Jaroslaw Suska on his way for the 5th time World Champion title; Wellington, New Zealand

AETF reporter
Katarzyna Rozwadowska

Email to KR

Mr. Jaroslaw Suska, 5-time World Champion and 19-time European Champion, is a real legend, a very unique person, and an amazing competitor who delights Taekwon-Do practitioners all over the world with his perfectionism. Called ‘the best pattern performer ever’ by a great many authorities, as well as his fans. His amazing performances, either during the tournaments or at the seminars and camps, always gather round many competitors, coaches, Masters, supporters and spectators alike. We watch this iconic member of the Polish National Team of many years with admiration, respect, and simply enjoy watching him perform tuls or any other taekwon-do technique, and we simply cannot take our eyes off him. This champion is an inspiration and an excellent role model to follow for a plethora of taekwon-do enthusiasts. Those who have had a chance to train at Mr. Suska’s session know pretty well that he is really tough, demanding, professional, and very serious from the first minute to the very end of the training session. We love to watch him, take pictures and record videos of his performances, but I think it’s high time we got to know him a little bit better.

Name: Jaroslaw Suska
Date of birth: 18.10.1972
Degree: VI Degree
Country: Poland
Club: MKS Lewart AGS Lubartów
Instructor: Master Jerzy Jedut

World Championships 2009:
Mar del Plata, Argentina

• Could you tell us a little bit about yourself?
  Jaroslaw Suska, 39 years old. I am a physical education teacher by profession, and I work in a school in Lubartow. I also teach taekwon-do with Master Jerzy Jedut in Lubartow, in the MKS Lewart Lubartow Club. I am the happy husband of wonderful Anita and a proud father two great boys aged 4 and 7. I met my wife at my club. Obviously, at the beginning we were just fiends, trained in different groups, as Anita signed up for training one year after me. We grew closer in 1991, and we got married in 2002.

• How did your adventure with Taekwon-Do start?
  My adventure with Taekwon-Do started in 1985 quite by accident. I accompanied a friend of mine, who wanted to enroll for trainings, on his way to a gym. I was confident because my brother Mariusz had already been training taekwon-do for 18 months, so I knew where the gym was and how to enroll for the classes. During the workout there was a stretching part and I noticed that people were not well stretched, so I showed of my skills in front of my friend and did the splits to impress him. Master Jedut, the instructor saw it. I was scared because he pointed at me and asked to do the splits again. I jumped on a bench and did the twine once more. I had always said that my flexibility was a ‘gift from God’ because I had always been flexible, although I had never worked on it before. It was then revealed that I was related to Mariusz Suska who was present at the gym at that time. Master Jedut said that I can start training in two weeks. I opened my eyes wide in surprise and I said ‘yes’. Exactly two weeks later I came back for my first training session. It was Wednesday 7:15p.m., 27th February, 1985, and this fantastic journey has continues till this day.

Jaroslaw Suska with the instructor, Master Jerzy Jedut and friends from MKS Lewart Lubartow

• What did Taekwon-do look like back when you started training?
  Taekwon-Do has changed so much. At that time we only based on what the Korean instructors showed us. Classes were long, very hard, and based mainly on fundamental techniques. At a later stage, sparring was added despite the instructors' limited knowledge on the subject. Training sessions mainly consisted of a large number of repetitions of each technique. Repeating at least 10 kicks for each leg, including double and triple ones in the air was common. Classes lasted approximately 2.5 to 3 hours three or four times a week. With a group of enthusiasts we did some extra training. We ran to a meadow for a few kilometers and trained together next to our special, lonely tree. We called it ‘our holy place’. It was a great passion that continues till this day.

 

(2005) Polish Taekwon-Do Magazine - Taekwon-Do! Left: Jaroslaw Suska (III Dan) performing Bandae Dollyo Chagi; Right: Mariusz Suska and Anita Pasek-Suska

• Do you remember your first exam and an exam for your Black Belt?
  Of course I remember. I do not know what really guided me, maybe some kind of forethought. From the very beginning, from the first exam I have been keeping my own chronicle. I had everything written down scrupulously from each exam: what I have been doing, what techniques, how many repetitions etc. I remember everything very well, but sometimes I also refresh my memory reading these notes. The exams were different, though perhaps not so much. I remember lot of boards breaking. My exam for black belt took place during the central black belt testing in Warsaw, in front of the son of General Choi – Choi Jung Hwa.

• Was any exam difficult for you?
  Each exam is difficult. I’m neither special or unique, or different from others, and every exam is a great experience, and it’s certainly not easy. My last grading for VI Degree took place in December, 2010. I think that now it seems to be more difficult for me. Longer time between exams is instrumental. Nowadays people can grade for colour belts every year or even every six months. I took my first exam after 1.5 years of training, second one after another year. These breaks were once longer. Today colour belts grading are held more often and people can get used to them, even if there is still stress and the jitters. I actually find it more difficult as I grow older. It’s a few years’ break in exams for higher degrees, and of course my age. As we are getting older some kind of fear creeps up on us. ‘Is it gonna be to be fine? Is everything gonna be as it was in training?’ I know that some people say and think that this is easy for me, it is just a ‘mere formality’. It is not. This is a great experience every time and I have been preparing very honestly, and that won’t change for my next exam either.

Lublin, 12.12.2010 – Black Belt Exam (for VI Degree)

• What is the most important about Taekwon-Do for you?
  I think probably the fact that I am in Taekwon-Do. It is difficult to select one thing that is most important to me because Taekwon-Do has really become my life in 100%. This martial art is present in my life day in day out. Even at school I use some exercises from Taekwon-Do with my school students during the lessons. So, TKD also gave me the tools for my work as a schoolteacher. Taekwon-Do is at home as well because my wife is training too, and she holds IV Degree black belt. Now she is training much less because of our children, but she was once in Polish National Team for many years, and she won a lot of medals in her career. She is really one of the best competitors in Poland. So, topics for discussions related to this martial art are always aplenty, and Taekwon-Do is always in our minds. However, this is not ‘fanaticism’. When it comes to the impact TKD has had on our lives, I'd say it is the way we look at and respect people. As an instructor I see it all. Some people put more effort and sweat more, and some people less. So, it reflects into life, people’s work is more appreciated. I think that respect for people is number one.

Jaroslaw Suska at a tournament with Anita Pasek-Suska, Master Jerzy Jedut, and friends from Polish National Team

• You are well known particularly as a pattern performer, but I know that you used to compete in sparring as well, and you had some successes in this category too. Do you sometimes want to try sparring again, or is your focus primarly on patterns?
  Yes, many people associate me with the patterns. ‘Jaroslaw Suska = patterns.’ For many Jaroslaw Suska means ‘patterns’. I perform patterns very often, I spend so much time on them. I really like the tuls. I found the real sense of Taekwon-do in them. However, patterns are not everything. As you mentioned, I competed in sparring in the past, but this stage finished naturally. It is not unusual for people to start checking themselves at competitions after spending some time training. I also started in this way. To be honest, it wasn’t my own choice, I was just guided. I didn’t think about any tournaments at the beginning. In fact, there were no Taekwon-Do competitions, so I had to take part in other sports and martial arts tournaments instead.
  Well, I wasn’t bad at sparring. As a proof I can mention the title of Polish Champion in Sparring or ranking 1st in sparring at the ’89 World Cup, which was my great achievement. It was there that I fought against many well known fighters, even though I was a fledgling then: I had actually no experience in sparring at that time. I relied on my technique and Master Jedut’s counsel and advice. To be honest, I didn’t have any idea or plan for my fights. I was just a person with good technique and a good coach. The technique I had put emphasis on from the beginning of my training really helped me and hampered my opponents. Many of them repeatedly experienced my kicks on their heads during a fight. I also won some medals at the World and European Championships. I took part in sparring at the competition for the last time in 2002. However, I did not renounce sparring. At the training I put my gloves on and train with other students. I treat Taekwon-Do in a broad sense and not narrow it down to mere sport. For me, TKD does not end with the rivalry. I devoted myself to sport so much, but I know that this is only one part of my life. Of course, seeing the rivalry end will be a pity. First of all, because of the rivalry, this special kind of feeling when you stand on the mat and feel the adrenaline which propels you. Sport definitely motivates you to train, because it is some sort of goal – not the most important, but it still is. Sport means also meeting people. Well, I may go to tournaments as a tourist, a supporter, or a coach. I will always train Taekwon-Do, even when the rivalry finishes. I will improve my technique, and will improve other things, which are unfortunately eclipsed by ‘sport’. I mean self-defense taken very seriously. I have already started self-defense classes. Also, I would like to concentrate on hardening attacking and blocking tools. I would also like to develop ‘Do’ among Taekwon-Do practitioners, which is already an important part in my training. So, there is lots of work to do, even when the sport finishes.

MKS Lewart Lubartow – Organiser of the Polish Championships 2003

• Do you remember your first competition?
  Yes, I remember it! I took part in the first tournament after one year of training taekwon-do. It was a kickboxing competition in Warsaw. There were two qualifying competitions for an international tournament in Hungary for children up to 14, and Lego was the organizer. I didn’t hold any degree in TKD at that time. Everyone knows what the skills after a year of training are. I had had my gloves on only a few times and during a few sparring trainings when someone showed me how to punch, and how to perform in sparring. I entered into fights at the competition in Warsaw. I fought with people who had trained kickboxing a few years at least and I think they were quite good. I treated those fights lightly, just like a game, completely unaware of the risk - like every kid. What I remember from all four battles were four broken and bleeding noses of my opponents. I won this competition. The decisive technique behind my victories was double Dolyo Chagi – one kick to the stomach and another one to the head. In every bout all kickboxers lowered their guard when I Dolyo-kicked into the stomach, and then I landed the second Dolyo on the head. I also did well at the second competition and qualified, as well as my friend from Lubartow, for the international tournament in Budapest. I didn’t win there. I won two fights and was disqualified in the third one. I didn’t actually know why, and I still do not know. The referee suddenly motioned that I couldn’t fight any longer. I didn’t know the (Hungarian), language went to this competition with a strange guardian-coach from Warsaw who didn’t care much about our group. The judge told me to get off the mat. I lost, and that was the end. I regretted it, because the Lego blocks were really cool.

• Which tournament do you remember the most?
  I remember many competitions and many of them are important for me, but undoubtedly the number one is World Championships in Italy, Riccione in 2001. I beat a Korean guy in the final. It was the first World Champion title for our club MKS Lewart AGS Lubartów, so it was also something great and special for Master Jedut, my instructor. But most of all, it was special for me. I won some medals at World Championships before, but they weren’t gold. I was very close especially in Petersburg in 1997, where I lost in the final to the guy representing Korea. The World Championship in Italy is something that will stay in my memory forever. I always get emotional when I look back on that moment.

 

World Championships 2001: Riccione, Italy

• Do you still have, after so many years of competing, jitters on the mat? Is there anything which helps you overcome nervousness?
  Yes, I always get nervous before step onto the mat. Everyone has his own ways: some people listen to the music, some talk to their friends, others go to some quiet places and meditate. It is really hard to overcome these jitters. I would like to add that with age, the older I grow, the greater the jitters are. I was definitely on the role when I implemented ‘autogenic training’. Everyone who takes a little bit of psychology knows what this training is. I imagined my bouts, the whole tournament - and that helped me. I told myself very often, ‘I’m not going to compete with anyone, but give a demonstration. There is no opponent, I’m alone, and I’m going to give a show’. I tried to separate the competition from myself and my mind, and that kept me tranquil. I stood in front of the referees totally calm and waited for a name of pattern and the ‘Sijak’ command to start. My only task was to perform. With age, nerves are increasingly difficult to overcome. After so many years of competing and having won numerous times, I feel additional pressure. I literally feel everyone’s eyes and weight of such expectations on my back. People waiting for a single mistake, thinking of my possible loss, maybe something else. The fact that this is a feasible scenario upsets me a little bit. Obviously this is sport and everything is possible, things can happen. Nevertheless, I will not go to the corner and break down, although it will be unpleasant. Loss can happen to every competitor. There are no infallible people and everyone can go wrong or have a bad day - for various reasons. This is sport. However, this sport cannot be the most important. It cannot eclipse the whole of the art of Taekwon-Do.

European Championships 2012: Maribor, Slovenia. The Final with Massimo Persia (Italy)

• Can Jaroslaw Suska tell us why Jaroslaw Suska has achieved such a great success (!), and now is such a famous authority for many people practicing taekwon-do?
  Please, let me start from the second part of the question. Whether or not I am an authority would be best left for others to decide. I am very pleased that people recognize me and appreciate what I do. This is reflected in a great many different ways: from face to face meetings, through camps, seminars, competitions, to sending words of kindness via emails or posting them on websites. This is really nice. It’s a pleasant feeling and a great joy when people like what I do, how I perform, and when it is some kind of example for them to follow. I’m happy to read or hear that people would like to perform as well as I do, but I would like to perform even better. And that is my goal. Why have I had so much success? I think it’s especially hard work and perseverance, as I keep saying that to young people. It is not only as regards Taekwon-Do, but also every other aspect of life. Being persevering, systematic, conscientious – these things bring about the best results. Of course, some people are very lucky and win a lottery, but then it is sudden, and takes them by surprise. By contrast, goals are achieved through hard work. Naturally, there is also more contentment and satisfaction when you achieve substantial effects. Let me give an example of World Championships 2001 again. When you become a world champion after sixteen years of training then you can’t stop the tears. Of course, there are cases where someone becomes a world champion after a very short time, and I know such young people. However, many of them no longer exist in the world of Taekwon-do. Apparently, this title had no meaning to them. I can look at myself and say that I have been working really hard for my success.

Sports Achievements Awards 2007; Demonstration at Canary Wharf, London (Jaroslaw Suska and Marcin Wronowski)

• You are also a Taekwon-do instructor. What is most important to you about teaching others? What would you like your students to be like?
  I think that for many instructors the most important thing is educating people. This is the ‘DO’ in taekwon-do. I put great emphasis on the behaviour during my training sessions. This is very important to me. I also mean respect for others, appropriate behaviour in the Do-Jan, uniforms, bows, procedures etc. That cannot be treated like a circus or something insignificant – no, it should be actually natural. It is important to talk about the principles of Taekwon-Do and to enforce compliance with these rules. There is also a physical part. This is developing of skills, which is a very long and arduous process. There are very different people coming to the training hall and it sometimes takes a lot of time to get something out of a person. It is very difficult, but every good instructor is able to extract and find something valuable in each person. It is perhaps a measure of a good instructor: the extent to which they can change an average person into someone great.

• What are the key features of a TKD instructor?
  I think it is the ability to look at another person and the skill to bring out the best features of that person; getting into the student through appropriate methods, and every instructor should be familiar with many of such techniques. A good instructor should also be a good psychologist to encourage people to train Taekwon-Do. Every high-class instructor sets also a good example. If we, instructors, give good examples then others definitely follow us. Of course, students can follow bad models, but it doesn’t usually last long and they won’t bound with the instructor and a club. Sooner or later they will stop training.

• What are the key features of a TKD student?
  A good student is the one who listens, trains, and wants to learn. I would like to give my student, Marcin Wronowski, who is a 3-time European Champion in patterns as an example. I’m happy because he is an exceptional person. I have had many special people in my group, but some of them have left and are now training in other parts of Poland or the world, e.g. Ireland. And Marcin is still with me, which is very loyal of him (to me as an instructor). Marcin has been training for several years. He is an extremely helpful and polite man; basically, the kind you imagine a good student should be. I can’t say that he is perfect, but he strives for perfection. This is obviously collaborative work for a student and his instructor who complement each other. The instructor helps to draw up and find the goal, and then to achieve it.

Demonstration during Champions of the Sport Gala; Lublin, 2008 Jaroslaw Suska and Marcin Wronowski

• You are a competitor and an instructor. Is there any other activity related to taekwon-do that you help with?
  I am still a competitor, so I try to distance myself from any other activity in Taekwon-Do. There have been many times when I played two roles at the same time – those of a competitor and a coach, which was the case when I competed in the same tournament as some of my students. That was very difficult. When I finish my competing career then I will be able to concentrate on my work more.. some activity, and help the Polish Taekwon-Do Association. At the moment my help boils down to promoting Polish Taekwon-Do in Poland and abroad. People invite me to seminars and demonstrations. There is also a lot of promotion going on throughout the internet where you can find a great many videos viewed thousands of times, which proves a great interest. At present I am also involved in an innovative and very unique project called Black Belt. I think it is the first type of a multimedia program designed to learn Taekwon-Do. The first part is already on the market and is received with great interest. More information about this project on the official website (www.tkd-blackbelt.com) or on facebook (http://www.facebook.com/TKD.BlackBelt.Project). (More about Black Belt project also in the interview with its author at http://www.itfeurope.org/NL2011-04-29.html).

Jaroslaw Suska and Marcin Wronowski – guests at ‘Dzien Dobry TVN’ (‘Good Morning TVN’) TV programme

• You conduct seminars abroad. Which countries would you like to visit yet?
  Preferably all, but it obviously depends on the invitations, although no matter where I go, I'll try my best to promote taekwon-do, and show all the best I know of this martial art.

• You have been training for 27 years. Have you met someone in Taekwon-do who had a great impression on you?
  Definitely General Choi had the greatest impression on me. I met him many times during seminars. I also met him at some competitions, where he was awarding IV Dans during the medal ceremony. Certainly, General Choi is the number one for many Taekwon-do practitioners who had the opportunity to meet him.

Seminar with General Choi Hong Hi

• What was so special about General Choi, that he exerted such great impression on people?
  General Choi was a man of extraordinary charisma, and exuding a remarkable spirit. He was seen as grand, even though he wasn’t a tall man. One could feel some special powerful energy every time he entered a room. That was my impression. My wife Anita got also the same thoughts. I don’t know if everyone else felt like me, but for myself it was always a great experience to greet General Choi in person. It was especially pleasant when he was looking for me to ask for a pattern performance. That was always a great honour for me.

Seminar with General Choi Hong Hi

• Is there anyone else who has also influenced your way in Taekwon-Do, or was it just General Choi?
  General Choi, with his philosophy, is always in the first place as a founder of Taekwon-Do.
  There is, of course, Master Jerzy Jedut who has been my instructor since my first day of training up to this moment, and who has been very influential in shaping me over the years. He is the person who shaped my technique, who made me who I am today in tkd as far as techniques are concerned, always giving me the right directions. I am very lucky that my work and my instructor’s wisdom, his knowledge and experience have always been convergent. We have always been aiming towards a common goal.

European Championships 2012: Maribor, Slovenia; (Jaroslaw Suska, Master Jerzy Jedut)

• I’m well aware it must have cost you a lot of work to reach such a high level you have been representing for many years. I guess that without other people's help and support it would have been much harder.
  That one can learn Taekwon-Do in Lubartow, that there we have an excellent club, and that I ended up there and attained my skills - the credit for all that should go to Master Jerzy Jedut.
  If I were to thank someone, it should be to him for sure.
  There is also President of Polish Tekwon-Do Association, Master Tadeusz Loboda. Without him many things would never have happened to Polish taekwon-do, especially organization-wise. All the time and effort he puts into taekwon-do trips, competitions, and the Association are simply unimaginable. If we hadn’t participated in various tournaments, perhaps nobody in the world would ever know of a Jaroslaw Suska.
  Then there is my wife and my family as well. Once we would go to all taekwon-do events in Poland and abroad together – my wife and I. That was until 2003. Since then, our family has grown and my wife has reduced her taekwon-do activity, and I have been going to the tournaments and other events alone.
  Therefore, I would like to thank for her support and understanding, because I spend so much time away from home. Not only on trips to competitions, but also so much time on preparation before tournaments or training sessions every week. Especially before tournaments, when I have to leave home and go to training sessions every evening. Unfortunately, it is not easy and actually, the difficulty is increasing.

Jaroslaw Suska and Anita Pasek-Suska World Championships 2001; Riccione, Italy

• Have you ever had moments of doubt or crisis?
  I think moments like that happen to everyone. It has also happened to myself, but it was a very short time, maybe a month or so. Today I do not remember the reason for my crisis, nor do I want to remember it perhaps.

• Do you have other hobbies apart from Taekwon-Do?
  There is so little time for another hobby. In the past, when I had more free time, I listened to music and played the guitar. There once were many occasions for skiing and sailing, which hints at my past at University of Physical Education. I hoped that I would develop and practice these passions in the future, but it turned out that it is difficult, I simply lack the time. Now I can listen to music only in my car, because at home I both have to and want to give as much time as I can to my kids and my wife. Also, there are some duties at home.

Polish Taekwon-Do Winter Camp

• What music do you like?
  Definitely Pink Floyd is the best group. Generally I listen to classic rock, but also jazz, swing, and blues. I played the guitar in the past, so it accounts for sung poetry, various Polish compositions. Generally, the so-called good music.

• What book have you read recently?
  These days I read mainly stories for my kids (laugh). I’m ashamed to admit it, but I have a big backlog of reading. I mostly choose newspapers, some articles. Before the children were born, I had laid my hands on a good book more frequently.

• Have you bought your dream car yet, or you still saving for it?
  As a young man, when I didn’t have a driving license, my dream was a BMW.
  So, you know the answer.

• You are a lucky owner of a BMW! So that is the car of your dreams.
  I’m not quite sure if this car exactly is the one of my dreams. As a brand - definitely yes. The make is great, best of the cars I have possessed so far. However, I would like to change in the future for a stronger one or for a later version.

• Which dreams have come true in your life, and which ones are still waiting in a queue?
  Fortunately, there are dreams in my life which came true. Let start with taekwon-do. When it comes to sport, one dream is the year 2001. Before that, when I started training, my dream was to get a black belt. Tying a black belt on your dobok is a wonderful moment for everyone who trains, getting the title of World Champion too. When it comes to private life, this is my wonderful and happy family and a car I dreamt of about as a little boy. Which dreams are still in the queue? I have been always dreaming about a trip to Australia.

Polish Summer Taekwon-Do Camp 2008

The nearest upcoming seminars and camps with Mr. Jaroslaw Suska:

6th – 15th July 2012 - Poland, Biala Podlaska

17th Central Summer Camp in Poland
Organiser: Master Tadeusz Loboda, LSKT Lublin; Master Jerzy Jedut, MKS Lewart Lubartow
Link to the invitation: http://www.itfeurope.org/NL2012-01-56.html
Link to the report from the previous summer camp 2011: http://www.itfeurope.org/NL2011-03-16.html

22nd-23rd September 2012 - The Netherlands, Utrecht

Organiser: Mr Harry van Schaik, Kisport Martial Academy with cooperation with I-Con Promotions
Website: http://suska.kisport.nl
If you are interested in hosting your own seminar and wondered how to oganise it, please go to the following link on AETF official website
http://www.itfeurope.org/NL2012-01-03.html,
and for more information visit the I-Con Promotion’s page on facebook
> (the link - https://www.facebook.com/pages/I-Con-ProMotions/275504302495190).

Mr. Jaroslaw Suska took part in 124 tournaments during his Taekwon-Do career! He is the only Polish competitor who participated in all Polish Championships – and he won Pattern category 19 times (plus Sparring category 4 times). This great contestant also won all (11) Polish Cups in Patterns IV-VI Dan Category since 2002. I would like to present Mr Suska’s best achievements.

Polish National Team; the European Championships 1996; Riccione, Italy

Team Pattern; European Championships 2012; Maribor, Slovenia

World Championships 2011; Wellington, New Zealand