FABIAN ITF

Overview

The 180th International Instructor Course (IIC) took place from September 13 to 15, 2024, in Tampere, Finland. Hosted by Black Eagle Taekwon-Do Finland, this highly anticipated event was supported by the International Taekwon-Do Federation (ITF) and ITF Taekwon-Do Finland. A total of 150 participants from eight countries attended the seminar, representing Ireland, Latvia, Norway, Poland, Senegal, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and Finland.

The IIC was led by three esteemed Grand Masters:

• Grand Master Hector Marano (Argentina)
• Grand Master Ung Kim Lan (Germany)
• Grand Master Jerzy Jedut (Poland)

The event focused on a range of key Taekwon-Do topics, including:

• Fundamental techniques
• Patterns
• Various forms of sparring
• Self-defense

Seminar Highlights

Day 1: Friday, September 13, 2024

The seminar commenced at 14:00 with a warm welcome and an invigorating warm-up session conducted by Grand Master Jerzy Jedut. The first day was dedicated to a comprehensive review of color belt patterns, providing participants with a detailed breakdown of techniques and corrections. After an intensive training session, participants enjoyed a traditional Finnish sauna to relax and recover.

Day 2: Saturday, September 14, 2024

The second day began at 9:00 and concluded at 16:00. The day’s agenda included:

• Patterns for 1st to 3rd degree black belts
• Various forms of sparring
• Practical self-defense techniques

The instructors provided a deep dive into each of these areas, ensuring that participants received clear and in-depth explanations. The evening ended with a banquet at Varala, where participants and instructors shared experiences and built camaraderie.

Day 3: Sunday, September 15, 2024

The final day of the seminar started at 9:00 and ended at 13:00. This session focused on:

• Patterns for 4th to 6th degree black belts
• A comprehensive review of lower-degree patterns
• A closing sparring session led by Grand Master Jedut

The IIC concluded with a final address from the Grand Masters, expressing their gratitude and encouragement for all participants to continue their journey in Taekwon-Do with renewed energy and focus.

Feedback and Reviews

The seminar received high praise from participants and instructors alike.

• Grand Master Hector Marano commended the number of participants, the excellent facilities, and the smooth organization of the event.
• Sabum Dorota Mazur shared her appreciation for the flawless organization and the smaller group size, which allowed for more in-depth instruction. She also highlighted the close connection with the technical committee, which made the learning experience even more accessible and enriching.

Acknowledgements

We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the Grand Masters for sharing their invaluable expertise and experience throughout the course. Special thanks to all participants, as well as everyone who contributed to the success of the event. We also would like to thank Varala Sports institute especially Marita Kivistö who’s support has been amazing. Finally all our volunteers led by Annika Nieminen and our photographer Nelli Malmivaara. We look forward to future seminars and the continued growth of the Taekwon-Do community.

MASTER Thierry Meyour

180th IIC Finland ReportRead More

The 179th International Taekwon-Do Federation (ITF) International Instructors Course (IIC) was held in Jamaica at the National Sports Complex, Kingston, from Friday August 23 to Saturday August 24, 2024. This IIC was organized and hosted by the Jamaica Taekwon-Do Association.

We are pleased to report that there was a total of 82 participants from around the world including Trinidad & Tobago, United States of America, Barbados, Canada, Dominica Republic, Anguilla, Puerto Rico, and Jamaica. The environment was a lovely one with friendships being renewed. The participants were afforded the opportunity to enjoy the Jamaican culture, the food, the music and beautiful people and the beaches. The IIC sessions being conducted from 8:45 am to 4:30 pm daily. High praises were shared by participants on the quality which was presented for this IIC by the ITF Technical committee and the Organization Committee.

The IIC was conducted by the ITF Technical Committee members, Grand Master Hector Marano and Grand Master Ung Kim Lan. The course covered fundamentals of warm ups exercises, patterns, step sparring, sparring, self-defense and cool down exercises. During these sessions there were discussions on the “Do” and different way how we should integrate in our Taekwon-Do practice and our daily lives. This we should always remember as we embark and continue our martial arts training.

On Friday August 23, 2024 the participants had the pleasure of having dinner with the Grand Masters and Masters who were in attendance at the IIC. It was lovely to see also family and friends in attendance. This dinner was well received as there was a small program of acknowledgement of individuals, presentations, sharing of courtesies, integrated with love and great Jamaica food.

On the close of the IIC, the general feedback was very positive, comments and passion of enjoyment was shared. Participants from Jamaica who were doing their 1^st IIC was overwhelmed with joy as this event gave a larger look at our Taekwon-do training and create an atmosphere for making new friends.

On Thursday August 22, 2024, there was a Masters testing where three (3) new Masters were promoted. All 3 Masters were from Jamaica. We congratulate Master Clement Officer, Master Joleen Masters and Master Gordon Black on their promotion. This too is a significant development milestone for the Jamaica Taekwon-do Association.

The Jamaica Taekwon-Do Association would like to thank the ITF Technical committee, the Masters, Instructors, Black belts, Participants, Family, Friends and Well-wishers who contributed in making this event such a beautiful and memorable experience. Nuff respect and One Love!

Best Regards,

Master Arthur Barrows
President – Jamaica Taekwon-do Association
Member – Jamaica 2024 IIC Organizing Committee

179th IIC Jamaica – reportRead More

The 1st Taekwon-Do Harmony Online course was held on the weekend of August 10 and 11, 2024. The IHC is based on integrating those aged 50 and older into ITF Taekwon-Do by adapting the ITF syllabus to suit those wishing to start training in later life.

The course was held in Spanish and was attended by members from 7 countries, including Argentina, Spain, Chile, Brazil, Paraguay, Ecuador and Chinese Taipei.

The course was also attended by the Master Leo Oros Duek (ITF Treasurer) GM Héctor Marano (chair of the ITF Technical and Instruction Committee), GM Azucena Zorzón (President of the Central and South American Taekwon-Do Federation FCST), GM Rodolfo Samara, and Master Andreu Martínez (member of the ITF Do Committee).

After the presentation, Sbn. Tarja Korhonen spoke about her experience in the formation of Taekwon-Do Harmony groups in Finland, accompanied by a BBC video where Salme Numela was the protagonist. Salme is a well-known, Finnish ITF black belt starting ITF Taekwon-Do at the age of 75.

During the first day, different topics related to the physical, psychological and social characteristics of the elderly were developed. For example, scope and benefits of the program, characteristics of the instructor, Memory and attention. The program of the first day was conducted Sbn. Gastón Casero, chair of the Harmony Committee, and Sbn. Cinthia Bordón, member of that committee and a Lic. in Psychology.

The contents of the first part of the second day were in charge of Sbn. Eduardo Quinteros and covered chronic non-communicable diseases, how to respond to eventualities in classes, first aid, rights of the elderly, how to address them and prevention of falls. In the second part, Sbn Gastón Casero developed the organization and contents of a class, the characteristics of the practice space and how to develop physical capacities within a safety framework.

A very rich weekend in concepts to be applied in classes with older people.

Report on the 1st IHC onlineRead More