Masterclass and International Instructor Course (IIC) in conjunction with ITF President Choi Jung Hwa 2018 Asia-Pacific Seminar Tour were hosted by the International Taekwon-Do Federation (ITF) from the 20th January 2018 to 21st January 2018 at Stadium Titiwangsa, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The said masterclass was a one-day seminar whilst the IIC ran for two days and both events were co-hosted by a newly established Independent National Organisation (INO) Group in Malaysia, Choi Jung Hwa ITF Malaysia. Choi Jung Hwa ITF Malaysia under the leadership of Dato’ Paduka Setia Azmir Majid was able to attract 11 countries around the world to support both the events through their participation. The 11 countries that participated were India, Hong Kong, Indonesia, the United Kingdom, Republic of Korea, Czech Republic, Ireland, Singapore, China, and of course the host country, Malaysia.

 

Both events saw a total of 301 participants with 70 and 231 participating in the masterclass and IIC respectively. This seminar tour is considered to be one of the best supported events in Malaysian Taekwon-Do’s history and it was a huge success as it also gained support from the member of Parliament of Setiawangsa, Malaysia. Both the events were conducted by President Choi Jung Hwa and assisted by the ITF Secretary General, Grandmaster Trevor Nicholls, and other Masters throughout the seminar and course.

 

A short and simple opening ceremony was held and the Guest-of-Honour was the Honourable Dato’ Ahmad Fauzi Zahari, the member of Parliament of Setiawangsa. The opening ceremony saw the President Choi Jung Hwa expressing his happiness for being back in Malaysia as our founder, the late General Choi Hong Hi was the first Republic of Korea ambassador to Malaysia. Also, during the opening ceremony, an honorary fourth degree black belt certificate was presented to his Honourable Dato’ Paduka Setia Azmir Majid, the President of Choi Jung Hwa ITF Malaysia. The opening ceremony was also graced by the ITF Vice Presidents; Grandmaster Trevor Nicholls, Grandmaster Volmir Ligay, Pioneer, Grandmaster J C Kim, Grandmaster Dato’ Dr Sabree Salleh, and Dato’ Amir Md Noor.

 

 

    

 

 

A photography session was held after the opening ceremony and the masterclass and IIC commenced after the photography session was over. The seminar started off with a warm-up session led by Master Dantes Poon. All the participants enjoyed the warm-up session and were ready for the training of the day. President Choi gathered all the participants in a circle from time to time throughout the session so that they could listen and understand clearly the techniques explained where all the participants were required to practise those techniques. Soon after the explanation, all participants practised those fundamental Taekwon-Do techniques. It must be noted that all participants were guided and supervised by President Choi and Grandmaster Trevor Nicholls throughout the training. One of the senior instructors, Mr Martin demonstrated some techniques under the guidance of President Choi. Foot and hand techniques were explained in a way that they should be practised part by part before practising them as a whole. This was to ensure that focus was given to the turning of the hip and other important parts of the body whilst executing each technique where the generation of force could be maximised. The session continued with guided and supervised static and dynamic movements with breaks in between throughout the session.  The first day ended with a reflection led by President Choi himself.

 

    

The second day of IIC started with a warm up session led by Master Poon and Mr Martin. President Choi assisted by Grandmaster Trevor Nicholls conducted the second day session with more technical points given to the participants. A number of participants was called to demonstrate Tuls and those demonstrations were explained in details by President Choi.

 

          

     

The second half of the day was filled with equally intense practices by President Choi assisted by Grandmaster Trevor Nicholls. The session ended with an affirmative proclamation of the Tenets of Taekwon-Do.

 

          

 

Autograph session was held after President Choi and Grandmaster Trevor Nicholls had a short break. All the participants took the opportunity to have photos and have their pictures signed by President Choi, Grandmaster Trevor Nicholls and other seniors.

 

    

    

 

Taekwon,

Choi Jung Hwa ITF Malaysia