Conducted by the ITF TECHNICAL Committee

Masters’ Hector Marano, Pablo Trajtenberg, Paul McPhail and Michael Daher

Report by Sally Clark – Newcastle, NSW 

and Steve Weston-Hobart, Tasmania

Participants of the Seminar in action

Photos by Adam Newport

Over 60 of ITF Taekwon-do’s most enthusiastic exponents from Australia and New Zealand came together on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland to meet and learn from the highest authority on the ITF Taekwon-do technique world-wide, the two members of the technical committee Master Hector Marano (Argentina), Master PabloTrajtenberg (Argentina) who were assisted by Master Paul McPhail (New Zealand) and Master Michael Daher (Australia).

After the official opening by Master Trajtenberg (Senior Vice President of the ITF), and for the first time at an international instructing course, our masters and practitioners were treated to a spectacular display of Aboriginal music & dance.

Following the ceremony the work began in earnest with philosophical aspects such as our attitudes and our actions towards others and practical application of the theory of power being covered. But the focus for the day was on the technical aspects and refinement of colour belt patterns and the application of Step sparring with the day concluding at the 2^nd Gup pattern Hwa-rang.

The enthusiasm for the course was summed up by this quote from one of the participants.

Master Trajtenberg teaching Paul Raymond from Perth

Day 2 was a beautiful Queensland morning and we started running through all the patterns to the end of the first degree with Master Marano while the few coloured belts were given special attention from Master McPhail. It is clear that the Masters have worked hard to improve the content and delivery of these seminars over the last few years whilst retaining their enthusiasm and excitement for teaching. Indeed for the participants it seems that the Masters almost battle each other to present the information but have such wonderful rapport and friendship it is inspiring for the students.

In the afternoon, with passion, Master Trajtenberg delivered the meaning of the ‘Do’ and the spirit of our traditions, reflecting positive energy to and from all, in our movements, our attitude and our lives! He then covered the second degree patterns with the able assistance of Master Marano before passing the baton to Master McPhail who taught the third degrees and above with his absolute attention to detail whilst the "Juniors" had the privilege of being instructed by Master Daher on slow motion and jumping kicks. One junior commenting after the training they realised how much better their kicking skills were after a single session with Master Daher.

That evening saw a night of camaraderie at a dinner with the Masters including a lot of friendly rivalry with our New Zealand participants regarding the outcome of the Bledisloe cup that was being played during the evening (luckily for us, Australia won). But without question the joy of these dinners is the opportunity it gives for the students to mix with the Masters in a less formal setting and get to know them better.

Master Marano helps with technique in words and actions

On the final day the senior black belts, 4^th Dan and above began an hour earlier covering the fourth dan patterns with Master Marano. Then whilst Master Marano took the fifth degrees and above for a session on their patterns everyone else spent time with Master Trajtenberg focussing on self defence with special attention to releases from grabs to the wrist. It is clear that Master Trajtenbergs emphasis on effective technique in self defence comes from hard lessons learnt whilst growing up in a country that has endured significant political and economic turmoil over the last 40 years. His capacity to retaliate and respond to aggressive attacks was impressive to say the least and one can imagine how capable his students are in this, the ultimate use of Taekwon-Do skills.

Our final lesson for the course was presented by Master McPhail and focussed on the do’s and don’t’s of sparring combinations, Given the success of the New Zealand Team at the World Champs in Quebec last year it is clear that these skills are part of the reason they are doing so well. The day concluded with a lot of laughs and a competitive edge, to be the last one standing from an all-in bout with participants being excluded when scored against by any other person on the floor.

Master McPhail shows Mr Sawdon (NZ) and others how to jump

Following the Seminar the Technical committee examined three candidates for their next Dan rank with Mr Michael Nguyen and Michael McPherson (subject to completion of theory) being promoted to fourth degree and Mr Steven Weston being promoted to Sixth degree.

Mr Gerard Kelly practices his jumping vertical kicks

Master Daher shows close ready stance type A

Carly Dan Shows her world championship form

There is no question these courses improve the standard and quality of ITF Taekwon-Do in Australia since they are presented by the people who set the standard for the World. But more than that they are the opportunity for practitioners to participate and learn about the discipline they love with a great bunch of people in an incredible atmosphere. For those of us with high rank it is often the only opportunity we get to have input to our training so we can continue to learn and improve. We can’t wait until the next one!

Special thanks to Mr Gerard Kelly, Mr Ron Coyle, and the Murray family (Michael, Majella and Jennifer) for putting such a great event together.

And to our Masters, Master Marano, Master Trajtenberg, Master McPhail and Master Daher, thank you for the valuable time you have given us away from your families, to continue on the legacy of our founding father ‘General Choi Hong Hi’ in Australia. It was a most memorable and invaluable experience….