Newsletter 3/2013 The 86th IIC in Zvenigorod Russia
The 86th IIC was held in Hotel Lipki in Zvenigorod 30km outside of Moscow with 126 participants Russia, Belorussia, Scotland, Mongolia, Serbia , Uzbekistan and Israel. Some of these participants drove for 10 hours to attend the IIC showing the true dedication to our art and willing to learn and unify our teaching.
I had the honour of being invited to attend this IIC by President of Russian federation Master Lazos who I have known for many years and we have become firm friends. The last time I visited Russia-St Petersburg was 1997 at the World championships, so I was very keen to visit again another part of Russia.
GM Marano, GM Bos and GM Lan were warmly welcomed to Russia by all parties. The perfect event organization was in hands of host Mr. Yuri Gromov 6th degree who did a wonderful job making sure all the GM were picked up and looked after during their stay in Moscow. Even though the traffic was sometimes so busy it took 2-3 hour to get to anywhere.
Myself and Mr David McNarin 6th deg from Scotland and wife Elaine were treated like special guests for the duration of our stay and I cant thank the organisation and Master Lazos/Gromov enough for their hospitality. Nothing was too much trouble.
On Thursday before the IIC we were taken to visit Red Square and treated to traditional Russian/Mongolian food and a trip to a Russian market. These sights were so interesting and our guide, Vasilis-Master Lazos brother was a great guide and very knowledgeable to all our questions. When the IIC stared 126 students were very keen to get started and learn as much as possible over the 3 days.
On Friday the senior grades began with a small questions and answer session with GM Marano which proved to be very interesting and informative. I love to learn and was happy with this section, listening to others view points and questions.
The course of the weekend was well planned with the 3 GM's taking turns every hour in order to teach different grades and different aspects of our wonderful art. This I liked very much as there was not a time that was too long on one topic and we got to cover everything. Self defense along with pre step sparring were spread over the course of the weekend. The GM´s were very knowledgeable and answered many questions from some very keen TKD practitioners. Master Lazos 7th degree and ITF Russia President acted as a perfect and always present interpretator.
The GM's were also very humorous in their teaching which made it fun and interesting to learn, especially for the senior’s grades who usually are the teachers. For me this was good to learn and not teach.
I was very honoured when GM Marano asked me, 6th times World Champion and present at the IIC to learn more to teach the 1st degree some sparring techniques which was a great surprise. To be put on the spot at an IIC was something else but a great experience that will stay with me.
I think the students enjoyed the lesson very much because of the difference in style and teaching in another way. I hope they were very inspired.
Saturday evening a traditional Russian style banquet was organized with some presentations for the GM's and foreign guests. The Russian organization and hospitality was wonderful along with students aged 13 to 63 years old who trained very hard all weekend with enthusiasm and great spirit. To meet old friends and make new is very special.
I was also so happy to be with my great friend Ekaterina Kozlachkova 4th with whom we wrote our book - Julia Cross The way of a champion. We created a special friendship through writing this book which will last. During the course of the weekend I was humbled with how many people had read my book and brought copies to sign, this was a very special and touching moment.
When writing with her I never thought that I would visit her in her home town. This was a wonderful experience I think for both of us.
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Thank you Master Lazos for the invite and hospitality.
Julia Cross V deg
