Sunday morning in December outside it is one of the wildest days I’ve seen yet, it’s wet windy and miserable. I step inside St. Mary’s College in Naas and all I see is smiling faces. Kids, teenagers, adults all smiling and laughing and having fun and I think to myself this is why I love Taekwon-Do.
The now annual event conducted by our own Master Francis Barrett 7th Degree and Mr. Floyd Keane 5th Degree attracted students from all over the country. I couldn’t believe some people still travelled up from the country with the weather being so bad but I’m glad they did it made the day to see so many different ages and grades from beginner to 5th degree Black Belt all together eager to learn. The morning part of the seminar was the self-defence part where Master Barrett shared his endless knowledge with all the students concentrating on releasing from numerous grabs and holds. This was a novelty for most students as it is not part of our grading syllabus but still in Taekwon-Do there are hundreds of these moves.
After warming up Master Barrett explained to all that he will show and practice but a few of these releases the basic most common ones needed for out in the street. It is up to each student to practice these within there own dojang, reiterating that these will not be perfected in a single morning or by repeating them incorrectly but with proper practice will be worthwhile. We all got our partners and the buzz started in the hall, the excitement of learning something new filtered throughout the place. As we tried our best to get out of our partners hold Master Barrett went to each and every student explaining, answering any questions and helping us get it right, an honour to be given such time and patients. Every single person learned something new and thoroughly enjoyed especially near the end of the morning session when Master Barrett took time out to answer any questions the students might have or scenario in which they would like to get out of. The most common one asked is the Headlock it was amazing to see the amount of different ways to get out of it everyone was wide eyed and hungry to learn. So by lunchtime with red wrists and smiling faces we headed back into the cold to refuel for afternoon of Sparring.
Mr. Keane started the afternoon being a little nice I think on account of the full stomachs, but we soon got into learning new techniques, the importance of defending and the different ways of scoring points in competition. Again being taught by someone with such knowledge of sparring was an absolute honour. We started with how to relax and move our feet keeping the guard up and just weaving in and out of each other without touching of course great fun in a hall full of people. We progressed in practicing different techniques mostly new to the students combining different techniques and how to make them work. The faces getting red and the smiles still wide as we bobbed, jumped, spun, then did all three together, the family atmosphere was fantastic, everyone wanting to learn from green tag to black belt, competitors and aspiring competitors getting the hunger for the world stage. Mr. Keane has a great way of showing you how to be relaxed and explaining the importance of defending, even in competition its not just about scoring but also not getting hit, stopping the other person from scoring and like Master Barrett went to each and every person explaining helping us all get it right, answering any questions and giving us his time and expertise. I can safely say that everyone learned something new and had a completely fantastic day which to me is what it’s all about.
I would like to thank both Master Barrett and Mr. Keane and I hope next year is even better even if the weather gets worse I’m sure anyone who was there will be coming back and bringing a friend.
Deborah Manning 3rd Degree Balck Belt
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