The weekend featured a variety of martial arts styles, with participants coming from as far as Christchurch and Otago.
Spokesman Peter Shaw said the first day included a refereeing seminar by Lin Liu, a taekwondo expert and international sparring judge.
On that day, Mr. Liu covered the basics of starting the match with proper etiquette, controlling the match, ring management, safety requirements, hand signals, checking equipment, responding to protests, deducting penalties, and announcing the winner at the end of the match. Explained the matter.
Mr Shaw said the sport's wide age range and huge number of competitors made safety a top priority and the primary role of referees.
The second day was led by master instructor Jung Joo (Jason) Kim. Mr. Kim holds a 6th degree in Taekwondo and a 5th degree in Haedong Kendo (Korean sword training). He is also a world Taekwondo competition judge.
Before the class began, Christchurch Haedong Kung Do and Taekwondo instructor William Kim was awarded his black belt.
Mr. Kim's presentation was about the basics of Haedong Gumdo, first explaining the structure of the sword, and then explaining the safety aspects associated with the use of “live blades.”
The students quickly become familiar with how to hold the weapon, and through numerous cutting motions, body movements, turns, attack and defense drills, they learn and practice two of the eight patterns and safely sheath the sword. Rearranged and finally tested cutting and extinguishing the candle. sword.
Kim was the first instructor to introduce this martial art to New Zealand, and it was the first time it was taught south of Christchurch.
Mr Shaw said World Taekwondo is the only form of taekwondo recognized at the Olympics and has grown rapidly around the world since it was introduced as an exhibition sport at the 1988 Seoul Olympics.
