Category: Blogs

Aussie team 2018

Aussie Pride on show in Argentina

Aussie Pride on show in Argentina

Aussie team 2018

Well done to all who represented Australia at the recent ITF World Championships in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

It is one of the toughest cauldrons of ITF competition with a packed stadium full of latino pride and agression. On the mats, we were super proud of the way the Aussie team showed their true spirit and had a red hot crack.

Fair to say all competitors performed very well, and most at or close to their best performance at this level of competition.

Five long days of competition tested the concentration and endurance of our athletes, but they all gave a good account of themselves.

The nature of sports is that it’s not always enough to get a medal, but we are proud to say we did come home with some.

Special Congratulations, of course, goes to our medal winners

  • Lindy Crouch (2 x Gold Medals)
  • Jodi Stanton (2 x Silver Medals)
  • Lee Hermansson (1 x Silver Medal)
  • Sasha Robertson (1 x Bronze Medal)
  • Jackson Riordan (1 x Bronze Medal)

Well done to the coaches Phill Zdybel, Bronnie Keating and Rob Riordan. Your hard work and encouragement in preparing the athletes for their bouts was fantastic.

Thank you to all supporters and parents who came along to cheer on our team.

Check out the Photo Gallery

Well done to Master Neil Cliff and Master Noel Keating, on representing Australia as Umpires.

To round out a very succesful campaign, Master Keating was awarded a Medal of Merit from the ITF for service.

In other big news, Master Michael Muleta was appointed under Secretary General of the International Taekwon-Do Federation at the ITF Congress. (see article)

For all those who did not attend on this occasion, there is always next time.

The next ITF World Championships will be held in Moscow, Russia in 2020.

As per ITF Rules, the INO is charged with co-ordination and management of the national team, from selection trials to team registration, including apparel. From a coaching point of view, we naturally invite coaches from all representative parties.

We will make further announcements regarding squad formation, development camps, coaching and selection trials at the appropriate time.

Affiliations to the INO for 2018 are now open for new and renewing schools.

Affiliate to the ITF National Body

 

itf congress 2018

Master Muleta new under Secretary General of ITF

Master Muleta appointed new under Secretary General of ITF

Master Muleta under secretary general

Master Michael Muleta was recently appointed the new under Secretary General of the International Taekwon-Do Federation at 2018 ITF Congress in Argentina.

Master Muleta, a foundation member of the President Choi Jung Hwa led organization, has filled several executive roles over the past 16 years including:

  • Co-Ordinator of ITF Administration
  • Director of Scientific Research
  • Tournament Committee Member
  • Director of Expansion (Oceana)
  • Director of Umpiring (Oceana)

Additionally, Master Muleta has held the post as President of United ITF Taekwon-Do Australia Inc, the National Body for ITF in Australia since 2002, having founded the organization in 1999.

At various times he has been Technical Director / Adviser for Australia, Sri Lanka, New Zealand and Nepal.

Master Muleta has been involved extensively internationally, having taught seminars in South Africa, Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, USA, Sri Lanka, New Zealand, and across Australia.

He has participated at 13 ITF World Championships since 1994 as a competitor, coach, umpire and official.

He was inducted in the Australasian ITF Hall Of Fame in 2018 by Grandmaster Choi Jung Hwa.

Read his full profile here

defending yourself

7 Simple Reasons for Women’s Self-Defense

7 Simple Reasons for Women’s Self-Defense

womens self defense

Violence against women is a serious and widespread issue in Australia, as well as throughout the world. And while the long term goal is education to stop violence against women, there are actionable strategies women can employ, right now. Here are 7 very simple reasons you should consider taking a women’s self defense class.

1 – Don’t Become a Statistic

Frankly, the statistics in Australia alone are frightening. At least one woman a week is killed by a partner or former partner. One in three women have experienced physical violence. 300,000 women a year experience physical or sexual violence from a stranger. Violence against women contributes to more death, disability and illness to women between 15 and 44 than any other preventable risk factor. Learning self-defense gives you the power to avoid becoming one of these statistics, now.

2 – Prevention and Awareness

As teens and adults we become increasingly fixated on the front and our devices, often being unaware of what’s around us. You work with an experienced instructor to develop strategies that work best for you against a variety of opponents, attacks and situations. Above all, women’s self defense teaches us awareness and prevention.

3 – Take Control for Yourself and Other Women

Women’s self defense is about taking safety into our own hands. Taking a Self defense class is our chance to take action in our own lives, to take control of our own present and future. The fact is, crimes against women happen and will continue to happen. Women’s self defense classes can help prevent us becoming  victims. Knowing how to defend ourselves gives us a better chance of stopping attacks and even lessening attacks against women in the future.

4 – Great Exercise!

Self defense classes, at the end of the day, can also be a great source of exercise, working a range of vital parts of your body. It not only exercises your body physically, it also exercises your mind, reactions and reflexes. It is also an incredible way of exercising your own power and confidence. You do not have to be physically strong to be successful at self-defense. If you can learn to successfully escape or prevent a dangerous situation, then you are exercising good self-defense.

5 – Be Accountable

As women, we are constantly encouraged to be accountable for ourselves. We are told to be accountable for our finances. We are told to account for our stress and encouraged to be accountable for our health, weight and diet, along with our workouts and fitness. It stands to reason that we should be accountable for our self defense. Is it really so hard to add a self defense class to our routine as we would add the latest yoga, pilates or work out fad? However, unlike a fad, this is something that will actually make a monumental, positive change to our lives.

6 – Be Feminine

There is a terrible misconception – unfortunately perpetuated by mass media – that self defense is unfeminine and unattractive. These dangerous articles claim that women who pursue self defense are masculine, “jacked up” and have a distasteful love for violence. However, nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, many models, actresses and even pageant winners are devotees of women’s self defense. Women’s self defense is incredibly feminine because it is empowering. Encouraging women to take self defense is a beautiful, inspiring thing. So, ignore the dangerous misconceptions of mainstream media and enjoy learning self defense.

7 – Do Something Now

Of course we need better education to end violence against women and men. Violence of all kinds is unacceptable. Unfortunately, though, education is long term and may not be able to help you today, tomorrow or even next year. That is why women’s self defense education is important. This is something that can happen now. Women’s self defense provides functional strategies, techniques and training methods to stop an attacker intent on hurting you. It gives you the security and confidence, right now, that you can protect yourself should the need arise. Unfortunately, no matter how well intended, ideologies can’t do that. So until education catches up with reality, keep yourselves safe. Invest in women’s self defense today.

Contact GFI to find out more about our women’s self defense classes and courses. You may consider taking up a structured martial arts class such as Taekwondo, Jiujitsu, Karate or combat sports such as kickboxing, boxing or MMA. Likewise, many providers offer personal training or group sessions / courses for you and and friends or work colleagues.

Muleta Tasmanian Seminar 2

Master Muleta – Tasmanian MMA seminar

Master Muleta – Tasmanian MMA seminar

Muleta Tasmanian Seminar 2

Master Michael Muleta VIIIth degree black belt, provided an insightful and educative workshop for the Tasmanian Martial Arts Council today at the dojang of Southern ITF Taekwon-Do in Hobart, Tasmania. Master Muleta is the owner of Global Fitness Institute and the President of United ITF Taekwon-Do and with over 35 years of experience in Martial Arts, Fitness and Education he brings a depth of knowledge second to none. Today’s seminar was attended by over 30 of Tasmania’s most enthusiastic practitioners from Karate, Ju-Jitsu and Taekwon-Do including many senior ranked Instructors.

Muleta Tasmanian Seminar 3

Master Muleta began his workshop by outlining why it is necessary to learn self-defence techniques and when it is appropriate to use them. Unlike many other self-defence instruction courses he didn’t just focus on a sequence of routines or techniques but looked at when and what techniques are necessary for situations and he then proceeded to, not only show how to perform them, but also how to teach them.
His education background really showed in his presentation methods as well as his knowledge of anatomy and how to apply appropriate tools to vital spots. He draws from his knowledge of several martial arts to bring an interesting perspective to his technique. One of the points he makes is that the knowledge gained through training in different arts should be seen as growing student’s skills rather than replacing one set of skills with another.

Muleta Tasmanian Seminar 5

Although very professional in his presentation, his manner encourages interaction and questions from students of all skill and age levels. He quickly endeared himself to all of the senior instructors and had them helping out throughout the workshop. All in all, this, the first TMAC workshop conducted by a non-Tasmanian Instructor, was a very successful event that was enjoyed by everyone who participated.

Muleta Tasmanian Seminar 1

A long-time friend of Master Steve Weston, there is no question Master Muleta made a large group of new friends this weekend and it is anticipated he will have many more trips to Tasmania both as a martial arts instructor and as trainer of some of the country’s leading fitness coaches.

Muleta Tasmanian Seminar 4

 

Written by Master Steve Weston, for the Tasmanian Martial Arts Council

 

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