong results. The youngest competitor, Jáchym Šubrt, gained his first competition experience in patterns. He faced twenty opponents divided into six groups and finished second in his group. Although that result was not enough to advance to the final elimination rounds, it was an excellent learning experience. Martin and Jakub Koutský each won one match and lost one in their respective pattern groups, narrowly missing out on the medal rounds. Tomáš Růžička was also unable to reach the podium in patterns. Our only medalist in patterns was Lucie Kratochvílová. Competing in two categories, she earned a silver medal among blue belts and a bronze medal among red belts. Additional bronze medals came in sparring. Tomáš Růžička won bronze in the junior division, while Lucie and Jakub Koutský added bronze medals in their senior categories. Special thanks belong to our referees, Radek Hlavinka and Lenka Součková, as well as coach Jakub Valtera for their hard work and support throughout the event. Author: Radek Kolář Late-November Seminars On November 24, 2016, we welcomed Radka Heydušková (5th Dan) to Pardubice. Radka, a multiple World and European Champion in sport Taekwon-Do and head instructor of the Silla school in Kolín, prepared a highly engaging training program. The seminar included everything from warm-up exercises to demanding conditioning drills and offered participants the chance to experience a different teaching style and perspective on training. The following day, I attended a regional seminar in Kolín led by Grand Master Hwang Ho-yong. This seminar became a small milestone in our school’s history because students from all branches—Pardubice, Lanškroun, and the newly established group in Chrudim—trained together for the first time. Grand Master Hwang began by providing detailed explanations of Taekwon-Do theory, including terminology, technical composition, and the structure of Korean technique names. The practical section focused on fundamental hand and foot techniques performed while moving both forward and backward. After a short break, participants divided into groups. Black belts trained directly under Grand Master Hwang, red belts worked with Master Martin Zámečník, and blue belts trained with me. Patterns formed the main focus of this section. The seminar concluded with joint training involving free sparring, self-defense drills with rotating partners, and a final challenge in the form of a 360-degree jumping kick. Author: Radek Was the 2016 Czech National Championship a Success? On November 11, 2016, our team traveled to Brno for the Czech National Championships—the highlight of the competitive season. The delegation consisted of Denisa Tkáčová, Lucie Kratochvílová, Tomáš Růžička, Jakub Koutský, Jiří Lukšík, Lenka Havránková, referee Lenka Součková, and myself as coach. The weekend began smoothly. Thanks to reserved seats on an extremely crowded train, everyone arrived in good spirits. An amusing complication occurred when Lucie accidentally left her mobile phone behind on the train, but thanks to helpful railway staff, it was successfully returned. Saturday belonged to the junior divisions. Both Denisa and Tomáš were eliminated in the first round of patterns, but sparring brought far greater success. Tomáš defeated the opponent who had earlier beaten him in patterns before facing a medal-winning national team athlete in the quarter-finals. He delivered a remarkable performance featuring excellent movement and evasive skills, eventually finishing in an impressive fifth place at his first national championship. Denisa also encountered a national team representative. She managed to keep the match evenly balanced for much of the contest before a single mistake shifted momentum in her opponent’s favor. Nevertheless, her performance earned her a bronze medal. Tomáš later competed in special techniques, narrowly missing success despite clearing an impressive distance in the flying side kick event. The highlight of Saturday came in power breaking. Denisa successfully broke four out of five techniques and, after a tiebreak round featuring her favorite technique, Dollyo Chagi, secured yet another national championship gold medal. Sunday began even more successfully. Despite fighting illness and a fever, Lucie delivered a flawless sequence of performances in patterns, winning every match 5–0 and capturing gold. Lenka Havránková added a bronze medal in patterns, while Kuba Koutský advanced beyond the first round before being eliminated in the second. In special techniques, Lucie fought through an exhausting series of tie-break rounds and eventually secured another gold medal. Almost immediately afterward, she entered the sparring competition. Despite being physically weakened by illness, she fought her way through the first match, survived a tie after regulation time, and won the overtime period. Eventually exhaustion forced her to withdraw from a later bout, but she still earned an excellent silver medal. Lenka faced a significantly heavier opponent in sparring and demonstrated tremendous determination despite receiving several powerful blows. Jiří Lukšík gained valuable experience in his first major sparring competition, learning firsthand how important tactical coaching can be during a match. Kuba Koutský closed the sparring competition against a Czech national team representative in another demanding contest. The weekend concluded with power breaking. Lucie, Kuba, and Lenka failed to qualify for the finals, but Jiří Lukšík successfully fought his way through qualification and eventually reached a tie-break for the medals. While he narrowly missed gold, he secured an impressive silver medal. The final verdict was clear: yes, the 2016 Czech National Championships were very successful. Beyond the medals, the greatest achievement was the team spirit, mutual support, and excellent representation of our school throughout the entire weekend. Author: Radek How to Earn Gold Medals? Some people spend months preparing to compete for gold medals at the Czech National Taekwon-Do Championships, but Petr Mouric and I earned ours in a very different way. We received Gold Professor Janský Medals at the East Bohemian Theatre in Pardubice in recognition of our long-term voluntary blood donation. We have both been donating blood since the age of eighteen. By receiving this award, we joined fellow school members Zdenda Svoboda and Zbyněk Bartoš, who had already earned the same distinction for completing forty donations. For those who may never stand on a podium at a World, European, or National Championship, there is another path to a medal—helping other people. It is certainly a worthy way to earn one. Author: Radek “120 Years and a Halloween Party” – Autumn Training Camp From October 28–30, 2016, we held our traditional autumn training camp. For me, preparations began long before the first day of training. On October 27, Lucie and I faced what felt like our first battle of the weekend while shopping for food in a crowded supermarket. We were buying supplies for forty-five participants, and simply trying to cut bread, weigh fruit, and move through the enormous crowds became a challenge in itself. Somehow we managed to complete everything and returned home tired but satisfied. The following morning we arrived at the camp full of anticipation. After unpacking and handling various organizational tasks, we gathered for the first training session. The opening focus was on special jumping techniques and take-off training. Following lunch, the higher belts completed a theory test before everyone returned to training. The afternoon was divided into groups. Together with Lenka, I worked with the lower belts on basic techniques, reaction drills, and awareness exercises. Later, the higher belts trained sparring skills under Kuba’s supervision before I took over and focused on entering attacking techniques and practical sparring applications. By the end of the day everyone had trained hard and fatigue was beginning to appear. One of the highlights of the weekend was a surprise birthday celebration for several members whose combined ages totaled 120 years. Jiří Ropek celebrated his 60th birthday, Zdenda Svoboda and David Pešek both turned 40, and Jiří Lukšík celebrated his 22nd birthday. They were presented with cakes and signed books dedicated by Grand Master Hwang. The celebration brought plenty of smiles and created a memorable atmosphere for everyone involved. Saturday’s training focused on patterns, step sparring, and combat preparation. The higher belts continued their work on sparring strategy while the lower belts concentrated on defensive techniques and combinations. Evening training introduced ground-fighting concepts and joint-lock techniques useful in practical self-defense situations. Halloween added another enjoyable element to the camp. Participants carved pumpkins, created impressive decorations, and enjoyed a spooky evening before lights out. Sunday’s training included kicking drills, board-breaking preparation, and promotion pre-tests organized by Korty and Lenka. While not everyone passed the preliminary assessments, everyone gained valuable feedback and knew exactly what to improve. Formal grading examinations followed later in the morning, and all candidates successfully earned their new ranks. The weekend concluded with discussions about Taekwon-Do and the school’s future. Everyone left with new skills, new knowledge, and plenty of motivation to continue training. Author: Radek From Joy to Disappointment in Ten Minutes – The Second STM Meeting The second annual Talent Development Centre (STM) testing event took place in Ostrava, bringing together young competitors, coaches, and referees from across the country. Representing our club were Denisa Tkáčová and Jiří Brož, accompanied by referees Radek Hlavinka and Lenka. After registration, accommodation, and lunch, participants attended a presentation featuring members of the Czech national team. Federation President Marek Lazor introduced the recent Junior and Veteran World Championship gold medalists, followed by a discussion with several World Champions and national team coach Jan Mráček. It provided an inspiring start to the weekend. Competition began on Saturday afternoon. Jiří Brož competed first in patterns. He won his opening match despite some weaknesses in his stances. In the second round, a few technical mistakes proved costly and he narrowly missed out on a medal. Junior competitions also began that day with patterns and special techniques. By the time the day’s events ended, everyone was so exhausted that a quick snack and immediate bedtime seemed like the perfect plan. Sunday brought much greater success. Denisa performed excellently in sparring, reaching the final before losing to a competitor from Northern Moravia. Her silver medal in the individual event was followed by team gold as the South Moravian juniors defeated the Northern Moravian team 6–0 in the final, with Denisa contributing an important victory. Immediately afterward came power breaking. Denisa successfully broke all five required techniques, becoming the only competitor to do so and earning another gold medal. The emotional roller coaster continued only minutes later during the team power-breaking competition. Denisa attempted the qualifying technique for her team and was stunned when neither of the two boards broke completely—they only cracked. Her expression said everything. It was difficult to believe after her previous perfect performance. Although no team managed to qualify, it was little consolation after such a frustrating moment. The entire weekend demonstrated how quickly emotions can change in competitive sport—from disappointment to triumph and back again within a matter of minutes. Author: Lenka September Seminars with Grand Master Hwang The first regional seminar of the new season took place in Kolín on September 23, 2016. Korty represented our club and was joined by Patrik from the Lanškroun branch. A second seminar followed two days later in Prague, attended by Lucie and myself. Because Grand Master Hwang used the same program in both regions, I already knew what to expect. The content was heavily influenced by the recent Junior and Veteran World Championships, where the Czech Republic achieved an impressive overall third-place finish. Despite the success, Grand Master Hwang identified technical issues he wanted to address. Participants were divided into small groups under the supervision of different instructors. Importantly, instructors did not teach their own students but instead worked with students from other schools. Grand Master Hwang closely monitored all groups, correcting techniques and movement patterns whenever necessary. I was entrusted with my own group and spent the seminar focusing on one of the core principles of ITF Taekwon-Do—the „sine wave“ motion used to maximize body mass and generate power. Training concentrated almost entirely on basic techniques and patterns up to Dan-Gun. The final section of the seminar covered step sparring, again with a strong emphasis on efficient movement and correct technical execution. It was a highly educational experience and a valuable reminder that even after major international success, there is always room for improvement. Author: Radek Our Role in the Olympic Park The Olympic Games may have officially started on August 5, but preparations for the Olympic Park project in Pardubice began long before that. The city originally approached me regarding participation, but knowing the scale of the project, I asked Lenka to take responsibility for the organization. She did an outstanding job, and together we helped present both our school and Taekwon-Do to thousands of visitors. Our first appearance came during the opening celebrations of the Olympic Games. We joined a city-wide parade that attracted approximately 25,000 people and ended at the main Olympic Park area located in Na Špici Park. Throughout the summer, the park welcomed nearly 300,000 visitors who came to enjoy sporting and cultural activities. Taekwon-Do was officially presented on August 19 and August 21. Under Lenka’s leadership, a large team of instructors and volunteers spent the day teaching visitors the basics of our martial art. Activities included obstacle courses, kicking drills, punching targets, heavy bags, multi-kick stations, board breaking, and introductory sparring exercises. Visitors could learn fundamental techniques before testing their skills by breaking boards. Even the youngest participants were often able to successfully break their first board after a little instruction. Another popular section involved light sparring activities where visitors could practice movement and basic attacks while our instructors acted as highly mobile punching bags. Everyone involved worked incredibly hard throughout the day and represented our school with enthusiasm and professionalism. Unfortunately, heavy rain disrupted part of the Sunday program, forcing us to move the activities indoors. Nevertheless, the event was a major success and introduced many people to Taekwon-Do for the first time. We hoped that some of those visitors would join us when recruitment began in September. Author: Radek Summer Torture and an Almost Broken Record From June 17–19, 2016, we held our summer training camp in Horní Bradlo. A total of thirty-three brave participants gathered for what could easily be described as a weekend of enjoyable torture led by two chief torturers: myself and Martin Svitek (4th Dan) from the Sonkal school. A demanding training schedule had been prepared, and it began immediately on Friday evening. The main goal of the camp was to improve kicking techniques. Lower belts focused primarily on Yop Chagi (side kick), while higher ranks worked on Dolmyo Yop Chagi (spinning side kick). Training started with the fundamentals, practicing the kicks from both the front and rear leg using various methods including stepping, sliding, jumping, and spinning variations. Naturally, strength training targeting the muscles essential for these techniques was also included. After training, everyone looked forward to dinner, though perhaps nobody more than Korty. For nearly two weeks he had been anticipating the camp’s traditional meal: potato dumplings stuffed with sausage and topped with fried onions. It remains unclear whether Korty attends the camp for Taekwon-Do or simply for this legendary dinner. This year he set himself the ambitious goal of breaking the local record of sixteen dumplings. He began strongly, maintaining a steady pace and pushing bravely toward glory. After several additional servings and extraordinary determination worthy of the Taekwon-Do tenet of perseverance, he managed to consume fifteen dumplings. Unfortunately, the record remained unbeaten by a single dumpling. Korty spent the rest of the evening unusually quiet, perhaps disappointed by how narrowly he had missed his goal. Saturday began with a morning warm-up followed by breakfast and another intensive kicking session. This training focused on applying side kicks and spinning side kicks in movement and sparring situations. Most drills were performed against kicking targets to ensure that the techniques maintained sufficient power. Of course, no training session would be complete without more strengthening exercises. After the morning session, many participants cooled off in the swimming pool before lunch and a short rest period. The afternoon then brought a lengthy block of training. The lower belts began at 2:00 p.m. with reaction and awareness drills, practicing defensive responses and counterattacks against simulated attacks. The higher belts followed with two hours of sparring training, spending most of the session wearing protective equipment and fighting on a beautifully maintained grass field. The final training of the afternoon focused on self-defense. Following the hard work came recovery. Most participants returned to the pool before gathering around the campfire for roasted sausages and an evening of relaxation. While the younger students spent their time playing games and running around outside, the older members were generally happy to remain seated near the fire or anywhere else that offered a comfortable place to rest. The final morning brought several parallel activities. Martin worked with the lower belts on patterns and technical improvement. For many participants, the session was highly successful because they learned new patterns and refined old ones. Students who had been unable to attend examinations with Grand Master Hwang were given the opportunity to take their grading tests, and all candidates passed successfully. After lunch, we concluded the camp in an unusual way. Instead of taking only a handful of casual mobile-phone pictures, we made use of the photographic skills of our member David, who captured professional photographs of the entire group in the beautiful surroundings of the Železné Mountains. Author: Radek Sonkal Open 2016 On May 28, 2016, we traveled to Prague for the Sonkal Open tournament. Our team consisted of Tomíno, Jiří, Denisa, Martin, and Lenka, who coached us throughout the competition with considerable assistance from Denisa. After weigh-ins and the opening ceremony, competition began. Grand Master Hwang Ho-yong also visited the event during the day. Jiří represented our team in the children’s patterns division. He performed well, winning several matches, although he did not advance far enough to challenge for medals. After lunch, Denisa competed in the junior categories. While patterns did not bring a medal, she delivered an excellent performance in sparring and fought her way to an impressive silver medal. Later in the afternoon, Martin and I competed in patterns, followed by the junior sparring division, which did not begin until approximately 5:00 p.m. My opponents used several advanced kicking techniques that I had not yet mastered, making the event both challenging and educational. Lenka coached me despite also serving as an official during the tournament. The event attracted competitors from twenty-two schools, including one visiting team from Slovakia. The atmosphere throughout the day was outstanding, and the tournament provided valuable experience and motivation for future training. Author: Tomáš „Tomíno“ Růžička Colored Belt Examinations – Even a Master Carpenter Makes Mistakes On May 24, 2016, colored belt examinations were held in our Pardubice dojang. Students from Pardubice, Lanškroun, and Chrudim gathered for promotion tests overseen by Grand Master Hwang Ho-yong. In total, thirty-one candidates attempted to earn a new rank or stripe. Before the examinations began, we congratulated Grand Master Hwang on his sixtieth birthday and presented him with a personalized puzzle featuring his photograph placed in a Pardubice city setting. After the formal opening ceremony, the examinations commenced. The strongest white-belt performance came from Libor Kraucher, who scored sixty-six points and received a commemorative wristband in recognition of his excellent examination. Friendly rivalry emerged among several family groups. In the Vorlíček family, the youngest member, Nikola, achieved the best score. A similar situation occurred in the Ondrák family from Lanškroun, where Mareček outperformed both older family members. Interestingly, Nikola and Mareček finished with exactly the same score, leaving their rivalry unresolved until future examinations. The day also included several parent-and-child combinations, which added a unique family atmosphere to the event. The most talkative candidate was undoubtedly Jiří Brož, whose constant chatting caused problems not only for his own step-sparring performance but also for his training partner. And who was the “master carpenter” who made a mistake? That title belonged to our power-breaking champion Denisa Tkáčová. Surprisingly, she failed all of her breaking techniques on the first attempt by underestimating the boards. Once frustrated, however, she immediately succeeded and nearly broke not only the boards but also the assistants holding them. Several older competitors, including Martin, Tomáš, and Patrik, also performed strongly and passed their examinations successfully. Patrik, in particular, overcame difficulties with board breaking that had troubled him during the pre-test. Author: Radek First STM Testing Event of the Year – Finally Some Competition for Denisa The first STM testing event of 2016 took place in Nymburk on May 14–15. Representing our club were Denisa Tkáčová, Tomáš Růžička, and Jiří Brož. Saturday included competition activities as well as a calligraphy workshop organized by the youth section of the federation. In the evening, while the boys went for pizza with the rest of the STM group, Denisa and I attended an educational lecture by Martin Svitek. Although our South Moravian STM group finished last overall, our athletes performed admirably. Denisa earned three medals: bronze in patterns, bronze in sparring, and gold in power breaking. This gold medal was particularly impressive because, for the first time, she faced serious competition from other qualified athletes, including black belts. To win, she had to execute every required technique perfectly. Tomáš also impressed me greatly. Although he lost his first junior sparring match, he faced an experienced national team member holding a 2nd Dan black belt. Rather than being intimidated, Tomáš fought confidently and even managed to score several points, demonstrating tremendous potential for future competitions. Authors: Lenka and Jiří Brož Sprint for a Trophy The Czech Open 2016 took place in Nymburk on March 19–20 and attracted nearly four hundred competitors from eleven countries. Our delegation consisted of Radek and myself as referees, Lenka as coach, and Denisa as our sole competitor. On Saturday, Denisa competed in patterns and achieved an excellent fifth-place finish in a very strong division. Sunday brought even greater success. In sparring, Denisa won two matches before losing narrowly in the final to a competitor from Karviná, earning a silver medal. She then moved directly into power breaking, where she maintained her remarkable winning streak by securing her fifth consecutive gold medal. Of seven competitors, she was the only one to qualify for the finals. The day nearly became even more hectic when the special techniques event started while Denisa was still eating lunch. Fortunately, some teammates from Chrudim ran to find her. After a sprint down the long corridors of the sports complex, she arrived just in time, warmed up during the run, and successfully qualified. Once again, she was the only competitor to do so and claimed a second gold medal. Her outstanding performance made her the most successful junior woman of the tournament and earned her the overall trophy. Unfortunately, she had already returned home to study for school, so I had the honor of accepting the trophy on her behalf. Author: Radek Coaches’ Weekend at Lipno From February 4–6, 2016, Lucie, Patrik, Kuba, Korty, and I attended a coaches’ training weekend at Lipno. The event featured two exceptional instructors: Master Martin Zámečník (6th Dan), President of the Czech ITF Taekwon-Do Federation, and Jan Mráček (4th Dan), head coach of the Czech national team. Jan Mráček focused primarily on sparring. His sessions explored movement, body mechanics, offensive and defensive timing, tactical preparation, and the role of coaching during competition. Participants examined how to enter attacks effectively while minimizing risk and maximizing tactical advantage. Detailed explanations were provided regarding the coach’s responsibilities before and during matches. A substantial portion of the seminar was devoted to target work and sparring drills. Particular emphasis was placed on the responsibilities of the training partner, both when holding pads and during controlled sparring exercises. One of the greatest benefits was that participants could immediately apply everything themselves, gaining practical understanding through experience. Martin Zámečník contributed his own unique expertise. Morning training sessions included elements of Tai Chi, providing gentle but effective recovery and flexibility work. He also shared numerous stretching methods and delivered an engaging lecture on the history and origins of Taekwon-Do patterns. In addition, he provided countless corrections to black-belt patterns from 1st through 5th Dan. By the end of the weekend, everyone returned home physically exhausted but highly motivated. The combination of excellent instruction, meaningful training, and enjoyable company made the weekend both educational and memorable. Author: Radek Czech ITF Taekwon-Do Federation Cup Over the weekend of February 12–13, 2016, a large number of competitors from across the Czech Republic and Poland gathered in Nymburk for the Czech ITF Taekwon-Do Federation Cup. Although the originally announced attendance of 300 competitors was not reached, the turnout was still impressive and promised a high-quality tournament. Friday was devoted to registration, weigh-ins, coaches’ meetings, accommodation, and dinner. For me, what is usually one of the most enjoyable parts of tournament weekends—the dinner—turned into a small nightmare. Somehow, I managed to lose all of our team’s meal tickets for the following day. Denisa helped me search for them, although I suspect she enjoyed watching my misfortune more than the actual search. Fortunately, members of the Velešín club, led by Milan Prokeš, found the missing tickets and returned them. For that, I remain very grateful. Competition began on Saturday morning after the opening ceremony and athlete’s oath. Considering the large number of participants, it seemed likely that the tournament would be a very long day. However, thanks to the excellent work of the competition and refereeing committees, the event finished at the scheduled time. Special recognition belongs to the clubs that supplied referees and to the coaches who consistently ensured their athletes arrived at the rings on time. Our delegation included referees Radek Hlavinka, Lenka, Korty, and myself. Competing for our club were Denisa Tkáčová, Tomáš “Tomíno” Růžička, Martin, Míla, and the Ježek brothers from Chrudim, Denis and Andreas. Kuba and Lucie supported the team as coaches. The competition format gave younger athletes plenty of opportunities to compete. Some pattern divisions were organized into groups where every competitor faced every other competitor before the best athletes advanced to the knockout rounds. This system provided valuable match experience but also placed considerable demands on the organizational and mathematical skills of the judging panels. In patterns, none of our athletes performed poorly. Every competitor won at least half of their matches. Although no medals were earned in this discipline, it was clear to see that nervousness gradually disappeared and confidence grew with each round. The sparring competition brought more success. Martin won two matches thanks to his aggressive hand techniques and forward pressure. Denisa’s two victories in the group stage earned her a bronze medal. The most successful competitor of the weekend was Tomíno, who won every one of his matches and secured a gold medal. Overall, it was a highly successful tournament. Many athletes performed even better than they had during training. More importantly, everyone left with valuable experience gained from both victories and defeats, making the event an excellent start to the 2016 competition season. Author: Radek First Seminar of 2016 On January 22, 2016, Korty, Lenka, Jiří, and I traveled to Kolín to attend the first regional seminar of the year led by Grand Master Hwang Ho-yong. The seminar began with the Taekwon-Do oath, which I was asked to recite as the highest-ranked participant present. Following the warm-up, Grand Master Hwang presented certificates to practitioners who had recently earned new Dan ranks. Among the recipients were Lenka and Korty, both of whom officially received their 2nd Dan certificates. After this ceremonial beginning, training got underway. Grand Master Hwang entrusted me with leading the warm-up and demonstrating several fundamental hand and foot techniques. Later, I was also asked to conduct the patterns segment of the seminar. We worked through patterns from Chon-Ji to Toi-Gye, focusing on technical corrections and details. Whenever Grand Master Hwang wished to emphasize a particular point, he stepped in personally to demonstrate corrections. Throughout the session, he moved continuously among the students, providing individual guidance and advice. The original plan also included sparring practice. However, because so much time was devoted to technical correction and pattern work, there was not enough time remaining for matsogi. Rather than rushing through the material, Grand Master Hwang chose to focus on quality, leaving the sparring section for a future seminar. Despite the change in schedule, the seminar was extremely valuable. It provided an excellent opportunity to begin the new year by refining fundamentals, correcting old mistakes, and receiving direct instruction from one of the most experienced instructors in the federation. Author: Radek 2015 Taekwon-Do Weekend – Dan Examinations On December 12–13, 2015, the final major Taekwon-Do event of the year took place at Masaryk University Campus in Brno. The weekend consisted of a national seminar led by Grand Master Hwang on Saturday morning, an evening gala celebrating the 60th anniversary of Taekwon-Do founded by General Choi Hong-hi, and Dan examinations on Sunday. The national seminar was conducted by six senior instructors: Rostislav Kaňka, Martin Zámečník, Libor Macháň, Milan Prokeš, and Ondřej Poklop, under the supervision of Grand Master Hwang. Participants were divided into three groups according to rank: 2nd–1st Kup, 1st–2nd Dan, and 3rd Dan and above. The groups rotated through different training stations every hour. One group, led by Ondřej Poklop (6th Dan) and Libor Macháň (5th Dan), focused on sparring drills and practical matsogi in protective equipment. Another group trained special jumping techniques under Master Kaňka (7th Dan) and Ondřej Vrábel (6th Dan), concentrating on advanced kicks that are rarely practiced during regular classes. The third group, supervised by federation president Martin Zámečník (6th Dan) and technical committee chairman Milan Prokeš (5th Dan), worked on self-defense, joint locks, and escape techniques. All three sessions were highly valuable and provided useful ideas for instructors and coaches. The evening gala, beginning at 6:00 p.m., was professionally organized and hosted by Libor Macháň and Ondřej Vrábel. Spectators enjoyed demonstrations of patterns and sparring from some of the Czech Republic’s best competitors, as well as presentations of power breaking and special techniques by national team members. The entertainment program also included dance and cheerleading performances. One of the highlights of the evening was the recognition of pioneers who helped establish and develop Taekwon-Do in the Czech Republic. Miroslav Galbač and Petr Vácha received special awards in appreciation of their contributions. Without people like them, many of us might never have practiced Taekwon-Do at all. Following the gala, participants attended a banquet at the nearby Campea Restaurant. The food was excellent, featuring traditional Czech specialties and refreshments. However, I had to avoid overindulging because the next day would be my own important challenge—the Dan examinations. Sunday brought the most stressful part of the weekend. Thirty-seven candidates attempted examinations for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Dan. Lenka and I were among those seeking promotion to 2nd Dan. Our patterns went smoothly with only minor mistakes. The examinations continued with pre-arranged sparring and self-defense, where I focused mainly on avoiding confusion and maintaining concentration. Next came special techniques and power breaking. Lenka did not have to perform the jumping techniques, something I admit I envied at times. Fortunately, power breaking went well for both of us, as it had always been one of our stronger areas. The final part was theory. Lenka answered questions about the life of General Choi Hong-hi, while I was asked to describe the Sujik Sogi stance. Apart from forgetting to mention locked knees, my answer was considered correct. Lenka earned 65 points and received a tie from Grand Master Hwang in recognition of one of the strongest 2nd Dan examinations. I finished with 63 points, a result that pleased me greatly. Out of all 37 candidates, four failed their 1st Dan examinations after scoring only 58 points. Looking back, the entire weekend was demanding, inspiring, and unforgettable. Author: Korty Ladies’ Ride – Czech National Championships 2015 The 2015 Czech National Championships took place in Nymburk from November 13–15. Our delegation included competitors Denisa Tkáčová and Lucie Kratochvílová, while I attended as coach. Supporting the event were our referees Lenka, Korty, Kuba, and Radek. Lucie competed on Saturday and Denisa on Sunday. Both entered all four disciplines: patterns, sparring, special techniques, and power breaking. The categories were large and competitive, making every medal particularly valuable. Lucie began with patterns and advanced through several rounds before reaching the final. After a close contest, she earned an excellent silver medal. She then moved on to special techniques, where only two of the ten competitors qualified for the final. After several tie-break rounds, Lucie secured another silver medal. Power breaking followed. Among ten competitors, only three qualified for the final round. After a lengthy series of tiebreakers, Lucie claimed bronze. The final discipline was sparring. In her first bout, she fought through regulation time, overtime, and finally won on a golden point. In the final, she defeated her opponent convincingly and captured the gold medal. By the end of the day, Lucie had achieved medals in all four disciplines, making her the most versatile senior female competitor at the championships. Denisa competed on Sunday. She showed significant improvement in patterns, advancing through two rounds before losing to the eventual champion. Unfortunately, she failed to qualify in special techniques. However, power breaking once again demonstrated her dominance. She qualified comfortably and then successfully broke all required techniques. Even after multiple tie-break rounds, she remained flawless and defended her gold medal once more. In sparring, she faced her long-time rival. Their record had previously been tied at 2–2, but this time the victory went to her opponent. Even so, the rivalry remained far from over, and everyone expected another match in the future. Author: Radek Training Camp in Třemošnice From November 6–8, 2015, we held our autumn training camp in Třemošnice. Having already trained there before, we knew we would benefit from the excellent accommodation, quality meals, and spacious gymnasium. Thirty-two Taekwon-Do practitioners attended, all determined to improve their skills. The camp focused on preparation for grading examinations and the Czech National Championships, but technical development remained the primary objective. Training began on Friday evening with basic kicking drills. Throughout the weekend, participants practiced jumping techniques, special techniques, movement, patterns, sparring, and fundamental technical skills. Saturday featured three demanding training sessions. The final evening session concentrated on agility, basic gymnastics, falls, rolls, and ground fighting. By Sunday morning, fatigue was visible on nearly every participant, yet everyone continued to work hard. The concluding sessions focused on patterns, precision kicking, and board breaking. Three students completed grading examinations, while Lenka and Korty underwent their black-belt pre-assessments ahead of their upcoming Dan examinations in December. There were still corrections to make, but both were progressing well. The final training block covered self-defense techniques before everyone helped clean up and returned home. As always, the camp combined hard work, friendship, and a positive atmosphere that made the entire weekend a success. Author: Radek STM Meeting The autumn STM testing event took place in Brno on October 3–4, 2015. A total of 143 talented young athletes from across the Czech Republic gathered at the university campus in Bohunice. Saturday included registration, weigh-ins, and an educational lecture about the origins of Taekwon-Do presented by federation president Martin Zámečník. Sunday was devoted entirely to competition. Thanks to excellent organization and sufficient numbers of referees and competition rings, the event finished by late afternoon. Our club was represented by referees Radek, Lenka, Kuba, Korty, and Radek, while Denisa was our sole competitor. Patterns, special techniques, and sparring did not go as planned for her, but she more than made up for it in power breaking. There she demonstrated her usual strength and precision, earning a gold medal. Author: Radek City Festival 2015 During the city celebrations in Pardubice, we spent two days presenting Taekwon-Do to the public in Pernštýn Square. Friday’s program was aimed at elementary school classes. Between 8:00 a.m. and noon, nineteen classes visited our demonstration area. Together with Lenka and Kuba, I spent ten-minute sessions introducing students to various aspects of Taekwon-Do. Jáchym and Jirka also helped demonstrate techniques, which made it easier for younger children to participate and identify with the demonstrations. Saturday featured our traditional demonstration performance. Although our exhibition team was slightly smaller than in previous years, the participants were exceptionally well prepared. The performance included patterns, kicking demonstrations, special techniques, board breaking, and Denisa’s always popular breaking corridor. The event was professionally hosted by Jiří, who once again kept the audience engaged throughout the presentation. Many thanks belong to everyone who participated and helped create another successful demonstration of Taekwon-Do. Author: Radek A Journey with a Little Nervousness On July 26, 2015, Lucie and I traveled to Sklárna near Žihle to attend Dan examinations for ranks from 1st to 5th Dan. The examination board was chaired by Grand Master Hwang Ho-jong (9th Dan) and included Master Rostislav Kaňka (7th Dan), federation president Martin Zámečník (6th Dan), and technical committee chairman Milan Prokeš (5th Dan). This examination was particularly significant for me because it was my test for 5th Dan—the highest level at which all sections of the examination are still required. Examinations for 6th and 7th Dan consist only of patterns, making 3rd and 5th Dan among the most physically demanding tests in Taekwon-Do. Before arriving, we stopped for lunch. I attempted to calm my nerves by eating a full meal and dessert, only to regret it later while stretching before the examination. I approached the grading as an opportunity to perform at a level I could be proud of. My examination began after nearly two hours of waiting. Following the patterns, I completed knife-defense drills and self-defense techniques with national team coach Honza Chaloupka as my partner. Fortunately, I survived without being stabbed. Next came a flying reverse turning kick, which I used to break a board held in one hand. The final challenge was power breaking. I successfully broke three boards with both Sonkal Dung and Twimyo Dolmyo Chagi techniques. At the end, I received 66 points and personal praise from Grand Master Hwang. Only Honza Chaloupka scored higher with 67 points. Considering that he was a multiple European Champion, I was happy with the comparison. Another candidate matched my score despite being significantly older, earning my greatest respect for his exceptional performance. My hope is that when I reach his age, I will still be practicing Taekwon-Do at such a high level. Author: Radek Swimming and Sunbathing at Training Camp From June 5–7, 2015, we once again held our summer training camp in Horní Bradlo. Thanks to excellent weather, it truly felt like a summer camp in every sense of the word. Besides training sessions, we spent our free time swimming in a pleasantly refreshing pool, relaxing, enjoying good food, and talking about all the things that the busy training year usually leaves no time for. The children seemed to have endless energy, spending hours running around and playing their favorite game, “Zombie.” None of the adults could quite understand where they found the strength to keep going. As Korty jokingly called us during one of the line-ups, the camp was led by two “sabonims” – Martin Svitek from Prague and myself. Our main goal was to improve reactions, blocking skills, and attacking techniques. We started immediately with Friday evening’s outdoor session on a beautifully mowed field that practically invited us to train on it. In addition to practicing various forms of Yop Chagi, we spent a great deal of time working on blocking drills. After repeated defenses against attacks aimed at different target areas, bruises gradually began appearing on everyone’s forearms. Following dinner, we spent some time discussing Taekwon-Do before relaxing with board games and other social activities. Saturday began with morning exercise followed by a buffet-style breakfast where everyone could find something they enjoyed. The morning training session, led by Martin, once again took place outdoors. The combination of demanding kicking practice and strong sunshine made us sweat long before we expected to. The focus was on correct body mechanics and efficient use of the body when executing attacking kicks. After lunch, the participants divided into groups. The lower belts trained basic techniques, patterns, movement, and conditioning exercises with me. Later, the higher belts warmed up under Kuba’s supervision before moving into sparring preparation. We spent much of the session practicing attacks, defenses, and reaction drills while wearing protective equipment, finishing with free sparring. Immediately afterward, Martin conducted a one-hour self-defense session. The swimming pool became very popular once again after training, followed by a traditional barbecue with sausages and hot dogs. While the younger participants continued playing their zombie games until late into the evening, Kuba, Denisa, Patrik, Karel, and Korty decided that training had not been enough and went for a run combined with additional strength exercises. Sunday morning started once more with a group warm-up at 7:30 a.m. After breakfast, the final technical training session focused on grading requirements. Martin worked with the lower belts while I led the higher ranks together with Korty. The camp concluded with a short pre-grading assessment before everyone returned home. By lunchtime, fatigue was clearly visible. Many participants wore the unmistakable expression of people whose bodies and minds had reached their limits. Nevertheless, everyone left with improved skills, valuable experience, and new motivation. Hopefully, we will all meet again at future camps to continue improving both our techniques and our understanding of Taekwon-Do. Author: Radek Sonkal Open 2015 On May 30, 2015, competitors from nineteen schools across the Czech Republic, joined by a team from Slovakia, gathered in Prague for the increasingly popular Sonkal Open tournament. A total of 210 athletes participated, and thanks to multiple event entries, the number of starts rose to an impressive 295. Our club was represented by Tomáš “Tomíno” Růžička and Martin “Marťas” Špaňúr, both of whom already had experience at this event. They began their day in the patterns competition, facing strong opposition from twenty-two competitors. Although neither athlete managed to advance from their groups, both demonstrated good technical performances and showed they could compete successfully with athletes of their age and rank. The sparring competition followed. Martin competed first and won two of his three matches, earning the opportunity to fight for a bronze medal later in the day. Although he narrowly missed out on the podium, he displayed excellent combinations, including a well-executed defense followed by an Ap Chagi and two clean punches. Tomíno performed equally well. His effective use of the stopping side kick and exceptional footwork stood out among the younger competitors. His movement was among the best seen in the children’s categories and demonstrated significant progress. Regardless of medals, the tournament provided exactly what Sonkal Open is known for—valuable experience and a friendly atmosphere where young athletes can learn and develop. Special thanks belong to Kuba Valtera and Radek Hlavinka, who worked tirelessly as referees until almost 9:30 in the evening when the competition finally concluded. Author: Lenka Součková Youth by the Elbe The third weekend of May, May 16–17, was dedicated to a gathering of talented young Taekwon-Do athletes in Nymburk. Our delegation included Radek, Lenka, Korty, Kuba, and myself as officials, while Denisa represented us as our only competitor. After registration and weigh-ins, participants attended a special program organized by the Youth Department of the federation. Thanks to the beautiful weather, activities took place outdoors on an artificial grass field. The young athletes even had the opportunity to meet four Taekwon-Do Grand Masters. Competition began at 3:00 p.m., and Denisa quickly demonstrated why she was considered one of the strongest competitors in her group. She captured gold medals in both sparring and power breaking while also contributing to several team medals. The weekend was not only about competition. On Saturday evening, coaches and assistants attended a lecture by Mgr. Tomáš Novohradský concerning important aspects of sports training for children and youth. The presentation was both informative and inspiring, providing many practical ideas that could be applied in future training. By the end of the weekend, Denisa once again returned home with an impressive collection of medals and valuable competition experience. Author: Radek Czech Open 2015 The Czech Open 2015 took place on March 28–29 and attracted 320 competitors from nine countries. Although our delegation was small, it achieved excellent results. The competitors were Denisa Tkáčová, Lucie Kratochvílová, and myself, while Lenka, Korty, Radek Hlavinka, and Radek Kolář served as referees. Kuba joined us as both supporter and coach. Saturday began with patterns. Although none of us defeated our first opponents, I still managed to earn a bronze medal. Denisa quickly made up for the disappointment by dominating the power-breaking competition and claiming a gold medal. She followed this with a bronze medal in special techniques, narrowly missing an even higher placing. Sunday started with sparring. Denisa fought her way to another bronze medal. Lucie enjoyed even greater success. She won silver in power breaking, another silver in special techniques after several tie-break rounds, and finally completed her tournament with a gold medal in sparring. When my own events began, I once again struggled with the Ap Palkup breaking technique and realized it would require additional work in training. In sparring, I tried my best to stay competitive and follow my coach’s advice. The result was another bronze medal and a great deal of valuable experience. Looking back, the entire tournament was enjoyable, successful, and full of important lessons. Author: Lenka Havránková Grading Examinations and Seminar with Grand Master Hwang As always, grading examinations were preceded by pre-grading assessments held in Lanškroun and Pardubice, while members from Chrudim attended the Pardubice session. Those who successfully completed the assessment were eligible to take their official examination on March 26 under Grand Master Hwang Ho-yong. A total of twenty-four students from Pardubice, Lanškroun, and Chrudim stood before the Grand Master. Every candidate successfully passed and earned either a new belt or an additional stripe signifying progress toward the next rank. Grand Master Hwang specifically praised the performances of Andreas Ježek and Jakub Koutský. I would also like to highlight five-year-old Šimon Pešek, whose effort and determination were remarkable. Following the examinations, a group photograph was taken before everyone participated in a seminar led by Grand Master Hwang. Since the seminar was open to all belt levels, it focused primarily on fundamental techniques and movements. The Grand Master frequently invited participants to demonstrate techniques, allowing everyone to see the difference between beginner and advanced execution. Black belts were often used as examples of nearly ideal technique. The seminar was both educational and motivating, reinforcing the importance of continuously refining the basics. Author: Radek Czech ITF Taekwon-Do Federation Cup On Friday the 13th, our group consisting of Kuba, Aleš, Lucie, Lenka, Korty, Radek, and myself traveled to Nymburk for the Czech ITF Taekwon-Do Federation Cup. Following registration and weigh-ins, competitors settled into their accommodations and prepared for the following day. Saturday began with patterns. I earned fourth place, feeling that my performance showed noticeable improvement compared to previous tournaments. Lucie confidently defeated both of her opponents and captured a gold medal. Kuba and Aleš also performed strongly, with Aleš narrowly outperforming Kuba and claiming bronze. After lunch, sparring began. I successfully won my category and added another gold medal, performing more confidently than in previous competitions. Lucie was unfortunately the only competitor in her category and therefore had no sparring matches, although she quickly found plenty to do as a coach. Kuba showed significant improvement in sparring, while Aleš fought well against heavier opponents and came very close to earning a medal. The weekend combined competition, laughter, friendship, and valuable experience. Looking back, everyone enjoyed a successful Friday the 13th and Valentine’s weekend surrounded by Taekwon-Do. Author: Denisa Tkáčová 2014 National Seminar On December 13, 2014, the traditional National Taekwon-Do Seminar took place in Brno. Alongside me, Korty, Kuba Koutský, and Radek Hlavinka attended the event. The seminar began with a theoretical session led by Grand Master Hwang, who then supervised the practical training while delegating the main instructional responsibilities to his assistants. One group, led by Master Rostislav Kaňka, focused on special techniques. Participants practiced various methods of take-off, jumping mechanics, and preparatory exercises designed to improve performance in flying kicks and special techniques. Another group trained with Martin Zámečník, continuing a format introduced the previous year that focused on falls, rolls, and self-defense techniques. The final section of the seminar featured stretching and flexibility training under the guidance of Petr Smejkal. The seminar provided valuable insights into several areas of Taekwon-Do training and offered participants an opportunity to broaden their technical knowledge beyond regular club practice. Author: Radek Eight Brave Competitors, Eight Medals, and an Absolute National Champion The Czech National Championships took place in Brno from November 14–16, 2014. Our team consisted of eight competitors: Denisa Tkáčová, Lenka Havránková, Petr Hanák, Pepa, Patrik, Aleš, Jakub Valtera, Jakub Koutský, and, temporarily competing for another club, Korty and Lucie Kratochvílová. Lenka and Radek served as referees, while I attended as coach. Friday was dedicated to registration, accommodation, weigh-ins, and, most importantly for some competitors, dinner. Competition began on Saturday morning. In the team patterns event, our athletes advanced all the way to the final after defeating Il-Kyok’s team—which happened to include Korty—in the semi-final. They eventually finished with a silver medal after losing to a team composed entirely of black belts from Prague. Jakub Koutský added a bronze medal in individual patterns, while other competitors narrowly missed podium positions but gained valuable experience. Another bronze medal came in team special techniques, and Aleš earned bronze in sparring after losing only to a former Czech national team member and Junior European Champion. Pepa added a silver medal in sparring later that evening. Despite these excellent results, the best was yet to come. On Sunday, Korty earned bronze in self-defense and another bronze medal in team patterns while competing for a different team. Lucie, representing her host club in Brno, collected silver in special techniques, bronze in sparring, and several additional team medals. However, the star of the weekend was undoubtedly Denisa Tkáčová. Her patterns performance was good but not quite enough for a medal. Everything changed when sparring began. Wearing her lucky white feather, Denisa fought through three opponents to win her first gold medal of the weekend. Despite suffering a bruised knee during the competition, she immediately moved on to power breaking and earned gold medal number two. She was somewhat disappointed that none of the other eight competitors managed to qualify for the final round, leaving her without direct competition. Fortunately, another challenge awaited. In special techniques, she produced another outstanding performance and captured her third gold medal. Three gold medals from four disciplines could mean only one thing: Pardubice had a new Absolute Czech National Champion in Junior B division. More important than the medals themselves were the performances, experience gained, and team spirit displayed throughout the weekend. Everyone supported one another, kept their sense of humor, and represented the club with pride. Author: Radek Autumn Training Camp From October 31 to November 2, 2014, we held our autumn training camp in Třemošnice for the first time. The change of location proved to be an excellent choice. A large sports hall allowed us to create multiple training groups simultaneously, giving all thirty participants plenty of space to practice. The Friday evening session began in a rather cold gymnasium, which we quickly warmed up through movement and training. Later that evening we held a tournament in a game known as “Čičong,” which I had the honor of winning. The camp focused on preparation for grading examinations and the Czech National Championships. The program included technical improvement in patterns, sparring movement, power breaking, self-defense, and Taekwon-Do theory. By Saturday evening many participants were visibly tired, but everyone continued working hard. The effort paid off, and by the end of the camp seven students successfully completed their grading examinations. The final preparations for the upcoming National Championships also went well. For the first time in several years, we would again enter a senior team competition, giving everyone something extra to look forward to. Special thanks belong to all instructors, assistants, and participants who helped organize the camp and left the facilities in excellent condition. The camp manager even praised our cleanup efforts before departure. Author: Radek STM Meeting and Two Silver Medals The second STM (Talent Development Centre) event of 2014 took place in Ostrava. The weekend was divided into two parts. Saturday’s program was managed by the Youth Department, while Sunday’s competitions were organized by the Competition Department. Our delegation included referees Radek, Lenka, Korty, Kuba, and myself, while Denisa represented us as the sole athlete. Saturday featured an interesting activity organized by me. Participants were divided into ten exhibition teams of approximately seventeen members each. Every team was tasked with creating and rehearsing a Taekwon-Do demonstration. The resulting performances were highly creative and several were exceptionally impressive. Later that evening, coaches attended a seminar led by Tomáš Novohradský, focusing on developing speed in young athletes. Through a combination of theory and practical exercises, we learned how to improve speed naturally and effectively in children of different age groups. Sunday belonged to competition. Denisa narrowly missed a medal in patterns but more than compensated elsewhere. She won a silver medal in power breaking, finishing ahead of nearly every black-belt competitor except one. She matched that achievement in sparring, reaching the final before narrowly losing to an experienced black belt from Northern Moravia. With only ten seconds remaining, the match was tied. Unfortunately, a chaotic exchange of punches and kicks decided the outcome in favor of her opponent. Despite the defeat, it was one of Denisa’s best performances of the year. Author: Radek Demonstration at Pernštýn Square On October 4, 2014, our club presented another public Taekwon-Do demonstration at Pernštýn Square in Pardubice. The performance was a success, and once again we received enthusiastic support from spectators. The city itself praised the quality of our presentation. Although I was one of the newest members of the Pardubice club at the time, I immediately felt welcome. The positive atmosphere, friendly people, and enthusiastic spirit that surrounded the demonstration made a lasting impression on me. Author: Lucie Kratochvílová Coaches’ Weekend On May 24–25, 2014, a Coaches’ Weekend was held in Prštice near Brno. Representing Pardubice were Lenka, Aleš, Korty, Kuba, and myself. The event was led by Libor Macháň (5th Dan) and Milan Prokeš (5th Dan), who guided more than thirty future coaches through an intensive educational program. The first lecture covered sports medicine and injury prevention, delivered by surgeon and trauma specialist Dr. Marian Hraničář. Participants learned about common training injuries, recognition of symptoms, and methods of prevention. Afterward, attention shifted back to Taekwon-Do with practical training sessions. Another fascinating presentation was given by physiotherapist Mgr. Kateřina Kottková, who introduced participants to kinesiology taping. The practical demonstration left many attendees decorated with colorful therapeutic tape. Perhaps the most popular session was delivered by Mgr. Tomáš Novohradský, who explained modern principles of sports training. His practical exercises were educational, interactive, and highly enjoyable. Evenings were filled with lectures on Taekwon-Do history and theory delivered by Milan Prokeš, followed by written examinations covering the course material. The weekend concluded with practical coaching examinations and a final lecture on first aid from Dr. Mikušová. Participants then completed their final tests successfully. The result was the certification of several new coaches who would continue helping develop Taekwon-Do in their clubs. Author: Petr Hanák Horní Bradlo Training Camp 2014 From June 6–8, 2014, we gathered once again at the familiar guesthouse U Kozlů in the beautiful Železné Mountains. The camp began with an intense conditioning session led by Radek. Strength exercises occupied much of the first afternoon and ensured nobody had excessive energy left afterward. Evening activities included quizzes about Taekwon-Do history and club traditions, social games, and plenty of good humor. Some participants managed to stay awake late into the night, while others collapsed long before midnight after the demanding training. Saturday’s program focused primarily on sparring and self-defense under the guidance of Martin Svitek (4th Dan) from Sonkal Prague. His practical approach included both sporting applications and real-world self-defense situations, making the training highly engaging and realistic. Several participants enjoyed the training so much that they continued practicing techniques long after the official sessions had ended. Sunday featured training in three groups according to rank. Activities included patterns, power breaking, self-defense, and technical corrections. Despite the hot weather, participants were able to cool off regularly in the swimming pool, which was especially popular with the younger members. The camp concluded with conditioning exercises, games, football, table tennis, more swimming, and farewells. As always, the atmosphere was outstanding, the food was plentiful and homemade, and everyone returned home a little more skilled—and a little more tired—than when they arrived. Author: Jiří Ropek SONKAL OPEN 2014 On May 17, 2014, the traditional Sonkal Open tournament took place in Prague’s Petřiny district. Among the 156 competitors, including athletes from Slovakia and Latvia, representatives of our school were also present. Four youth competitors attended the event: Martin Špaňur and Tomáš Růžička, competing for the second time, and Denis and Alex Ježek from Chrudim, who were making their competition debut. Following weigh-ins, registration, and the official opening ceremony, the competition began with the children’s patterns divisions. The blue-belt category was split into two groups of six competitors, placing Martin and Tomáš in separate divisions. Tomáš performed first and demonstrated consistent, well-balanced performances throughout all of his matches. Martin followed shortly afterward and also showed strong technical skills, giving performances that reflected the quality of his training. Before lunch, the yellow-belt categories took to the competition area. Denis and Alex competed in different groups, as the category had been divided into seven sections. Both brothers showed tremendous determination and enthusiasm. In a fitting display of their twin connection, both earned a draw in their very first matches. Alex also recorded an impressive 5–0 victory during one of his bouts. The afternoon was dedicated to sparring. Tomáš’s category contained four competitors, while Martin’s category had three, allowing both groups to compete simultaneously while still having adequate recovery time between matches. It was clear that both athletes were still developing their tactical understanding and competitive experience, but they managed to execute several successful techniques and ultimately earned bronze medals. More importantly, they gained valuable lessons about strategy, ring awareness, and the importance of listening carefully to coaching advice. Special thanks belong to our referees, Korty and Kuba, who spent the entire day judging matches, as well as to all the parents who provided encouragement, support, and excellent background assistance throughout the tournament. Although not everything went perfectly, the boys performed admirably and demonstrated that they will soon be ready to compete successfully against junior-level opponents. Author: Lenka Součková Gold in Power Breaking Was Simply Expected! On March 22–23, 2014, we traveled in force to Nymburk for the annual Czech Open 2014. Our delegation included Lenka, Korty, Kuba, Radek, and myself as referees, while Denisa Tkáčová, Petr Hanák, and Karel attended as competitors. Karel also assisted with coaching duties. Denisa began her tournament much as she had the previous year, narrowly missing out on a medal in patterns. However, she quickly made up for that disappointment in the remaining disciplines. In sparring, she defeated every opponent she faced and earned a gold medal. She repeated that success in power breaking, once again confirming our club’s strong tradition in this discipline. Her only disappointment came in the special techniques competition, where an error in her stepping pattern prevented her from successfully completing the qualifying technique, Nomo Chagi. Fortunately, her earlier successes more than compensated for this setback. Denisa was not our only medal winner. Karel, competing in his first major tournament, earned an impressive bronze medal in patterns. His journey was stopped only by a Korean competitor from the embassy, whose performances were so dominant that they reminded many people of Korean athletes competing at World Championships. Our final medal came courtesy of Petr Hanák, who earned bronze in sparring. He narrowly lost a match against a Slovak national team member, but his performance included several successful techniques—particularly Dolmyo Dollyo Chagi—that we had worked hard to develop in training. As a result, his overall performance was viewed very positively. Finally, thanks must go to all the referees for their hard work and to our friends from the former branch club in Náměšť nad Oslavou for their support and assistance with coaching. Author: Radek Grading Examinations and Seminar with Grand Master Hwang Once again, we had the honor of welcoming Professor Hwang Ho-jong (9th Dan) to Pardubice on March 18, 2014. Professor Hwang was not only the International Instructor for the Czech Republic but also served as Chairman of the Technical and Education Committee of the International Taekwon-Do Federation and as a Senior Vice President of the ITF. Because of his position and reputation, it was a privilege for all members of our school to spend an entire day training under his guidance. The event began with grading examinations. For the first time, members of our newly established branch in Chrudim participated alongside students from Pardubice and Lanškroun. A total of thirty-six candidates attempted promotion examinations, with some students advancing by two grades at once. Every candidate passed successfully. Several achieved outstanding scores of 66 points, while Grand Master Hwang specifically praised the exceptionally high standard demonstrated by the white belts. Considering that participants ranged in age from very young children to adults more than fifty years older than the youngest examinees, the overall level was particularly impressive. The examinations were followed by a seminar. Grand Master Hwang focused on fundamental techniques and their practical applications. He explained body positioning, tactical choices, and categories of attacks in great detail. Participants practiced punches, strikes, and basic kicking techniques while receiving corrections and insights directly from one of the world’s most respected Taekwon-Do masters. The seminar was both educational and inspiring, leaving everyone eager for the next opportunity to train with him. Author: Radek Regional Seminar in Kolín – February 2014 On February 21, 2014, Kuba, Jirka, and I traveled to Kolín for another regional seminar with Grand Master Hwang Ho-jong. The seminar focused primarily on techniques and drills used in sparring. We practiced various forms of two-step sparring, beginning with traditional versions and progressing to more advanced stationary variations featuring multiple attacks. The training then continued with one-step sparring and semi-free sparring exercises. Throughout the seminar, participants repeatedly demonstrated their work in front of Grand Master Hwang and the rest of the group. This provided valuable opportunities for correction and feedback while allowing everyone to learn from one another’s strengths and mistakes. Author: Radek First Regional Seminar of 2014 The first regional seminar for Eastern Bohemia took place in Kolín on January 31, 2014, under the leadership of Grand Master Hwang Ho-yong. Nearly forty Taekwon-Do practitioners attended, including instructors from seven different schools. After a brief warm-up, the seminar focused on fundamental techniques. Grand Master Hwang spent considerable time explaining the mechanics of the body, hands, and feet, placing particular emphasis on the execution of Bandae Dollyo Chagi. Unsatisfied with the initial standard, he had participants repeat and refine the kick for more than ten minutes until he was satisfied with the results. The second part of the seminar covered patterns from Chon-Ji through Choong-Moo. Within each pattern, Grand Master Hwang highlighted techniques that commonly contained mistakes and demonstrated their practical applications. Rather than simply practicing isolated movements, participants explored combinations from patterns such as Dan-Gun and learned how they functioned in realistic situations. For many people, performing these applications with proper timing and rhythm proved more challenging than traditional step-sparring exercises. Nevertheless, it was an extremely valuable learning experience and provided a deeper understanding of the practical purpose behind the movements. Author: Radek Christmas Stretching – Winter Training Camp On December 28–29, 2013, participants gathered in Slatiňany for our first-ever winter training camp. Some attendees initially believed the camp would consist mainly of light stretching and recovery after Christmas. Those hopes disappeared quickly. The goal was simple: burn off the extra holiday calories and return to training in earnest. The opening session concentrated heavily on kicking drills, supported by conditioning exercises designed to improve movement and coordination. The afternoon divided participants into groups, with advanced students training sparring while lower belts focused on their grading syllabus. Everyone, however, shared the same warm-up and movement fundamentals. The evening session introduced self-defense concepts, vital points of the body, and applications against attacks such as Dollyo Chagi. Social activities followed, including Taekwon-Do-themed charades competition and a lesson in using chopsticks. For several participants it was their first experience, and it produced plenty of laughter. As a Christmas gift, everyone was excused from the usual early-morning warm-up. Sunday’s training focused on grading requirements and new techniques before participants split into smaller groups to learn additional patterns. After two productive and enjoyable days, everyone returned home confident that they had ended 2013 by accomplishing something meaningful and worthwhile. Author: Radek 2013 National Technical Seminar – “We All Survived, and I Was Reborn for the Second Time” December 7, 2013, brought another important event to the already crowded calendars of Czech Taekwon-Do practitioners: the annual National Technical Seminar. Every year, students and instructors from across the country gather to train together, exchange experience, and deepen their understanding of Taekwon-Do. Despite difficult winter weather conditions, more than one hundred participants representing the majority of Czech Taekwon-Do schools managed to attend. Our delegation consisted of Lenka, Korty, Kuba, and myself. After the opening ceremony and recitation of the Taekwon-Do oath, participants were divided into two groups according to rank. Technical Training with Grand Master Hwang Red belts and 1st Dan holders trained under the guidance of Grand Master Hwang Ho-yong (9th Dan), assisted by Rostislav Kaňka (6th Dan) and Ondřej Vrábel (5th Dan). The focus was on basic techniques and patterns from Chon-Ji through Joong-Gun. Grand Master Hwang devoted considerable attention to rhythm within patterns. Despite repeated explanations, many participants struggled to achieve consistent timing. Eventually, Grand Master Hwang reached for his most powerful training tool: the Czech national anthem. Whether the participants performed patterns with greater rhythm than they sang “Kde domov můj” remains debatable, but everyone certainly understood the lesson. Falls, Throws, and Ground Fighting Meanwhile, practitioners holding 2nd Dan and above remained on the tatami mats for a session led by Martin Zámečník (6th Dan). Training covered: Forward falls, Side falls, Falls over obstacles, Rolling breakfalls, Throws, Sweeps, Ground-fighting preparation Martin carefully explained every exercise with the intention that participants would be able to introduce similar training at their home schools. Naturally, not everyone executed the techniques as elegantly as he did, and many participants left with a few additional aches and bruises. I partnered with Libor Macháň (5th Dan), who outweighed and outgrew me by approximately ten kilograms and ten centimeters. Fortunately, he was extremely gentle. Every throw felt as if I were being carefully laid into bed by my parents rather than launched onto a mat. Watching some of the other pairs, however, made my back hurt in sympathy. The session concluded with several rounds of ground sparring. A Very Close Demonstration After lunch and a group photograph, the training groups switched. The higher Dan holders now trained patterns from Kwang-Gae through Juche with Grand Master Hwang. Each pattern was practiced multiple times, both with and without counting. During the session, Grand Master Hwang answered technical questions and demonstrated practical applications. One demonstration remains unforgettable. Using me as a volunteer, he explained a kicking sequence from Kwang-Gae Tul involving Noollo Chagi followed by Yopcha Jirugi. The first kick stopped directly against my knee. The second stopped perhaps half a millimeter from my nose. I simply froze while everyone else stared in amazement. At that moment, I genuinely felt as though I had been born for the second time. Later, Grand Master Hwang demonstrated Najunde Bituro Chagi, once again stopping a powerful kick with incredible precision only millimeters from its target. It was a vivid reminder that true mastery involves complete control rather than brute force. Final Training Session The last hour divided participants once more. Grand Master Hwang worked with 5th Dan holders and above, practicing the 6th Dan patterns So-San and Se-Jong. Everyone else trained under Martin Svitek (4th Dan), who focused on foot mechanics, movement efficiency, stretching, and compensatory exercises. He explained how modern lifestyles and even Taekwon-Do training can overload particular muscle groups and demonstrated effective ways to restore balance. The seminar concluded successfully, leaving everyone tired, inspired, and considerably wiser. Author: Radek International Seminar for Referees and Coaches From November 22–24, 2013, Prague hosted a European seminar for referees and coaches. The event took place at the Aquapalace Hotel complex in Čestlice, offering participants excellent facilities and opportunities for relaxation after training. The seminar was led by: Grand Master Hwang Ho-yong (9th Dan) Senior Master Michael Prewett (8th Dan, Wales) Among the distinguished guests were: Wayne Brown (8th Dan, United Kingdom) Paul Dekker (7th Dan, Netherlands) Friday – Competition Rules Senior Master Prewett opened the seminar with a comprehensive review of competition regulations covering all five official disciplines: Patterns Sparring Self-defense Special techniques Power breaking Saturday – Technical Training Saturday featured a demanding seven-hour technical session led by Grand Master Hwang. After reviewing the Theory of Power and movement principles, participants practiced patterns from Chon-Ji all the way through Moon-Moo. Problematic techniques and common mistakes were analyzed and corrected. Practical applications were also demonstrated, emphasizing that patterns are not simply choreographed exercises but represent combat scenarios against one or more opponents. Many participants spent the evening recovering in the hotel’s sauna facilities after such an intensive day. Sunday – Practical Judging The final day focused on the practical responsibilities of referees. Particular attention was given to: Scoring individual patterns Team patterns Judging procedures Competition management Sparring evaluation The discussions proved highly valuable because coaches and referees were able to exchange perspectives and clarify difficult situations. All participants received certificates at the end of the seminar. However, the weekend still was not over. Many guests remained in Prague for an additional regional seminar, where they trained alongside Grand Master Hwang, Wayne Brown, and Paul Dekker. The program included patterns, step sparring, and advanced jumping spinning kicks before concluding with an additional training session led by Master Wayne Brown. For me, it was an entire weekend dedicated to Taekwon-Do. Lenka, Korty, and Jakub joined for the Saturday program. Author: Radek Regional Seminar in Kolín On November 15, 2013, another regional seminar took place in Kolín. Joining me were: Korty, Jakub Valtera, Jakub Koutský Although heavy traffic meant we arrived only moments before the start, we made it just in time. Grand Master Hwang began with an energetic kicking session before moving on to patterns tailored to each participant’s grading level. The final section differed depending on rank: Colored belts practiced self-defense. Black belts trained knife-defense techniques. The seminar concluded with special techniques involving jumping and spinning kicks, some of which were exceptionally demanding. Author: Radek Do Bruises Belong to Training Camps? From October 26–28, 2013, we held our autumn training camp in Slatiňany. Almost forty practitioners attended, ranging from white belts to 4th Dan black belts. In addition to members from Pardubice, Lanškroun, and Chrudim, we welcomed nine guests from Il-Kyok in Náměšť nad Oslavou. Their instructor, Tomáš Kuba (4th Dan), shared some of his training methods with us. Together with Aleš, Lenka, Korty, and Dominik, he helped run the intensive program. The camp focused heavily on: Sparring movement Reaction training Kicking in motion Blocking drills Conditioning Self-defense Ground fighting After countless blocking exercises, bruises began appearing across everyone’s forearms. By the end of the weekend, almost every participant carried at least one reminder of the hard work invested. Saturday evening included a Taekwon-Do knowledge competition and a birthday celebration for Tomáš. Sunday continued with: Obstacle courses Patterns Moving kicks Hand-only sparring Grading syllabus practice Vital-point applications Self-defense techniques The final morning was dedicated to pre-grading, examinations, and practice of special jumping techniques. Alongside all the training, the camp maintained the friendly atmosphere that has always been one of its greatest strengths. Author: Radek STM Meeting in Ostrava The second Talent Development Centre (STM) meeting of the year took place in Ostrava, and with it another successful season of these traditional youth events came to a close. The event was organized over two days, with the Youth Department preparing Saturday’s activities and the Competition Department managing Sunday’s tournament program. A total of 154 talented athletes from five regional talent centres attended. Saturday began with lunch and weigh-ins. For some sparring competitors, however, the schedule looked slightly different: weigh-in, running to lose weight, another weigh-in, and only then lunch. After setting up the competition area, everyone took part in a joint training session led by Martin Svitek and assisted by coaches from the various centres. Participants practiced demonstration techniques, precision kicking drills using suspended balls, sparring exercises, and even a mini competition involving action-scene choreography. Some athletes demonstrated enough enthusiasm to become the next generation of martial arts action heroes. Following training, coaches and assistants attended a seminar led by Honza Klaška and Honza Mráček. The topic was pad work, including the correct use of focus pads, choosing appropriate equipment for different drills, movement while holding pads, and other important coaching principles. After dinner, some centres made use of the hotel’s facilities and relaxed in the swimming pool and whirlpool. Sunday was competition day. Events included: Self-defense, Patterns, Sparring, Special techniques, Power breaking Among the juniors, Martin Brabenec from STM Prague II was one of the most successful competitors, earning two gold medals and one bronze. Among the junior girls, Eliška Hradílková from Northern Moravia captured three gold medals. The strongest performers in the children’s divisions were Ondřej Postl from South Bohemia and Michaela Bártů from Prague II. The overall team victory went to STM Prague II, followed by STM Northern Moravia and STM South Bohemia. Our delegation consisted of five referees: Lenka, Korty, Kuba, Radek, and myself. We also brought one competitor, Petr Hanák, who competed despite a badly injured knee and therefore participated only in team disciplines. He earned a bronze medal in self-defense and silver medals in both team sparring and team power breaking. Author: Radek Seminar with Grand Master Hwang in Kolín On October 18, 2013, another seminar with Grand Master Hwang took place in Kolín. This time, Jakub, Radek, and I attended. Grand Master Hwang certainly did not allow us to take it easy. The entire seminar focused on sparring-related training. We began with two-step sparring and gradually progressed through one-step sparring to various spinning techniques used in free sparring. The training was intensive and physically demanding. By the time I returned home, I was so exhausted that I fell asleep almost immediately. Author: Radek Greetings from Slovenia Greetings to all Taekwon-Do practitioners! I would like to share some impressions from my first training session here in Slovenia after a long break from regular practice. First of all, Slovenia is fantastic. I would definitely recommend organizing a training camp here. There are plenty of opportunities for mountain training—perhaps even Yop Chagi practice on the slopes of Triglav, Slovenia’s highest mountain at 2,864 meters. On Friday, I attended my first training session with the Ljubljana-based club Škorpijon. The club practices traditional ITF Taekwon-Do and is led by Ismet Ičanović (5th Dan), coach of the Slovenian national team. Unfortunately, I arrived fifteen minutes late because finding the school complex and then locating the correct gym proved surprisingly difficult. Once I arrived, however, I changed into my dobok and joined the session. Since all the higher belts were away at competitions, I trained with the beginners. The instructor was an older but extremely friendly second-degree black belt. He welcomed me, told me to warm up, and then join the group. The training was very intense. During the ninety-minute session we alternated between conditioning exercises and kicking drills. After about ten minutes I honestly felt exhausted, although that may have been due to the heat in the gym, my current fitness level, or the very short breaks between exercises. Most Slovenians speak at least some English, so instructions were initially translated for me. Unfortunately, when I mentioned that I was Czech and had studied some Slovenian, everyone immediately switched to Slovenian. In retrospect, I probably should have admitted how little of it I understood. Training is available four to five times per week, though membership costs approximately €40 per month. Unfortunately, my school schedule prevents me from attending every session, so I may try to negotiate the price a little. To make matters worse, yesterday I sprained my ankle. It is currently about the size of Korty’s leg after one of his famous power-breaking attempts from years ago. Enjoy the training camp, train hard, follow the tenets of Taekwon-Do, and Taekwon! Author: Erik Us at Pernštýn Square! I would like to thank everyone who helped organize our demonstrations and promotional stand during the Pardubice City Festival on September 27–28, 2013. Friday Evening Our team of black belts—Aleš, Petr, Korty, Kuba, and myself—performed the first demonstration at 10:30 p.m. Lenka handled the filming, while Jirka, our usual photographer, apparently decided that sleep was more important. The outdoor temperature was only around 8°C, and we performed on an inline-skating surface specially installed for the festival. It was cold, our breath was visible, and our feet quickly froze, but we still delivered the planned seven-minute demonstration. Endurance training comes in many forms. Saturday Exhibition Saturday brought the main event. Our information stand opened early in the morning and displayed doboks, photographs, posters, protective equipment, boards, and various training materials. Throughout the day, Radek and Korty managed the stand, assisted by Lenka, Jirka, Kuba, Marek, and others. Aleš played a crucial role as the logistics specialist, transporting equipment throughout the day. At 4:40 p.m., our fourteen-member demonstration team entered the performance area: Radek,Aleš,Petr,Korty,Kuba,Lenka,Michal,Tomáš,Martin,Jirka,Denisa,Natálie,Honza,Jakub Jirka once again served as commentator. The program included: Chon-Ji Tul Three-step, two-step, and one-step sparring Target kicking combinations Do-San Tul Model sparring Knife defense Free sparring matches Self-defense demonstrations Team performance of Choong-Moo Tul and applications Special techniques Power breaking Highlights included flying kicks over obstacles, spinning kicks at targets, and board-breaking demonstrations. Every special technique was completed successfully, sending boards and cups flying through the air. The power breaking segment was equally successful. The audience response was excellent, and we look forward to presenting Taekwon-Do again in the future. Author: Radek September Seminar with Grand Master Hwang After the summer break, the first regional seminar with Grand Master Hwang took place in Kolín on September 20, 2013. Because Grand Master Hwang was suffering from a cold and could barely speak, I was asked to lead much of the practical instruction while he supervised and corrected techniques. Together with Radek and Kuba, we practiced patterns from Chon-Ji through Choong-Moo, followed by semi-free sparring exercises and several special jumping techniques. Despite his illness, Grand Master Hwang closely monitored everyone and provided valuable technical advice throughout the session. Author: Radek Grading Examinations On June 20, 2013, grading examinations were held in Pardubice. These were among the most demanding examinations I have ever conducted—not because of the students, but because of the heat. Temperatures in the gym exceeded 30°C (86°F), making conditions difficult for everyone. Sweat dripped from my forehead directly onto the grading forms. Korty, who was leading the group, remarked afterward: “I don’t think I sweat this much even during training.” The candidates had it even harder because they had to perform techniques and answer theory questions while enduring the heat. Despite the challenging conditions, everyone passed successfully and displayed impressive knowledge of both practical techniques and Taekwon-Do theory. They could therefore proudly celebrate their newly earned ranks. Author: Radek Learning to Block – Training Camp in Horní Bradlo From May 31 to June 2, 2013, our school held another successful training camp in Horní Bradlo. Twenty-five participants from five different cities attended, including students from Pardubice, Lanškroun, Chrudim, Il-Kyok, and Sonkal Prague. The main theme of the camp was blocking—from simple defensive applications to dynamic defensive reactions during movement. Friday evening focused on reaction drills and basic hand and foot blocks. Saturday continued with counterattacks and defensive combinations. A special guest instructor was Ondřej Vrábel (5th Dan) from Sonkal Prague, who conducted an excellent sparring movement workshop. The evening concluded with self-defense and knife-defense training led by the black belts. One memorable story involved three volunteers who decided to go running through the forest despite the rain. What was supposed to be a thirty-minute run turned into a full hour because nobody knew the way back. Eventually a game of rock-paper-scissors determined their route home—and luckily they chose correctly. Sunday included grading preparation, technical training, conditioning, stretching, and recovery exercises. One thing was obvious by lunchtime: everyone had learned to block correctly. Evidence could be found on nearly every participant’s forearms in the form of impressive bruises. The bruises eventually faded, but the knowledge gained remained much longer. Authors: Radek and Aleš Sonkal Open On May 18, 2013, we attended Sonkal Open in Prague for the first time. Originally, we planned only to provide referee support through Lenka, Kuba, Korty, and myself. However, we eventually brought competitors as well. Denisa earned a silver medal in patterns, while Martin and Tomáš attended their first-ever competition. Both boys battled considerable nerves but managed to perform well and gain valuable experience for future tournaments. For young athletes, that experience was perhaps even more valuable than a medal. Author: Radek Seminar in Kolín The first regional seminar led by Grand Master Hwang in 2013 took place on May 17 in Kolín. Along with me, Korty, Jakub, Erik, and Radek attended. Due to a delay at our meeting point and difficult traffic conditions in Pardubice, we arrived right at 6:00 p.m., the scheduled start time. Fortunately, Grand Master Hwang kindly waited a few minutes for us. To warm up, we began with a basketball game. Both teams played with great determination and skill, resulting in a very evenly matched contest. After warming up, the seminar focused on sparring techniques. We started with simple hand attacks such as punches, knife-hand strikes, and thrusts, before moving on to kicking techniques. From there, we progressed to double attacks using either hands or feet. Throughout the session, Grand Master Hwang continually emphasized proper distance, effective power generation, efficient blocking, and correct movement. The seminar concluded with several rounds of sparring. By the end, nobody had a dry shirt left, and most participants left satisfied and ready for another busy Taekwon-Do weekend. Author: Radek First National STM Gathering of 2013 The first STM (Talent Development Centre) event of 2013 took place in Nymburk on May 4–5. As usual, the weekend was jointly organized by the Youth Department, responsible for Saturday’s program, and the Competition Department, which managed Sunday’s events. Approximately 150 young athletes attended. Saturday began with lunch and registration for Sunday’s competition. Participants were then divided into two groups. One group took part in a large team activity called “Kobukson.” After learning about the famous Korean turtle ship, participants were assigned to teams and given clues they had to solve while searching various locations around the sports complex. The three most successful teams received sweet prizes. Meanwhile, the second group joined me, Honza Klaška, Honza Mráček, and several other instructors at the swimming pool. The session started with a formal line-up before moving into kicking drills, including Ap Chagi, Yop Chagi, and Ap Chagi Ollygi—even in the water. Participants also practiced transporting an unconscious person across the pool, though not every team succeeded equally well. Afterward, the groups switched activities. Later in the afternoon everyone gathered in a cinema hall to watch presentations about General Choi Hong-hi, the Grand Masters of Taekwon-Do, and the martial arts that influenced the creation of Taekwon-Do. At 4:00 p.m., instructors and assistants attended a special seminar on training games suitable for Taekwon-Do. Nearly thirty games were demonstrated, focusing on movement, strengthening, reactions, and coordination. Many coaches left with new ideas that would both challenge and entertain their students. In truth, we probably enjoyed the games as much as the children did. Sunday was devoted to competition. Representing us were Petr and Denisa, both of whom contributed valuable performances and helped their respective teams earn medals. Author: Radek Czech Open 2013 The Czech Open 2013 took place in Nymburk on April 6–7 and was highly successful for our club. We competed among 277 athletes from 31 organizations, including international participants. Our referees—Lenka, Jakub, and Korty—not only officiated throughout the event but also successfully renewed their referee licenses. For all three of our competitors, this was only their second tournament appearance. The patterns competition started with Denisa Tkáčová, who advanced until losing to a competitor from Frýdek-Místek. Thanks to the competition format, this result still earned her a bronze medal. Next came Erik Bolebruch in the blue-belt division. Erik defeated all of his opponents convincingly and won a gold medal. Another gold medal in patterns was earned by Jiří Alexa. Special techniques followed. Unfortunately, neither Denisa nor, later, Jiří and Erik managed to qualify for the finals due to difficulties with the Nomo Chagi distance kick. Sunday morning featured Erik’s sparring final. He led the match for most of the contest, but his opponent from Silla equalized late in the bout. Erik briefly regained the advantage before the opponent tied the score again with only five seconds remaining. Overtime did not go his way, but he still earned an impressive silver medal in his very first sparring tournament. The final event for the boys was power breaking. Erik qualified with Sonkal Yop Taerigi and went on to win a bronze medal. Jiří qualified with Dollyo Chagi and had an outstanding competition, successfully breaking almost every technique. Only Sonkal Yop Taerigi remained partially unbroken. As a result, Jiří captured a gold medal and upheld our club’s proud tradition in breaking events. In the overall Senior B rankings, Erik finished second and Jiří third. Author: Radek Color Belt Examinations On March 19, 2013, Kup grading examinations were held under the supervision of Grand Master Hwang Ho-yong (9th Dan). All candidates successfully passed and received their certificates directly from Grand Master Hwang. The highest average score of 66 points was achieved by:Karel Chuděj,Jan Matějka,Erik Bolebruch Special recognition also goes to Korty, who successfully fulfilled the role of examination commander throughout the event. Author: Radek Club Seminar with Grand Master Hwang Immediately following the grading examinations, Grand Master Hwang conducted a seminar for all participants. The seminar focused on: Fundamental techniques Body movement Power generation Effective application of force Grand Master Hwang repeatedly emphasized that once students truly master the fundamentals of Taekwon-Do, all other techniques become much easier to understand and perform correctly. For many participants, the explanations provided valuable insight into the deeper principles behind the art. Author: Radek Korean ITF Taekwon-Do Demonstration Team Visits the Czech Republic For those who were unable to attend the performance of the Korean ITF Demonstration Team in Prague, a television report was later made available. Although not every detail in the report was completely accurate, it provided a good overview of a remarkable event and showcased the skills of one of the world’s most respected demonstration teams. The visit also included the first-ever training session in the Czech Republic with members of the Korean National ITF Demonstration Team, giving local practitioners a unique opportunity to learn directly from elite performers. Author: Radek 2012 National Seminar On December 8, 2012, the annual National Seminar with Grand Master Hwang Ho-yong took place. Representing our club were Radek, Lenka, Petr, and Kuba. The program was divided into two three-hour training blocks. During the morning session, participants practiced patterns from Chon-Ji through Choong-Moo. The afternoon continued with advanced black-belt patterns, including Kwang-Gae, Po-Eun, and Ge-Baek. The technical training was followed by controlled and free sparring exercises as well as self-defense practice. The seminar provided an excellent opportunity to refine technical details and train alongside practitioners from across the country. Author: Radek Kolář We Even Made It Home! On November 16, 2012, another regional seminar with Grand Master Hwang was held in Kolín. Our group consisted of myself, Radek, Jakub, and our trusted driver, Korty. The journey to Kolín went smoothly and we arrived on time. As was tradition, the seminar began with a game of basketball. Once again, the team led by Grand Master Hwang emerged victorious, helped by his impressive scoring ability. The main part of the seminar focused on patterns according to each participant’s rank. Grand Master Hwang paid particular attention to candidates preparing for their upcoming Dan examinations in Prague. The training then progressed to sparring and self-defense before finishing with several special jumping techniques. At the end of the seminar, Grand Master Hwang gathered everyone together and spoke about the concept of “Do” and its importance in Taekwon-Do. While the trip to Kolín had been uneventful, the return journey was not. We suffered a puncture on one of the rear tires. Fortunately, the wheel was successfully changed and we eventually arrived home only about thirty minutes later than planned. Author: Radek Kolář A Very Successful Czech National Championship From November 9–11, 2012, the Czech National Championships were held in Nymburk, bringing together around 350 competitors from 25 schools. The first part of our delegation arrived on Friday evening and consisted of referees Radek, Lenka, and Korty, together with competitors Petr Hanák and Michal. On Saturday morning they were joined by Jiří, Kuba, and coach Aleš. Saturday brought only one medal for our team, though it was an excellent one. Petr won silver in power breaking. Sunday, however, completely changed the story. Additional competitors joined the team: Lenka, Erik, Jiří Lenka enjoyed a highly successful debut in the senior category, earning: Bronze in patterns Gold in sparring Silver in power breaking One of the biggest surprises came from the junior team consisting of Petr, Jiří, and Michal. Despite competing against teams that often fielded five members, the trio cleverly selected the highest-scoring breaking techniques and won gold in team power breaking. Erik also had an outstanding championship: Gold in patterns He narrowly missed another gold medal in power breaking due to a procedural mistake despite successfully breaking the board. Jiří completed the medal haul with silver in patterns, losing only to Erik in the final. The championships once again confirmed our club’s strong tradition in power breaking, a discipline in which we had won at least one national title every year since 2008. Author: Radek Kolář Autumn Training Camp and Kup Examinations From November 2–4, 2012, we held our autumn training camp in Slatiňany. Participants included: 16 members from Pardubice 1 participant from Lanškroun 7 guests from Il-Kyok led by Tomáš Kuba (4th Dan) Friday’s training focused primarily on basic kicking techniques. The evening featured Taekwon-Do-themed games before everyone settled in for the night. Saturday’s program was divided by experience level: Tomáš worked with higher belts on patterns. I focused on patterns, applications of blocks, strikes, and basic gymnastics with the lower belts. In the afternoon we switched groups. Tomáš challenged the lower belts with kicking drills and step-sparring exercises, while I led the higher ranks through intensive sparring practice entirely in protective equipment. We experimented with a variety of sparring formats, including numerical disadvantages such as four against eight participants. Following dinner, participants attended a self-defense session and theory review ahead of Sunday’s grading assessments. Sunday featured: Explosive kicking and striking exercises Pattern practice Breakfall training Dan-level pattern corrections for black belts Circuit training Kup examinations Six students successfully passed examinations ranging from 8th Kup to 4th Kup, achieving scores between 63 and 66 points. Everyone left tired, slightly sore, but highly satisfied with another productive camp. Author: Radek Kolář Did Everyone Win? Another STM Medal Weekend! The second STM gathering of the season took place in Brno and combined education, games, and competition. Approximately 150 STM members were divided into teams and participated in a variety of activities designed to promote teamwork, communication, movement, and Taekwon-Do knowledge. Games involved collecting teammates, relay races, obstacle courses, and assembling doboks according to reference materials. A coaching seminar led by Martin Svitek provided further education for instructors and assistants, while younger participants attended a presentation by Milan Prokeš (5th Dan). As a multiple World Champion and one of the pioneers of Czech Taekwon-Do, Milan shared both his personal story and the history of Taekwon-Do in the Czech Republic. During Sunday’s testing competition, our team achieved excellent results: Michal Silver in patterns Petr Gold in sparring Silver in special techniques Team gold in sparring Team gold in power breaking Team silver in special techniques The entire talent centre finished in third place overall. Meanwhile, our referees Lenka, Kuba, and I spent much of the competition familiarizing ourselves with the newly introduced tablet-based scoring system. Author: Radek Kolář Another Seminar in Kolín Another regional seminar was held on October 12, 2012, in Kolín. Attending were:Radek, Kuba, Myself The training began with basketball, although for perhaps the first time, Grand Master Hwang’s team actually lost. The seminar focused heavily on: Self-defense Defense against multiple attackers Patterns according to rank As always, Grand Master Hwang provided detailed corrections and practical explanations of techniques. The combination of technical practice and self-defense applications made the seminar both educational and enjoyable. Author: Radek Kolář Grand Master Hwang Taught Us Basketball Another regional seminar took place in Kolín on September 28, 2012. Unfortunately, only Korty and I were able to attend, but neither of us regretted the trip. By the time I returned home, I was completely exhausted and fell asleep almost immediately. As usual, the seminar began with a game of basketball. Grand Master Hwang once again demonstrated surprising talent on the court and was the main scorer on my team. We eventually won 4–2, with Korty scoring the decisive basket near the end. After the warm-up, training focused on sparring techniques. We started with basic hand and foot attacks before progressing to combinations and multiple kicks with the same leg. A large portion of the seminar was devoted to counterattacks, active blocking, and movement. The session concluded with semi-free and free sparring. By the end, nobody had a dry shirt left, and everyone headed home satisfied after a demanding training session. Author: Radek Kolář More Travels in Search of Taekwon-Do Grand Masters During 2012, I had the opportunity to meet several distinguished Grand Masters of Taekwon-Do. In addition to my own teacher, Grand Master Hwang Ho-jong, with whom I trained two or three times each month, I also traveled abroad to participate in seminars with other respected figures of the ITF. Seminar with Grand Master Choi Jung-hwa One of those opportunities came on September 22 in Znojmo, where approximately one hundred Taekwon-Do practitioners from across Europe gathered to train with Grand Master Choi Jung-hwa, the son of General Choi Hong-hi, founder of Taekwon-Do. The seminar began with an extremely demanding warm-up led by Master Karwangar. The pace was so intense that even elite sprinters would have struggled to keep up. Grand Master Choi then guided participants through fundamental techniques, patterns, and discussions about the concept of Do and its role within martial arts philosophy. After a break, training continued with additional pattern work and kicking drills using targets. At the conclusion of the seminar, participants received certificates and took part in a group photograph before heading to the next event. Seminar with Grand Master Hwang Ho-jong The following day, September 23, another seminar took place in Prague under the direction of Grand Master Hwang Ho-jong. Approximately sixty participants attended. The event began with the presentation of Dan certificates and International Instructor certificates. Alongside me, Tomáš Kuba and Jan Kratochvíl also received their International Instructor recognition from Grand Master Hwang. The training pace was relentless. After only a brief review of basic hand and foot techniques, we moved directly into sparring drills. The intensity soon made the floor dangerously slippery, prompting Grand Master Hwang to relocate everyone to a different gymnasium. Although the second hall was cooler, nobody complained because we knew we would warm up quickly. After countless sparring drills and partner exercises, everyone left with minor aches and bruises, but also with smiles on their faces. Author: Radek Kolář 10th ITF Taekwon-Do Summer Camp The 10th Summer Camp was one of the highlights of the year, combining world-class instruction, intensive training, education, and plenty of memorable experiences. International Instructor Seminar The camp began with a special instructor seminar led by Grand Master Hwang. Among the participants were: Martin Zámečník Michal Kindl Petr Šindler Michal Bor Jan Klaška Jan Mráček Tomáš Kuba Brian Cox Jan Kratochvíl and myself Theoretical sessions covered material from the first volume of General Choi’s Encyclopedia. Grand Master Hwang also shared insights gained during more than twenty-five years as an International Instructor. The practical section required participants to prepare complete training sessions in pairs, including written lesson plans. Grand Master Hwang reviewed each plan before training sessions began. Later, candidates for International Instructor certification—including Tomáš, Honza, Michal, Petr, and myself—completed examinations under Grand Master Hwang’s supervision. All candidates passed successfully. Training During the Camp Once the instructor seminar concluded, the regular camp program began. Training was conducted by several distinguished instructors: Paul Dekker (Netherlands) Paul Knighton (England) Alexander Višněvský (Russia) Martin Zámečník (Czech Republic) Grand Master Hwang supervised all groups. Training with Paul Dekker We focused largely on special techniques, practicing challenging combinations such as: Sangbal Ap Chagi Sangbal Yop Chagi Yop Bituro Chagi The training was technically demanding and physically exhausting. Training with Alexander Višněvský Alexander introduced advanced sparring movement, attacking entries, and tactical combinations. He also led pattern practice for 4th Dan candidates and included enough conditioning to ensure everyone finished tired. Training with Martin Zámečník Martin’s session featured intense sparring rounds against high-level practitioners including Michal Kindl, Tomáš Kuba, Martin Svitek, and others. The experience was physically demanding. I received plenty of strikes, elbows, and kicks that I remembered for several days afterward. Yet everyone enjoyed the challenge enormously. Training with Paul Knighton Paul delivered an energetic session focused on flexibility, practical sparring tactics, and effective combinations of punches and kicks. Final Training with Grand Master Hwang The closing session included: Basic techniques Saju Jirugi Saju Makgi Patterns from Chon-Ji to Yul-Gok Step sparring Despite fatigue from the entire week, participants trained enthusiastically until the very end. Life Outside Training The camp included a wide range of activities: Volleyball Football tennis Laser game Rope courses Watching the Olympic Games Evening training sessions Mushroom hunting Participants also enjoyed trips to: Karlovy Vary The visit included: The Becherovka Museum The spa colonnade Mineral springs Traditional spa wafers After tasting the famous herbal liqueur, many participants jokingly concluded that Becherovka might itself be a medical treatment. Chyše Brewery and Castle Another excursion took campers to Chyše, where they toured both the castle and brewery before meeting for a tasting session in the local restaurant. The traditional Korean dinner prepared by Grand Master Hwang’s wife was once again a highlight of the week. Like every successful camp, this one seemed to end far too quickly. Everyone returned home with new friendships, improved skills, countless photographs, and great memories. Perhaps next year even more of us will attend. Authors: Radek Kolář and Radek Hlavinka Grand Master Hwang Taught Us Basketball On June 8, 2012, we traveled to Kolín for another seminar with Grand Master Hwang. Representing our club were Korty, Radek, and myself. As was becoming tradition, the seminar began with a game of basketball. Grand Master Hwang once again demonstrated remarkable skill, scoring six of the seven baskets for my team. The final score was 7–? in our favor, and it was clear that his talents extended beyond Taekwon-Do. After basketball, we moved straight into training. We thoroughly warmed up through fundamental kicking categories such as Ap Chagi, Yop Chagi, and others before practicing patterns together from Chon-Ji all the way to Ge-Baek. The highlight of the seminar came at the end with special techniques. Grand Master Hwang personally demonstrated every technique and repeated several of them multiple times. He proved that, despite many years of teaching, he had lost none of his athletic ability. We practiced advanced jumping techniques including: Twimyo Nopi Chagi Twimyo Dollyo Chagi Twimyo Dolmyo Yop Chagi (180° and 360°) Twimyo Bandae Dollyo Chagi (180° and 360°) Yop Bituro Chagi These are certainly not techniques that belong in the category of “easy kicks.” Author: Radek Kolář A Harvest of Medals at the STM Weekend in Nymburk The first STM gathering of 2012 took place in Nymburk on May 26–27. Preparation for the event had already begun a week earlier during a training session in Brno, where Petr and Michal participated in intensive preparation with coaches from STM South Moravia. Unfortunately, Michal was unable to attend the actual event in Nymburk, so our delegation consisted of Petr, Lenka, and myself. The weekend started with registration and accommodation on Saturday morning. After lunch, club instructors attended the federation’s General Assembly while the STM participants trained under national team coaches. The higher-ranked students worked on offensive and defensive sparring techniques with Jan Mráček and Jan Klaška, while the lower belts trained with Jana Hoňková and Martin Svitek, focusing on movement games, technical drills, and self-defense. Later that evening many athletes rehearsed their team demonstrations for patterns and self-defense. For coaches and assistants, Martin Svitek delivered a fascinating lecture titled: “Bodyweight Strength Training as a Complement to Taekwon-Do Practice.” The presentation provided many useful ideas for long-term athlete development. Competition Day On Sunday, Petr competed in every available discipline: Patterns Sparring Power Breaking Special Techniques Self-Defense He also participated in all team competitions. His results were exceptional: Individual Events Bronze – Patterns Gold – Sparring Team Events Bronze – Team Patterns Silver – Team Power Breaking Gold – Team Sparring As team captain, Petr played a crucial role throughout the competition. One of the most important moments came during the team sparring semifinal against STM Prague II. The match score was tied when Petr entered the decisive bout. He won the match with an impressive spinning technique, securing his team’s place in the final. Overall, he finished the tournament with: 2 Gold Medals 1 Silver Medal 2 Bronze Medals An outstanding performance. Author: Radek Kolář More Black Belts in the Club On April 27, 2012, another regional seminar was held in Kolín. In attendance were: Korty Petr Kuba Myself At the beginning of the seminar, Grand Master Hwang presented official black belt certificates to all three candidates. From that day onward, Korty, Petr, and Kuba officially became members of the black belt family. Training focused on sparring first before continuing with patterns according to each participant’s technical rank. Author: Radek Kolář Examination Season Successfully Completed On March 27, 2012, color-belt grading examinations were held in Pardubice. Students of all ages—from young children to older practitioners—successfully passed their tests. The following Sunday, April 1, three members of our club traveled to Prague for their 1st Dan examinations: Petr Korty Kuba All three passed successfully. Among them, Kuba particularly impressed the examiners with his power breaking, producing the strongest performance of all eighteen candidates attempting 1st Dan that day. Korty’s only souvenir from the examinations was a badly bruised finger sustained while holding boards for candidates attempting higher Dan grades. Author: Radek Kolář Dan Examinations – How the Professionals Do It The Dan examinations held on April 1, 2012, were certainly no April Fool’s joke. Representing Pardubice were: Petr Hanák, Jakub, Korty The examinations began at 10:00 a.m. and nerves were immediately apparent. Patterns Candidates performed: Hwa-Rang Choong-Moo Korty later admitted he was trembling so much that he shook throughout the entire performance. Sparring and Self-Defense The sparring section passed relatively smoothly, although Kuba accidentally struck his partner in a rather sensitive area of the body. Self-defense proved more difficult because some partners were unwilling to cooperate fully, making certain locks and techniques difficult to execute realistically. Special Techniques For Petr and Kuba, the jumping techniques caused few problems. Korty had a rather tougher time: He forgot the scissor motion during Nopi Chagi. He removed his glasses before Twio Dolmyo Yop Chagi because he preferred not to watch himself miss. Power Breaking Here everyone performed well. Petr broke all required techniques. Kuba delivered perhaps the best breaking performance of the entire examination. Korty also completed all techniques successfully. Theory Examination The final section tested theoretical knowledge. Questions covered: Taekwon-Do principles The student oath Definitions of Taekwon-Do Theory of Power Korty was questioned about the Theory of Power and managed to recall all six components, with only one brief hesitation regarding kinetic energy. The candidates then spent additional time assisting higher Dan examinations by holding boards. Unfortunately, one of those boards rebounded into Korty’s finger, leaving it swollen and bruised for days afterward. The conclusion was simple: Everyone passed successfully, and nobody wanted another Dan examination anytime soon. Author: Korty March Seminars with Grand Master Hwang Regional Seminar in Kolín On March 23, 2012, Lenka, Petr, Korty, Kuba, and I attended another seminar in Kolín. Because Grand Master Hwang was delayed, Radka Heydušková led the warm-up. Despite claiming she had barely trained during the previous two years while raising children, she rapidly proved herself fitter than most of us. The seminar focused on: Reaction drills for sparring Offensive combinations Forward and backward movement Patterns from Toi-Gye through Ge-Baek The intensity ensured everyone appreciated the mid-session break. Club Seminar in Pardubice A few days later, on March 27, Grand Master Hwang conducted a seminar in Pardubice immediately following the grading examinations. Rather than covering new material, he focused on correcting mistakes he had observed during the tests. Students revisited: Saju Jirugi Saju Makgi Dan-Gun through Toi-Gye For each pattern, Grand Master Hwang selected individual students and carefully corrected their techniques, explaining every detail with great patience. Author: Radek Kolář Open Championship of Bohemia 2012 The Open Championship of Bohemia took place on March 3, 2012, in Nymburk. Our delegation included: Radek, Lenka, Korty, Kuba (all as referees), Petr (competitor) Aleš (coach) The competition used a round-robin format in which every competitor faced everyone else. Unfortunately, Petr felt unwell during the tournament and only participated in patterns. Despite his condition, he recorded four victories and one defeat, earning a silver medal. He wisely chose not to compete in sparring. Author: Radek Kolář Technical Seminar for Senior Dan Grades On February 22, 2012, eleven holders of 4th, 5th, and 6th Dan gathered at the newly renovated Ge-Baek Hosinsul Taekwon-Do Centre in Prague. Among them was Radek. The seminar focused on the 5th Dan patterns: Yon-Gae Ul-Ji Moon-Moo Grand Master Hwang spent considerable time explaining both technical details and practical applications. A special guest was Lefteris Polydorou, whose long-standing connection to Czech Taekwon-Do made his attendance particularly welcome. The seminar concluded after ninety minutes of intensive practice and left participants looking forward to future sessions covering 6th Dan patterns. Author: Ondřej Vrábel The Year of “Do” The first regional seminar of 2012 took place on February 3 in Kolín. Attending from our club were:Lenka, Korty, Kuba, Myself Grand Master Hwang opened the seminar by speaking extensively about Do—the philosophical path and moral development aspect of Taekwon-Do. He announced a year-long effort to improve students’ understanding of this important concept. The practical section included: Reaction drills Sparring exercises Advanced kicking combinations Jumping techniques Many of the aerial kicking combinations proved extremely challenging and left participants with plenty to practice before the next seminar. Author: Radek Kolář 2011 Two Cities, Two Seminars, One Team (December 12) Five of our members attended seminars in two nearby towns: Lenka, Péťa, Kuba, Korty, and myself. The first seminar took place on December 2 in Kolín. It was our regional seminar led by Grandmaster Hwang. During the two-hour session, we managed to go through the entire examination program for 1st Dan. We started with the Hwa-Rang and Choong-Moo patterns, where the Grandmaster focused not only on technical execution but also on theoretical knowledge. The seminar continued with several rounds of free sparring. As in a grading examination, self-defense practice followed the sparring session. We then worked on two of the most challenging special techniques: Twimyo Bandae Dollyo Chagi and Twio Dollyo Yop Chagi 360°. Finally, we practiced one breaking technique (Wiryok) — Bandae Dollyo Chagi. The second seminar was held on December 10 in Nymburk and was much larger in scale. It was a nationwide, full-day event attended by more than 150 taekwondo practitioners. Under the guidance of Grandmaster Hwang and four instructors holding 5th Dan or higher, participants practiced fundamental hand and foot techniques in the morning, along with the Chon-Ji and Dan-Gun patterns. Later that morning, Grandmaster Hwang explained pre-arranged sparring. During the afternoon session, we had the opportunity to practice these sparring exercises. We were then divided into groups to continue working on technical patterns. Radek Kolář Medals for the Young, No Medals for the Veteran Competitors 🙂 (November 7) The Czech National Championships took place in Brno from November 4–6. Our club was represented both by referees and competitors. Besides Lenka and myself serving as referees, we also had competitors in the event. Senior competitors competed on Saturday, which was somewhat unusual. We had two experienced veterans, Aleš and Korty, participating. Unfortunately, neither managed to win a medal. However, in their defense, both had very difficult draws in the technical patterns and sparring divisions. Korty had a particularly disappointing moment in power breaking when he failed to qualify because he could not break the board with a punch. The same thing happened to me several years ago. You may perform the technique successfully many times, but once you underestimate the challenge, the result can be an unpleasant surprise. Nevertheless, it is a valuable lesson for future training. Sunday brought much better results for us. Lenka Havránková won two excellent gold medals. In the sparring final, she defeated an athlete from the host club, Taekwon-Do Club Brno. In power breaking, she successfully defended her title from the previous year, becoming a two-time national champion in power breaking. In doing so, she followed in the footsteps of Lenka Součková and Zbyněk, who had also achieved success in this discipline. Petr Hanák won a bronze medal in sparring. In technical patterns, he advanced through two rounds but ultimately fell short of a medal position. Radek Kolář Second Talent Development Center Meeting in Frýdek-Místek (October 28) Following the meeting in Nymburk, the next gathering of youth and junior members of the Talent Development Centers (STM) was held in Frýdek-Místek. We belong to the South Moravia Talent Development Center. Alongside Lenka and myself as referees, we were represented by two competitors, Péťa and Michal. Not only did our South Moravian STM team achieve an excellent third-place finish overall, but our athletes also brought home several medals. Péťa earned third place in sparring and added more medals in team events. He won first place in team sparring, where the boys defeated two traditionally strong teams from North Moravia and also eliminated Prague. They also secured third place in power breaking and third place in special breaking techniques. Radek Kolář First Seminar with Grandmaster Hwang (October 9) On Friday, October 7, we had the opportunity to train in Kolín under the new Taekwon-Do Grandmaster Hwang Ho-Yong (9th Dan). Besides myself, Lenka, Korty, and Péťa also attended. According to Sasong Nim (Grandmaster) Hwang, the focus was on fundamental techniques, which he considers the most important aspect of training. However, these were not the basic techniques most people might imagine. We were practicing fundamental techniques specifically for sparring. The training covered not only strikes and kicks but placed great emphasis on movement as well. We worked on these skills for the entire 90-minute session. To finish the seminar and cool down, the Grandmaster had us perform patterns from Chon-Ji through Toi-Gye. Radek Kolář Two Korean Masters at a Training Camp in the Czech Republic (August 2) This year, the organizing committee achieved something truly remarkable. At the annual camp in Žihle, we had not only our own Master Hwang Ho-Yong (8th Dan) but also Master Kim Ung-Chol (8th Dan). It was no longer a camp with one master—it was a camp with masters. As if that were not enough, Paul Dekker and Paul Knighton (both 6th Dan) also attended, as they had in previous years. Besides me, Aleš and Henryk participated for part of the camp. I arrived before the official start to train at the GBHS school camp. Together with my long-time camp roommate Martin Svitek (3rd Dan) from Sonkal, I practiced matsogi (sparring), knife-defense sparring, and conditioning through cold-water training. We trained at least twice every day. By the time the main camp officially began on Sunday, many fresh and motivated Taekwon-Do practitioners were arriving, while we were already somewhat exhausted. Nevertheless, we eagerly looked forward to the first evening training session with Masters Hwang and Kim. After warm-up exercises and a few technical drills, Master Hwang assigned me and three other candidates for 4th Dan the task of leading groups he personally selected. Masters Hwang and Kim supervised the groups, moving among them and providing instruction. Over the next two days, the black-belt group trained under Master Kim. We practiced fundamental movements, patterns, kicking drills, and various sparring exercises. While Master Kim’s technique may not be as precise as Master Hwang’s, his techniques are certainly more intimidating, and his constant demonstrations were extremely motivating. Later, my group of 3rd Dan and higher students trained with Master Hwang, focusing on the patterns required for my grading examination. In the following days, we trained under Paul Dekker and Paul Knighton. Patterns were practiced every day, but the program also included sparring, self-defense, and conditioning. The evening and afternoon activities were diverse: excursions to a brewery and castle in Chyše, a trip to Viklan (a famous rocking stone formation), volleyball matches between the “old” and the “young,” a frisbee game, roast pig, a Korean dinner, and additional training sessions. During one evening training session, I received three insect bites. As a result, I completed the final days of training with a swollen, painful leg while taking antibiotics. I rested one day before the grading so I could perform reasonably well. Fortunately, everything went extremely well. On Sunday afternoon, I successfully passed my examination for 4th Dan before a panel consisting of Master Hwang, Master Kim, Rostislav Kaňka, Paul Knighton, and Milan Prokeš. Almost everything went perfectly. When Master Hwang shook my hand afterward and said, “Nice examination,” it was an enormous honor for me. I achieved an average score of 66 points and had the highest-scoring examination among the four candidates. Radek Kolář Two Competitors, Seven Medals (May 15) From May 7–8, an STM meeting took place in Nymburk. Members attended a three-hour seminar on Saturday in addition to competition registration. The first part was led by Master Hwang, during which Petr Hanák and Michal Tichý practiced fundamental techniques. The second part was conducted by national team head coach Jan Mraček and other national team and STM coaches, covering everything from sparring preparation to self-defense. While I spent five hours attending the federation’s general assembly meeting, Lenka and Kuba had free time. The following day, Lenka, Kuba, and I worked as referees, while Petr and Michal competed. Michal won a bronze medal in the only discipline for which he was eligible. Petr delivered an outstanding performance, winning a bronze medal in individual patterns, another bronze in team patterns, silver in sparring, bronze in team sparring, gold in special techniques, and bronze in team power breaking. Radek Kolář We Had Some Great Sparring (March 17) The second seminar with Master Hwang, held in sunny Sadská, was a great success. Besides me, Kuba and Péťa attended. Master Hwang arrived slightly late once again, but Petr Pařík (4th Dan) led the warm-up effectively until the Master took charge. We practiced patterns from Do-San through Choong-Moo. After a 15-minute break, we spent 45 minutes working on matsogi (sparring) drills. The sparring practice concluded with actual matches in which competitors were required to perform jumping turning techniques. Anyone who failed to use at least two such techniques during a match had to do push-ups. Radek Kolář Prague Seminar Focused on Patterns (March 17) Another seminar with Master Hwang took place on Sunday, March 13. It was once again one of the regular Prague seminars. This sunny Sunday, I was the only representative from our club who made the trip to Prague. At the very beginning, Master Hwang divided us into four groups and assigned each group to one of the four instructors present. The red belts were led by Martin Zámečník, the 1st Dans by Ondra Vrábel, the 2nd Dans by Michal Kindl, and the 3rd Dans by Petr Pařík. Master Hwang moved between the groups, providing detailed corrections and guidance. The group I trained with was assigned to practice technical patterns: Juche, Sam-Il, Yoo-Sin, and Choi-Yong. We performed most of these patterns under the Master’s close supervision. As a warm-up, we started with Juche, and repeatedly practicing the movements from this pattern proved quite exhausting for all of us. Radek Kolář Master Hwang in Pardubice – Club Grading Examinations and Seminar (March 12) Grading Examinations from 5:30 PM On March 3, grading examinations for higher ranks were held at our club. The examiner was Master Hwang Ho-Jong (8th Dan), Director of the ITF Technical and Education Department. A total of 27 examinations were conducted, and all candidates passed successfully. Some participants even completed two gradings at once. Among the most impressive performances was Michal Tichý, who tested from white belt to yellow belt and did not receive a single score below 65 points. Natálie Brauchli (yellow belt examination) and Tomáš Dostalík (green belt examination) also achieved an average score of 65 points. Master Hwang recognized the candidate with the best overall examination by presenting him with a calendar featuring a photograph of the founder of Taekwon-Do, General Choi Hong Hi. The award went to Jakub Vaktera, who tested for 1st Kup (red-black belt) and achieved an average score of 65 points, including one score of 66. Congratulations to everyone, and I look forward to seeing all of you work hard toward your next examinations. Special thanks also go to Lenka, who was in charge of organizing the event, as well as everyone who helped with administration (especially Korty), gym preparation, and assisting during sparring examinations. Seminar from 6:20 PM We were pleased to welcome guests from our former branch in Náměšť nad Oslavou, namely Tomáš Kuba and Danica Sobotková. The seminar was open to all belt ranks. It was a unique opportunity, even for newly promoted yellow-striped white belts, to train with such an outstanding instructor as Master Hwang. Master Hwang focused on teaching and correcting fundamental techniques. Tirelessly, he worked with every participant, striving to improve each individual. I hope everyone gained valuable knowledge from the experience and will continue studying Taekwon-Do. The Master also corrected us instructors, pointing out areas where we had not been strict enough. These shortcomings were naturally reflected in both the students‘ behavior and technical execution. I vividly remember some uncomfortable moments when Master Hwang corrected things that I myself had previously taught or emphasized during training sessions and examinations. Of course, the heat I felt was probably caused not only by his criticism but also by the fever I happened to have at the time. Radek Kolář A Seminar Full of Jumping Techniques (February 16) On February 13, another seminar with Master Hwang took place in Prague. This time, Péťa, Jakub, and I decided to travel by train. We began with some kicking drills and simple sparring exercises as a warm-up. The program then moved on to technical patterns according to rank requirements. Each group practiced the patterns required for its upcoming examinations. First Dans and higher belts trained in the smaller gym, while the red belts trained with Master Hwang and several selected international instructors in the larger gym. After the break, we moved on to Tukgi (special flying and jumping techniques). Participants were divided into groups by rank and assigned different exercises. Red belts practiced all examination special techniques: Twimyo Nopi Chagi Twimyo Dollyo Chagi Twimyo Bandae Dollyo Chagi Twio Dollyo Yop Chagi First and Second Dans practiced: Twimyo Bandae Dollyo Chagi (180°) Twimyo Bandae Dollyo Chagi (360°) Twio Dollyo Yop Chagi My group, consisting of Third Dans and above, worked on some particularly demanding techniques. We started with Twio Dollyo Yop Chagi 180° and then performed it two and three times consecutively. Next came Twimyo Goro + Dollyo Chagi using the same leg, which made things even more challenging. We then continued with Yop Bituro Chagi. As the final challenge, we practiced Yop Bituro Chagi + Dollyo Chagi combinations. Everyone enjoyed the training, although, as someone who is not naturally gifted in jumping techniques, my execution sometimes only vaguely resembled the intended movement. Radek Kolář First Seminar in the New Central Bohemia Region (January 12) On January 28, 2011, the first seminar in the newly established Central Bohemia Region was held. Our club had recently become part of this region as well. The seminar took place in Kolín, and we attended in strong numbers. Besides me, the participants were Zbyněk, Lenka, Korty, Jakub, and Jirka. The program focused on practicing the fundamental techniques found in patterns up to green belt level. During the first hour, we worked extensively on hand techniques, both offensive and defensive. After the break, attention shifted to kicking techniques. We trained these kicks in pairs, beginning with basic kicks from the front and rear leg and gradually adding various movements such as stepping, jumping, sliding, and retreating. The kicks were then applied in dynamic sparring movement drills performed at a brisk pace. At the end of the seminar, Master Hwang reminded us that seminars are not ordinary training sessions. He emphasized that we should go home and practice what we learned in a ratio of 1:100—for every repetition at the seminar, we should perform one hundred more on our own. Radek Kolář First Seminar of 2011 (January 12) On Sunday, January 9, 2011, the first seminar of the year took place. It was once again led by Master Hwang Ho-Jong. Although a promising number of participants had originally planned to come, only Zbyněk and I ultimately made the trip to Prague. The seminar focused entirely on fundamental techniques. During the first part, we reviewed basic hand blocks and strikes. After the break came the more demanding section—kicking techniques. For each kick, we first practiced it as a basic technique with a partner. We then moved on to applying that specific technique in matsogi (sparring), either as an attacking technique involving jumps, slides, turns, and other variations, or as a defensive counterattacking technique. We worked progressively through: Ap Chagi Yop Chagi Dollyo Chagi Dollyo Yop Chagi Bandae Dollyo Chagi By the end of the seminar, anyone who had truly given their maximum effort was completely soaked with sweat. Radek Kolář 2010 The Colors of Black Belt Examinations 🙂 (December 15) My original plan of quietly watching the examinations for 1st–3rd Dan candidates did not work out for either me or my friend Martin Svitek. Martin became the head waiter and cameraman, while I found myself serving as a waiter, storage space, punching bag, occasional psychological support, and most importantly, Vice President of the Board Holders Department. ?? Board holders are the people who are almost invisible, much like referees at competitions, yet events simply cannot function without them. Nobody notices a good board holder or a good referee, but when these roles are not performed properly, the athlete’s performance can be significantly affected. For these examinations, Master Hwang even incorporated the candidates‘ ability to hold boards correctly into the final evaluation. Michal Opuszynski, the President of the Board Holders Department, and I were tasked with helping and advising participants in this occasionally painful responsibility. Our coordinator was Captain Tomáš Kuba, supervised by Master Hwang Ho-Jong (8th Dan, Chairman of the Examination Committee), MUDr. Rostislav Kaňka (6th Dan), Martin Zámečník (5th Dan), Ing. Marek Lazor (4th Dan), and Ing. Milan Prokeš (4th Dan). During the opening ceremony, while the Taekwon-Do oath was being recited and the examination committee introduced, I noticed the first „colors“ of the Dan examinations. The candidates‘ faces displayed a complete spectrum of colors—from normal skin tones through white, yellow, and even green. For some, their complexion improved throughout the day; for others, it changed according to the situation unfolding in the gym. ?? Some faces turned red after receiving a hit during matsogi (sparring) or hosinsul (self-defense). I’m sure everyone’s limbs became red after successful—or less successful—attempts at tukgi (special techniques) or wiryok (power breaking). Of course, red does not last forever. Soon it becomes dark red, then changes through shades of blue, green, and yellow before disappearing completely. A few candidates turned red during the theory examination as well, but that particular shade disappeared rather quickly. ?? The same goes for red eyes caused by a few clear drops that may appear due to emotion, relief, or happiness. A handkerchief and a moment of calm are usually enough to solve that problem. ?? One color, however, changed permanently. The red belts of all 27 candidates for 1st Dan will soon become black belts, because every one of them passed successfully. In addition, the three best candidates received a blue „referee’s“ tie from Master Hwang: Ludvík Cigna Ivana Schacherlová Andreas Čechovský Among the four candidates for 2nd Dan, Jan Fojtů received the blue tie award. The final blue tie was presented to one of the two candidates for 3rd Dan, Jana Hoňková. Congratulations to all board holders and all new black belts with their one to three golden „Roman numerals“ on their belts. I would also like to thank everyone who helped clear the tables, chairs, and boards from the gym afterward, especially Milan Prokeš, Michal Bor, and Tomáš Kuba. I wish everyone a colorful Christmas season! ?? Radek Kolář The Entire Federation Trains Together (December 13) Approximately 150 Taekwon-Do practitioners participated in a seminar with Master Hwang on December 11. It was probably the largest seminar in the federation’s history designed for red belts and higher ranks. The front row consisted of 4th Dans and higher, including the federation president, vice presidents, and other officials. The entire national team, together with the full coaching staff, attended the nationwide seminar, which was rather unusual. Our Pardubice club was represented by Lenka, Zdenda, Korty, Kuba, and myself. The seminar consisted of two training sessions: a morning block from about 9:40 a.m. until noon and an afternoon session from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. Throughout both sessions, Master Hwang supervised us from the stands of the basketball arena in Nymburk, while instructors worked directly on the floor. I certainly did not envy them. Standing high in the stands made the Master highly visible, although some of his demonstrations conducted among the seats looked quite dangerous. I just wasn’t sure whether the danger was greater for the Master or for the seats. After what felt like a very short warm-up, we began with kicks—Ap Chagi and Yop Chagi—followed by hand strikes and blocks. We then worked through technical patterns. During the morning session, Master Hwang corrected and emphasized key points in patterns ranging from Chon-Ji to Ge-Baek. After lunch and a short break, the afternoon session began. First Dans and lower ranks practiced self-defense under Martin Zámečník, while higher Dans continued with Master Hwang on patterns required for 3rd and 4th Dan. One of the most demanding patterns is Juche. Practicing it with about thirty people standing in well-organized rows was an intense experience. A moment of hesitation could easily result in receiving a technique from the person in front, behind, or beside you. More than once, a kick passed alarmingly close to me. The final portion focused on applying basic techniques in sparring. Master Hwang personally demonstrated several attacks, and it was astonishing to witness kicks reaching both the stomach and head almost simultaneously, delivered with incredible speed, precision, and power. It was a reminder that there is always room for improvement in the fundamentals. After the seminar, participants who were not rushing home could visit the swimming pool and sauna. Since I was staying until the next day, I happily took advantage of the opportunity. That evening I helped several people prepare for the theoretical part of their Dan examinations. During the examinations themselves, I provided moral support and also helped as a board holder. There is nothing quite like voluntarily letting people kick your hands. ?? Radek Kolář There’s Always a Medal in Wiryok (November 11) As is traditional, the Czech National Taekwon-Do Championships took place during the first weekend of November (November 5–7). This year the event was held in the familiar surroundings of Nymburk. Although our team was relatively small, we performed well. We registered four referees—Lenka, Korty, Kuba, and myself—and four competitors: Aleš, Péťa, Lenka, and Korty. Since the event lasted three days, Korty was able to serve as a referee on Friday and Saturday before competing on Sunday. Saturday was the competition day for Péťa and Lenka. Unfortunately, Péťa experienced another difficult tournament. In patterns, he made a mistake in the selected pattern and was eliminated. He also lost in the first round of sparring. Lenka delivered her usual solid performance in patterns but did not manage to advance. However, she excelled in power breaking (wiryok), where she repeated the success previously achieved by Zbyněk and won a gold medal. She qualified successfully with Sonkal (knife-hand strike) and later broke two boards using Dollyo Chagi. Only two competitors achieved this result, so a tie-break was required. After two additional rounds of breaking attempts, Lenka secured the gold medal. On Sunday, Aleš and Korty competed. Aleš twice won matches in the prestigious 1st Dan patterns division and earned a bronze medal. Korty was eliminated in the first round of patterns. In sparring, neither competitor had much success. Korty experienced firsthand what it feels like to face someone considerably taller and stronger—Libor Macháň was certainly not an easy opponent. The final discipline for our team was senior men’s power breaking. Korty successfully qualified but completed only the hand techniques, which was not enough for a medal. Radek Kolář Finally, a Master’s Belt 🙂 (October 21) On Wednesday, October 20, I attended a seminar with Master Hwang in Brno. The seminar program was very similar to the September seminar held in Prague. As always, nobody minds practicing the fundamentals. Master Hwang spent considerable time explaining the technique of Yopcha Jirugi. We also practiced patterns from Chon-Ji through Choong-Moo and reviewed all forms of step sparring. The Master frequently asked different participants to explain the theory behind these exercises. However, my strongest memory comes from the beginning and end of the seminar. Master Hwang arrived traveling very light and did not bring either his own dobok or his belt. It was the first time I had ever seen this, and it will probably remain a lifelong memory. He borrowed a dobok from Libor Macháň. Watching the Master train in an instructor’s dobok bearing the Brno club logo was quite unusual. Since Libor also needed a plain black belt with no rank markings, I was fortunate enough to lend the Master my own belt. So, for a while, Master Hwang trained wearing my belt. At the end of the seminar, he returned it with a smile and said: „Here is your black belt.“ So now I truly have a „master’s belt.“ ?? Radek Kolář Seminar for Third Dans (October 21) On October 13, a seminar for 3rd Dans and higher ranks was held at the GBHS Taekwon-Do Center in Prague. Although the training hall was quite small, around sixteen participants attended. Everyone knew space would be a serious issue. A room of that size would comfortably accommodate one or two people practicing 3rd Dan patterns, not sixteen. The seminar focused on the patterns Eui-Am, Choong-Jang, and Juche. Each of these contains several technically demanding movements, many of them involving jumping techniques, which were practiced repeatedly. As a result of the cramped conditions, I left the seminar with a bruised hand from an accidental collision during a pattern and a slightly injured knee once again. I’m simply talented that way. ?? Radek Kolář STM Competition in Frýdek-Místek (October 21) On October 9, the second meeting of the Talent Development Centers was held in Frýdek-Místek. Pardubice belongs to the South Moravia Talent Development Center. Besides competitor Péťa, our delegation included Lenka, Kuba, and myself serving as referees. The event was partially successful. Petr won a bronze medal in technical patterns, requiring two victories to reach the medal rounds. Even his semifinal defeat was not by a significant margin. Unfortunately, sparring did not go well for him, but the experience will certainly help him in future competitions. During the closing ceremony, we learned that our Talent Development Center finished in third place overall, which was an excellent result. Radek Kolář The Pad Was Destroyed, but I Survived (October 5) For another traditional Sunday seminar with Master Hwang, only Zdenda and I attended from our club. Zdenda was running a fever and decided not to train, although he officially received his 1st Dan certificate. I, on the other hand, trained. Standing next to me during lineup was Michal Kindl (4th Dan), which immediately told me I would be working with someone who trains extremely hard and never takes a break. When Master Hwang announced that we would practice basic techniques in pairs, I knew I was in for a serious conditioning session. We repeatedly practiced middle-section punches and the corresponding blocks, executing every technique with maximum power. After several rounds, my arms were already aching, and I was no longer cold. Michal performed every knife-hand strike, punch, and kick as though he intended to split me in half. I did my best to match his effort, but I still have a great deal to learn if I ever hope to match the power of his techniques. After the basic techniques, we moved on to sparring kicks and then patterns for 2nd Dan: Kwang-Gae, Po-Eun, and Ge-Baek. The seminar concluded with special techniques. I trained alongside Petr Poklop (5th Dan), Martin Zámečník (5th Dan), and Michal. Techniques such as Twio Dollyo Yop Chagi 360° and Twimyo Bandae Dollyo Chagi were practiced repeatedly. Michal—and often Martin as well—hit the kicking pad so hard that it was eventually broken. Fortunately, even nearly forty-year-old Petr and I managed to hold our own. Being the weakest member of such a strong group is highly motivating because it pushes you to surpass your limits. Radek Kolář Referee Course in Prague (October 5) The 24th National Referee Training Course took place in Prague on September 24–25. During the course, Petr Kortan and Jakub Valtera successfully passed their referee examinations. Lenka attended the course to complete the required written test and renew her referee license. Radek Kolář Seminar Season Begins (September 15) Seminar and Anniversary Celebration in Velešín The first seminar of the new school year—and my first seminar since the summer camp—took place with Master Hwang in Velešín on September 4. The seminar was held in the morning and was part of the celebrations marking the 20th anniversary of Taekwon-Do in Velešín. The afternoon program featured celebrations at the local cinema, including demonstrations, screenings, a buffet reception, dancing, and other activities. During the morning seminar, under the strict supervision of Master Hwang, we prepared for the demonstration performance. For me, this meant performing the Po-Eun pattern approximately thirty times together with Svíťa from Prague and Zdeněk from České Budějovice—essentially until we were coordinated enough. We also repeatedly practiced our marching entrance. Our demonstration included both a pattern performance and board breaking. The exhibition was a success, and our contribution was well received. The senator and the mayors of the towns where TKD Velešín operates appeared very satisfied. I would like to thank Milan Prokeš for inviting me to yet another excellent Taekwon-Do event. Seminar in Prague On Sunday afternoon, September 12, Kuba and I traveled to Prague for another seminar with Master Hwang. Henryk was there as well. The seminar began with the ceremonial presentation of certificates for those who had passed their black belt examinations in August. We started with basic kicking techniques—Apcha Busigi (front snap kick) and Yopcha Jirugi (side piercing kick). Considerably more attention was devoted to Yopcha Jirugi, with emphasis on the proper rotation of the supporting foot, hips, and body. After the kicking drills, we practiced patterns from Chon-Ji through Choong-Moo, with additional explanations and corrections provided by the Master. The seminar continued with the practice of pre-arranged sparring. We worked on: Three-step sparring Two-step sparring One-step sparring Semi-free sparring Radek Kolář Zdeněk’s Dan Examination (August 4) On Sunday afternoon, August 1, 2010, black belt examinations were held as the ceremonial conclusion of the summer camp. The examinations were conducted before the federation’s examination board, including its chairman, who had unexpectedly returned from Korea in July. The board consisted of: Master Hwang Ho-Yong (8th Dan), Chairman of the ITF Technical Committee MUDr. Rostislav Kaňka (6th Dan), Federation Vice President Martin Zámečník (5th Dan), Federation President The examinations were organized by the Technical Department with the assistance of one of its members, the „tough“ Kuba. ?? I also helped a little with the preparations. Our representative from Pardubice was Zdeněk, who performed fifth in the examination order, as part of the third pair. His first discipline was technical patterns—Hwa-Rang and Choong-Moo. Although the patterns were not completely flawless and everything did not go exactly as it did in training, it was obvious to everyone that the techniques were effective and functional. The next discipline was matsogi (free sparring) with an unfamiliar opponent. Zdeněk demonstrated excellent tactical intelligence and landed many controlled and well-executed techniques. Immediately afterward came hosinsul (self-defense). His self-defense performance was excellent as well, featuring effective joint locks followed by his favorite precise counterattack with an Ap Joomuk punch targeting vital points. Most of these strikes landed on the head of his opponent, who was significantly larger than Zdeněk. In Tukgi (special flying techniques), Zdeněk successfully completed every technique. Unfortunately, only a few candidates managed to do the same. The final physically and mentally demanding discipline was Wiryok (power breaking). There, Zdeněk hesitated on the simplest technique, the Ap Joomuk punch, but completed it successfully on his second attempt. The remaining four techniques were completed without difficulty. The last challenge was the theory examination. Master Hwang asked him what Chon-Ji means. Zdeněk answered somewhat nervously but correctly. As a result, our club gained another black belt. Congratulations, Zdeněk! Radek Kolář 8th Summer Camp – The Rabbit Hunt Failed (August 4) This year’s summer camp was once again attended—fortunately—by my teacher, Master Hwang Ho-Yong (8th Dan). Why fortunately? Master Hwang had originally been expected to return from Korea only in October, but he unexpectedly came back a few days before the camp, bringing tremendous joy to more than one hundred Taekwon-Do practitioners. The camp was also notable for its outstanding international instructors: Hwang Su-Il (6th Dan) – Korea/Japan, international instructor, coach of the Japanese national team, world champion in sparring, and, according to Master Hwang, one of the finest Taekwon-Do technicians in the world. He also served as the model for Hwoarang in the Tekken video game series. Paul Knighton (6th Dan) – Great Britain, international instructor and referee, senior student of Grandmaster Rhee Ki-Ha. Paul Dekker (6th Dan) – Netherlands, international instructor and referee, pioneer of Dutch Taekwon-Do, former boxer and kickboxer. Peter Regan (4th Dan) – Switzerland, international instructor and referee, president of the Swiss federation. Besides me, Henryk, Lenka, Jakub, and Petr Rejman attended from our club. For me, the camp is much more than a seminar. It is a social, cultural, and training event—a chance to meet friends from seminars, competitions, training camps, holidays, and countless other events. After registration on Tuesday, July 27, we had dinner followed by an evening training session with Hwang Su-Il. His charisma, constant smile, and incredible speed were immensely motivating. After two intense hours, there wasn’t a dry shirt anywhere in the gym. The days that followed combined high-level training with numerous activities: Technical sessions with Master Hwang and international instructors Sparring drills and advanced kicking combinations Golf tournaments Laser tag High ropes courses Castle excursions Brewery visits Social evenings with instructors Barbecues, including a roast pig feast One particularly memorable event was celebrating Hwang Su-Il’s birthday. Observing proper Taekwon-Do etiquette while making a toast with him proved surprisingly difficult. Since the highest-ranking person’s glass should be highest, and Hwang Su-Il kept lowering his glass out of humility, everyone else eventually found themselves nearly squatting. ?? Training was divided according to rank. My group trained with Hwang Su-Il, focusing on: Extensive warm-ups Sparring movement Advanced kicking combinations Conditioning exercises Q&A sessions Social life at the camp was equally memorable. There were international board games, conversations in imperfect English, midnight pattern practice, spontaneous gym sessions, and countless shared laughs. One evening, a Czech-Swiss-English group of about twenty people decided to organize a military-style hunt for wild rabbits around the camp. After fifteen minutes of unsuccessful pursuit, we concluded that our strategy was flawed and our legs were too slow. Maybe next year. ?? The camp concluded with final training sessions and the Dan examinations. I would like to thank the organizers, instructors, and Master Hwang for several fantastic days spent among wonderful people. I am already looking forward to the next event. Radek Kolář Praised for Technique Before the Whole Group 🙂 (June 2) A seminar for red belts and higher ranks was held in Prague on a sunny Sunday, June 6. It was led by Martin Zámečník (5th Dan). For the first time in quite a while, I made the trip to Prague together with Zdeněk and Jakub. The training partially overlapped with the seminar previously held in Pardubice. The focus was on strengthening and improving Yop Chagi (side kick) in various forms, paying close attention to proper body rotation and foot positioning. The most difficult variation involved performing two side kicks without placing the kicking foot on the ground between them. Jakub performed this particularly well and was publicly praised by Martin, who asked him to demonstrate the technique for the rest of the seminar participants. It was a wonderful compliment—not only for Jakub but also for me as his instructor. It reminded me of times when Master Hwang praised my own technique. There is probably no greater recognition for a student than receiving praise from their teacher for something they have worked on for years. The seminar continued with jumping kicking techniques, followed by self-defense exercises before we headed home. Radek Kolář Examinations and Seminar with the Federation President (June 2) On June 1, Martin Zámečník (5th Dan), President of the Czech Taekwon-Do ITF Federation and federation examiner, visited Pardubice. Examinations The examinations began at 5:30 p.m. Martin expressed satisfaction with the quality of our Taekwon-Do and even stated that our school ranked above average compared to many others in the Czech Republic. If that is true, I might blush a little. ?? Special praise was awarded to: Tomáš Dostalík, average score 67 Jakub Valtera, testing for red belt, average score 66 with individual scores reaching 68 Congratulations are due to every successful candidate and to all instructors who contributed to these results. The examinations also included theory questions. Anyone who has experienced it knows how difficult it is to answer theoretical questions after patterns, sparring, and breaking—when you’re exhausted and out of breath. Nevertheless, everyone managed to respond, even if some answers were not entirely complete. Seminar The seminar focused on correcting mistakes observed during the examinations: Sinus-wave movement Breath control Ki-hap (shout) Technical execution Patterns from Chon-Ji through Won-Hyo To finish, Martin gave us a very demanding workout focused heavily on Yop Chagi. We ended with various kicking combinations and then gathered for dinner. Martin enjoyed a double steak tartare and headed home happily. ?? Radek Kolář Czech Open 2010 (February 14) Once again, Czech Open 2010 was held in Nymburk. In addition to Czech competitors, the tournament attracted a large number of international participants from Denmark, the Netherlands, Greenland, Austria, Switzerland, Russia, Norway, Great Britain, Poland, and neighboring Slovakia. Our delegation consisted of: Referees Lenka Myself Competitors Zbyněk (patterns, sparring, power breaking) Aleš (patterns, sparring) Péťa (patterns, sparring) Korty (patterns, sparring, power breaking) Marek (patterns, special techniques, power breaking) Unfortunately, this year’s Czech Open was not very successful for us, either competitively or in terms of injuries. The first medal came from Korty, who delivered a solid performance and won a bronze medal in the patterns division. Zbyněk earned the same result in the highly competitive 1st Dan category. That, however, marked the end of our medal success at Czech Open 2010. Péťa fought well in sparring, showing good movement and attempting several difficult counterattacking techniques. However, without taking the initiative and attacking more actively, it is difficult to win matches. Unfortunately, the saying „the one who gets out of the way wins“ does not apply in sparring. ?? Marek then competed. Unfortunately, he failed to qualify for the final rounds in either special techniques or power breaking. In special techniques, he cleared the obstacle comfortably with Twio Nomo Chagi, but failed to strike the board correctly, so the attempt was not recognized. Korty did not qualify for the power breaking competition, and his sparring match resembled a battle between a cat and a mouse. He was matched against an opponent roughly a head and a half taller and about 35 kg heavier. Competing in the heaviest weight category is not easy when you are one of the smaller athletes. Unlike Korty, Zbyněk successfully qualified for power breaking. He completed both hand techniques successfully. Unfortunately, he failed two of the kicking techniques and injured his foot during one of the attempts. He was eventually limping his way back to the car and was unable to compete in sparring afterward. Hopefully he recovered quickly and was able to continue his hard training. The final competitor from our team was Aleš, but he was eliminated early, bringing our participation at Czech Open 2010 to an end. Radek Kolář Referee Training Seminar (February 14) From January 22–24, 2010, the first advanced referee seminar for holders of Czech Taekwon-Do ITF Federation referee licenses was held in Třeboň at the Aurora Spa Complex. The seminar was led by the federation’s Chief Referee, MUDr. Rostislav Kaňka (6th Dan), assisted by members of the Referee Department: Bc. Zbyněk Mácha (4th Dan), Ondřej Vrábel (4th Dan) The event was primarily intended for experienced referees, participants seeking to improve their knowledge and skills, and candidates pursuing the C1-level referee license. However, several less-experienced federation members with a serious interest in refereeing also attended. Unlike basic referee seminars, which are usually held over two days, this event followed a three-day format. The program included: Review and reinforcement of theoretical knowledge Expansion of rules expertise Extensive practical referee training in all five ITF Taekwon-Do disciplines Participants also analyzed video recordings of both athletes and referees from competitions in the Czech Republic, including national Talent Development Center training camps, as well as international events such as World Championships. At the conclusion of the seminar, candidates seeking the C1 license completed an examination. As a result, Pardubice gained a new C1-licensed referee — Radek. Referee Department and Radek Kolář Finally Gold After Years (November 20) The Czech National Championships took place in Nymburk on November 14–15. Anyone with reasonably functional hands and feet could compete. ?? Unfortunately, not everybody arrived in perfect condition. Isn’t that right, Aleš? Our team consisted of nine members. Referees Lenka Myself Competitors Zbyněk Aleš Péťa Korty Jakub Koutský Lenka Havránková Petr Rejman We stayed in a small hotel near the ice rink, close to the town center. Apparently, we were one of the few groups that did not fit into the Sports Center accommodation. Fortunately, the hotel was very comfortable. The first competition day, Saturday, featured Lenka and Jakub. Despite good performances, neither managed to reach the medal positions. Both lacked some competitive experience, particularly in breaking events, where they successfully broke boards but failed to meet the exact technical requirements regarding procedure or striking surface. The night before the second day of competition, Aleš, Zbyněk, and I stayed up watching Muay Thai fights, hoping to find some extra motivation for Sunday. Unfortunately, it did not help very much. Among our competitors, Korty probably fought the best, although he still lost his match. Aleš competed in the heaviest weight division as if following the motto: „If you dodge, you won’t get hit.“ Unfortunately, he seemed more interested in proving the opposite. ?? The heavyweight division also included Zbyněk and Korty. Péťa won a bronze medal in junior sparring, while Korty earned a bronze medal in technical patterns. Around three o’clock in the afternoon, the final discipline of the day began: power breaking. In the Senior B division, Petr Rejman qualified for the competition but fell short of a medal. Immediately afterward came the Senior A division featuring Korty and Zbyněk. Both successfully qualified. Zbyněk delivered a dominant performance, breaking all five techniques. He even successfully completed his turning kick—the technique that occasionally caused him problems in training and often left him walking away from the boards with a painful expression. Only one other competitor from the field of approximately twenty athletes managed to break all five techniques, forcing a tiebreaker for first place. The draw selected Zbyněk’s „favorite“ turning technique for the deciding round. Despite the boards being more difficult than in the previous rounds, Zbyněk successfully completed his technique again. His opponent failed to connect properly, and Zbyněk finally secured the gold medal he had been chasing for years after collecting silver and bronze medals in the discipline. Congratulations to everyone for their excellent performances. I am already looking forward to the next event—perhaps another competition. Radek Kolář