Successful sparring and pattern seminar in Ethiopia

On May 27 – 29, 2023, a successful sparring and pattern seminar was held in the capital of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa. The seminar attracted more than 200 black belts (plus red belts). The Ethiopian International Taekwon-Do Federation (EITF) invited GM Paul Weiler, ITF president, together with Master Brahim Triqui (Team Coach German national team) to conduct a multiday sparring and pattern seminar. Participants came from all provinces of the country to attend this extraordianry seminar. Among them were the candidates of the Ethiopian national team who wanted to prepare for the World Championship in Finland and get important tips. In addition, a participant from Burkina Faso made the long journey just to participate in Addis Ababa.

The entire EITF board had turned up at the airport early in the morning (6 am) to greet and welcome GM Weiler and Master Triqui, the two guests from distant Germany, with a bouquet of flowers. For Master Triqui it was his first trip to Ethiopia while GM Weiler was welcomed for the 24th time in 15 years. After checking into the hotel, the schedule for the next few days was discussed as well as the planned participation of the Ethiopian national team in the World Championships in Finland. There was still a little time left for sightseeing.

Start of the seminar

On entering the hall on Saturday morning, GM Weiler and Master Triqui were greeted with thunderous applause and after a short speech, two groups were formed. While Master Triqui took care of the group up to 2nd Dan and taught sparring techniques, GM Weiler took over the group of 3rd Dan and higher and taught the patterns.

During the sparring training, it soon became clear that the use of hand techniques requires intensive training, as does the tactical training to lead a fight. These two points were worked on intensively during the next three days. Master Triqui transmitted countless forms of exercises from his almost inexhaustible repertoire and inspired all participants.

In the area of Tul, considerable progress was made and the focus was more on fine-tuning.

After the lunch break, the groups were swapped accordingly and the first television station from Addis Ababa recorded training sequences and interviews to be broadcast later by the station.

On the following day, the training sessions were extended and intensified, which was good for motivation, and the fun factor was not neglected either.

Reception by the Minister of Sport

The new Minister of Sport and former Ambassador, His Excellency Mesfin Chernet, gave GM Weiler the opportunity to arrange a meeting in his office on Monday afternoon despite his busy schedule. GM Weiler took the opportunity to personally thank him for his help in the previous year, as this had made it possible to register the African Taekwon-Do Federation (ATF; founded in 2016) in Ethiopia at the end of last year. This step gave the development of the federation in Ethiopia and on this continent a considerably enhanced image.

In the course of the talks, which lasted about 45 minutes, both sides declared their intention to continue working closely together in the future and to continue supporting ITF Taekwon-Do in Ethiopia. GM Weiler convinced the Minister of Sport that the ITF, with its headquarters in Switzerland, is not only the oldest and thus most original ITF organisation, but also the most professional. As proof, we are the only ITF organisation that has, among other things, a continental federation in Africa (to which the Minister himself contributed).

Honour for GM Weiler

The Ethiopian Federation did not miss the opportunity to honour GM Weiler for 15 years of service to Ethiopia and the entire African continent. The EITF thanked GM Weiler for the organisation and support and prepared a ceremony accordingly. While a poster was posted in the hall throughout the event, the last evening was spent celebrating in a close circle with a cake with the inscription “15th Anniversary” and a glass of wine.

Thank you EITF!