Month: August 2016

Taekwondo Olympics 2016

Olympic Taekwondo 2016

So as another installment of Olympic Taekwondo comes to a conclusion, it’s time for us to once again reflect on the bigger picture that is Taekwondo.

Every 4 years the same debates roll out regarding the presence of Taekwondo in the Olympics, and many self-proclaimed traditionalists will testify that the Taekwondo on public view to the millions is not the martial art as the Founder intended.

On the flip-side, those who are indeed heavily invested in the Olympic version do not even hear  or regard the arguments that resonate from the outside, as they strive to win Gold for their country.

So how can two groups of people have such polarized views on the Olympic version of Taekwondo, and one wonders whether other sports suffer the philosophical same divide.

When Taekwondo was first included in the Seoul Olympics back in 1988 as a demonstration sport, and then went on in 1996 to be a full medal sport, it was regarded as a major coup for the organizations who were involved, and the death knell for those who weren’t.

Just as we have been every four years before, the end of another Olympic campaign leaves us with more questions than answers.

The future of Taekwondo

But has it panned out that way all these years later,  what has become of the public perception of Taekwondo in 2016, as we get engulfed by the popularity of MMA and UFC ?

Concerns about the standard of competition, the range of techniques used, the attractiveness to a television and live audience and hence the appeal to potential lucrative sponsors leave Taekwondo delicately poised in terms of its future as an Olympic  sport.

Have Taekwondo organizations, and their member schools flourished since the inclusion of Taekwondo as an Olympic Sport ? What value was derived from the millions of dollars each nations government pumped int the sport version fo Taekwondo ?

With a large group on anti-Olympic practitioners defending their traditional, or original martial art, why do these same organizations still pin their hopes on one day being included in something they so vehemently oppose ?

Is our main concern about which organization is represented, and hence reaps the rewards of government and corporate backing, or is our primary concern what the sport/art actually looks like in the public domain ?

At this juncture nothing should be taken away from the countless hours of hard work done by the athletes and coaches themselves, as with any other Olympic Sport, they have given their all to represent their country with great pride and they only compete within the rules that govern the sport.

At the end of each games we reflect the positives and negatives of Taekwondo’s inclusion in the Olympic schedule.

2016 Rio Olympics Medal Board – Taekwondo

 

 

 

 

 

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by Michael Muleta, 8th Degree

 

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Article sponsored by – Global Fitness Institute

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

canberra seminars

Master Muleta Canberra Seminars

Canberra Seminars and Black Belt Grading

Over the weekend of August 13-14th, Master Michael Muleta conducted a series of seminars and degree gradings across Canberra.

The Canberra seminars included Sparring (x2) and Self Defense.

canberra seminars 2

On the Saturday, Master Muleta ventured out to the Heron Taekwon-Do club, hosted by Sabum Glenn McKinnon.

The day commenced with a sparring seminar which focused on footwork, attacking and counter attacking drills. Students worked hard and enjoyed the session.

After a short break for lunch, a grading was conducted by Master Muleta and Sabum McKinnon. Firstly, all the gup students, followed by 4 students attempting to obtain their 1st Degree Black Belt.

After an exhaustive and comprehensive physical and theory examination, congratulations to Caylin Thompson, Scott Bovey, Peter Lachlan and Jasper Lachlan for passing their black belt testing.canberra seminars

The following day Master Muleta headed across the other side of town to conduct 2 seminars at the Choong Moo Taekwon-Do school in Amaroo, hosted by Sabum Jordan Steele.

The first seminar again covered ITF Sparring, with a high percentage of red and black belts, the session focused again on footwork and drills, but with a greater emphasis on ring craft, strategies and simulated match play.

As there was no grading afterwards, students were pushed to the point of exhaustion and worked very hard in a grueling session.

After a short drink break, seminar 2 then focused on self defense, or more specifically unarmed combat.

Master Muleta covered areas such as awareness and decision making, vital spots and choosing appropriate attacking tools along with covering various self defense scenarios.

Students went through releases, joint locks, take downs and improvisation drills in a solid session.

Thank you to the hosts of both days.

 

ITF Global Champs

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boxing seminar

Master Muleta Boxing Seminar Tasmania

Tasmania Boxing Seminar

boxing seminar

Master Michael Muleta gave a kickboxing and boxing seminar in Launceston, Tasmania on Wednesday 10th August.

The group was made up of current Personal Trainers, graduates and students of Global Fitness Institute’s Fitness courses. It was conducted at the Global Fitness Institute Tasmania Campus at Health Revival, Longford.

Students went through a series of conditioning and skill drills, and combinations of kicks, punches and strikes. The emphasis of the sessions was placed on using the drills as part of fitness conditioning training for clients, sports and of course martial arts.

Master Muleta is the President of United ITF Taekwon-Do Australia, in addition to being the Director of the ITF Centre of Excellence and CEO of Global Fitness Institute.

 

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