Newsletter > Newsletter 1/2005 > Mr. Willy van de Mortel in Ireland
A.E.T.F. REPORT
Newsletter 1/2005
Mr. Willy van de Mortel in Ireland

Last weekend (22nd and 23rd of January) the All Ireland Taekwon-Do Association (AITA) hosted Mr. Willy van de Mortel for a sparring seminar in Dublin, Ireland.

The seminar was a huge success; over 70 competitors took part, ranging in rank from 8th Kup to V Degree, and in age from 8 to 41. People travelled form all over Ireland to attend the seminar, and one competitor from New Zealand came along.



 

 

I think that everyone learned a lot in a seminar that was run in a very pleasant, productive atmosphere. Here are some of the comments that I collected from participants:

One of the best seminars that I have ever participated in. I learned a great deal as a competitor and as a coach. Mr. van de Mortel motivates you to work hard, even when you feel exhausted; he is a very talented instructor and a talented technician."

"Mr. van de Mortel teaches techniques that can be easily incorporated into your own style, nothing overly complicated, and he explains everything thoroughly."

"It was brilliant! It was great that it was a technique based seminar with no actual sparring."

"Mr. van de Mortel explains things and demonstrates techniques very well; he gave us some great tactics and techniques."

The day before the seminar, I had the honour of escorting Mr. van de Mortel and his wife Hennita around Dublin; what impressed me the most about his visit was his manner and the complete lack of arrogance therein.

I have invited Mr. van de Mortel to return to Ireland in 2005, and then at least twice per year for the next few years so that the standard of competitive sparring in Ireland may reach new heights.

I, like many others, am looking forward to his next visit!


Yours in Taekwon-Do,
Paul McNicholas, AITA President

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