On Saturday and Sunday the 25th and 26th of September, the 2010 Cork I.N.T.A. Technical seminar took place in Glanmire Community College, Cork. Conducting the seminar was the technical committee of the I.N.T.A. consisting of Master Brendan O’Toole VIII Degree and president of the I.N.T.A., Master Val Douglas VII Degree, vice president of the I.N.T.A. and Master Gerry Martin VII Degree.

Saturday: Colour Belts and Black belts

Saturday morning started with a huge welcome from all the students for the masters followed by Master Douglas doing a 15 minute warm up which involved numerous forms of exercise challenging the students from start to finish.

From simple running drills to the more advanced sparring drills, the students were treated to a variety of new forms of exercise that intrigued all. Master O’Toole then went through the theory of power and sine-wave, explaining the application of tradition movements and the need for concentration while imagining a real life opponent while practicing the patterns.

Starting at Saju-Jirug Master O’Toole then continued through the colour belt patterns stopping to explain every movement in detail including the different motions attached to each pattern.

As each student finished the relevant pattern for their grade they then left the pattern class and joined master Douglas and Master Martin. Here they were to practice one and three step sparring and again each and every movement was dissected, advice given and corrections made. A huge difference was to be seen after this session proving that training with the masters is a positive asset to any students training programme.

In the evening the masters visited the International Airport hotel in Cork, the venue for the upcoming black belt grading. The masters were treated to a view of all the facilities including the area to be used for the grading the dining areas and even the rooms to occupied by the guests. A final look gave the masters a glimpse of the Pullman room which will be used for their rests during the grading day and all were very impressed with the luxury afforded them.

Later that night a number of the instructors went for a meal where they met with Master Robert Wheatley from Nevada and a number of the senior grades from his association including Cork’s Master Norman Creedon.

A very enjoyable evening was had and Numerous discussions regarding mutual interests in Taekwon-Do went on while everyone enjoyed a social occasion.

Sunday 2nd Kup and Black belts

The warm up was conducted on Sunday morning by Master Martin and involved a number of dodging exercises getting the minds going and making sure the students were awake early on Sunday morning. Following this was series of stretching exercises getting the students ready for what was to lay ahead.

Again Mater O’Toole dissected each and every pattern, this time in more detail and leaving nothing unchecked.

After the students reached their current level they were left in the safe and capable hands of Master Martin to do step sparring.

Meanwhile Master O’Toole continued with the black belt patterns and both master Douglas and Master Martin moved on to three step sparring when two step was completed. Later the whole group revisited the step sparring syllabus together with all the Masters and demonstrations were followed by final corrections. The final session in the afternoon consisted of the senior black belt patterns up to 6th Degree with Master O’Toole while the other students continued with pad work and sparring drills etc.

A full self defense class organized by Master Douglas provided an insight to all who participated and again a huge recourse was unveiled in the session. Following this was a session on drills with focus pads, air shield and paddles and every student sweated while still relishing in the challenges before them.

Everyone agreed the weekend was an enormous success and all the masters were personally thanked for their efforts. Roll on the next seminar.