Each year, thousands of bodybuilders, martial artists, and fitness enthusiasts from around the world converge upon Columbus, Ohio for a weekend exposition bearing the name of bodybuilding legend Arnold Schwarzenegger.
The Arnold Sports Festival began in Columbus as the Arnold Classic in 1989. Arnold Schwarzenegger was one of the most famous body builders in the world during the 1970s and 1980s.He created the Arnold Classic to showcase bodybuilding. The Arnold Classic has evolved into one of the premiere bodybuilding events in the world. This competition continues to take place at the Columbus Convention Center.
Over the years, Schwarzenegger has added other events. The Arnold Classic continues to crown a male bodybuilder as its winner, but now Ms. International, a woman’s bodybuilding event, also takes place, as well as the Arnold Fitness Training Seminar, the Fitness International Competition, the Arnold Cheerleading and Dance Team Championships, the Arnold Strongest Man Competition, the World Powerlifting Organization World Championship, the Arnold Fitness Fashion Show, the Arnold Classic Armwrestling Challenge, the World Record Bench Press Challenge, the Arnold World Gracie Submission Championships, and the Arnold Traditional Karate World Cup Championship, among other events.
With the addition of other competitions to the Arnold Classic, the combined event became known as the Arnold Fitness Expo in 1993. It is now named the USA Arnold Sports Festival.
In 2005, more than ten thousand athletes participated in the various competitions, competing for more than 400,000 dollars in prize money. Seventy-five thousand people attended the Arnold Fitness Expo. Six hundred vendors also sold their wares at the show.
Taekwon-Do ITF Nepal organized a 2-day sparring /self-defense seminar followed by the 1st color belt open Taekwon-Do Championship between 7-9th Feb 2020.
ITF under General Secretary, Master Michael Muleta, 8th Degree from Australia, led the seminar and was assisted by the organizer, Mr. Laxman Basnet, President of Taekwon-Do ITF Nepal.
Just on 160 people attended Day 1 of the seminar, being a working day in Nepal, which focused on sparring techniques and ITF patterns. The students worked hard for 6 hours, with only a 30-minute lunch break, benefiting from the close attention and detail covered by Master Muleta.
On Day 2 the seminar focused on self-defense for almost 200 people in attendance for the whole day. Students were put through many techniques to combat against an assailant, from various grabs, holds, strikes, throws and locks. The seminar was very good and Master Muleta displayed his teaching and class management skills, where he managed to work with every single attendee during the day.
All the students enjoyed the intensive training and learned some new skills and applications from the very popular Senior Master, who was returning to Nepal after coming in 2015 to conduct seminars as part of the Nepal earthquake relief.
We would highly recommend to any country to have Master Muleta come and conduct this seminar.
On Day 3 it was competition time, with around 200 students participating from 23 different districts in the 1st color belt open Taekwon-Do Championship.
The event was a huge success, where Master Muleta kicked off proceedings with the official opening ceremony and remained to observe the championships and engage with all the competitors, special guests, media and officials.
There were 35 different categories in the Individual Sparring and individual pattern events. The standard was very good for colour belts and Master Muleta noted a significant improvement since his 2015 visit, giving full credit to r Laxman’s hard work and drive in building ITF Nepal.
Many special guests were in attendance including the Chief guest, the Honorable Ganesh Prasad Timalsina, President of the National Assembly of Parliament, along with special guest Master Muleta and Arie Hoogandooran from Netherlands. Also in attendance was Guest Honorary Member and President of the Sports for All commission, Mr.Bishnu Gopal Shrestha, Adviser of Taekwon-Do ITF Nepal and Famous Nepal identity, Ang Temba Sherpa .
Turkish Airlines General Manager, and event sponsor, Mr.Abdullaha gave out three gift hampers to three gold medalists.
Taekwon-Do ITF Nepal were honoured to present Chief guest to Master Muleta and Mr. Arie with a framed letter of appreciation, for their contribution in promoting Taekwon-Do in Nepal.
President Laxman Basnet gave a Token of Love to our chief guest and other special guests and he informed the audience about what Taekwon-Do ITF Nepal did in the past and what doing in the near future.
Mr Basnet announced that ITF Nepal will be organizing a Technical and Umpire workshop conducted by ITF Vice president Grand Master Nicholls and Master Yogi Chand in conjunction with the 4th Everest Open Taekwon-Do Championship on September 18-20, 2020 in Nepal to promote Taekwon-Do and promote tourism to Nepal during 2020.
Our member of Parliament and other guests gave speeches to motivate and encourage organizers and participants to make an even more more successful event in September 2020.
Thank you to Mr. Laman Basnet and his working party on organizing and hosting such a great and memorable event.
Special thanks to Master Muleta in taking time from his hectic schedule in the lead up to the Arnold Classic Taekwon-Do World Championships, to selflessly share his expertise and genuine love for Taekwon-Do ITF to our leaders and members.
This event has been added after consultation with some instructors, who were reluctant to put their juniors and novices in an event billed as ‘World Championships’. It also requires families of those competing in the Arnold Kids Classic Taekwondo, to only attend the one day (Sunday).
The event is open to all Children under 14 yrs of age.
We particularly encourage all beginners, colour belts (black belts welcome also) to enter the Arnold Kids Classic Taekwondo.
As with most competitions, competitors will be matched according to a closest fit policy (age, rank, weight – if sparring)
Of course, any person wishing to enter both competitions, may do so – however both registration forms need to be submitted seperately.
Note: Coaches who have registered for the Arnold Classic Taekwondo World Championships are not required to register twice. However, any person not registered as a coach WILL NOT gain access to the competition area.
Spectator Passes include access to both events on the Sunday
The World’s cinemas once again play host to the much anticipated latest edition, and of Hollywood’s most successful movie franchises, the Terminator, featuring Arnold Schwarzenegger.
What better way to celebrate the occasion than by registering for the first Arnold Classic Taekwondo World Championships, being held in Melbourne, Australia from March 20th – 22nd, 2020.
Yes, Arnold will be attending and checking out the Taekwondo.
With participants from 11 countries already registered, and still almost 5 months to go, it promises to be a most memorable event.
But don’t put it off any longer as time will slip away……..and you’ll risk being Terminated !
Male Adult Colour Belts Divison 2
1st Cheveau Apanui Goulburn Martial Arts Academy
2nd Henry Dwyer Precision Taekwon-Do
3rd Sang Yeop Yim Precision Taekwon-Do
Female Junior Black Belts Division 1
1st Merrin Eagles Goulburn Martial Arts Academy
2nd Isabella Pighin Choong-Moo
Male Junior Black Belts Division 1
1st Jae Evans ATI Martial Arts Sunshine Coast
2nd Allen Kappen Hwarang Taekwondo Canberra
3rd Jordon Woods Goulburn Martial Arts Academy
Male Ages 6-10 Colour Belts Division 1
1st Caleb Tapper Goulburn Martial Arts Academy
2nd Tate Gardner Goulburn Martial Arts Academy
3rd Kharn Elward Goulburn Martial Arts Academy
Male Ages 6-10 Colour Belts Division 2
1st Corbin Copeman Ataru
2nd Hudson Wood Goulburn Martial Arts Academy
3rd Ashar Zeb Choong-Moo
Male Ages 11-17 Divison
1st Leland Cerda Sangrok World Taekwondo
2nd Archie Wood Goulburn Martial Arts Academy
3rd Isaac Edwards Goulburn Martial Arts Academy
Male Junior Colour Belts Division
1st Jack Seier Ataru
2nd Xanda Doughty Goulburn Martial Arts Academy
3rd Michael Cutrale Azure
2019 United ITF Nationals – Special Technique
Junior Female
1st Marion Halas Precision Taekwon-Do
2nd Gerrida Grossel Choong-Moo
3rd Lily McCormick Precision Taekwon-Do
Junior Male
1st Cooper Roberts Goulburn Martial Arts Academy
2nd Joshua Zdybel Geelong Taekwon-do
3rd Ben Steele Choong-Moo
Master Michael Muleta visited Rockhampton on the first weekend of August to conduct Black Belt Testings and seminars.
The event was hosted by Brown’s Dojang, and supported by McNae’s Martial Arts and students who travelled over 3 hours each way from Alligator Creek to Rockhampton.
On the Friday evening, students were put through a vigorous Degree testing , comprising of Patterns, various sparring types, self defense, breaking and theory.
Congratulations to new Sabum Wayne Brown, promoted to 4th Degree and Nikki Olzard promoted to 2nd Degree.
Saturday started with a Patterns seminar in the morning, where Master Muleta concentrated on Fundamentals, Power Generation, Training secrets of Taekwon-Do and various sequences derived from the ITF Tuls. He clarified some technique terminology and interpretation of General Choi’s documented patterns.
All students were given the opportunity to perform and receive some constructive feedback to help them improve.
After a break for lunch, Rockhampton students returned to be thrown, flipped, locked, blocked and struck, all in the name of Self Defense.
Master Muleta went through a range of Self Defense scenarios and applications of Taekwon-Do movements. Students enjoyed the session immensely and learnt a few new tricks along the way.
Thank you to Brown’s Taekwon-Do for hosting and arranging the seminars.
Master Muleta is an 8th Degree Under Secretary of the International Taekwon-Do Federation, President & Technical Director of United ITF Taekwon-Do Australia.
The United ITF Open Vic Champs, recently held in Caroline Springs, and hosted by Thoroughbred Taekwon-Do, was a huge success.
It featured participants of all ages and levels from across Victoria, South Australia, Canberra and Queensland.
Events included Sparring and Patterns, in both ITF and WT, as well as Team patterns, Self Defense and Creative Breaking.
The event was organized by United ITF President, Master Michael Muleta and overseen by National Tournament Director, Justin Chin.
To promote inclusiveness we also incorporated a junior development event with our friends from several WT schools, who were using it as preparation for the upcoming Arnold Classic Taekwondo World Championships.
Thank you to everyone who came along, particularly those who travelled far and wide, to make the event such a success. We appreciate the very positive feedback on our efforts to keep the tournament format fresh, engaging and innovative.
A big thank you to our referees and judges who worked with the utmost professionalism and efficiency. Last but not least, appreciation for our first aid providers and additional volunteers.
Lindy Joy Crouch is Australia’s new Golden Girl of ITF Taekwon-Do. She won 2 Gold medals at the International Taekwon-Do Federation’s Special Needs World Championships in Argentina.
Lindy was Australia’s first down syndrome athlete to compete at the ITF World Championships, in the first fully fledged ITF Special Needs international event.
She won Gold in the Adult individual yellow belt patterns, and also in the Mixed abilities event. Lindy teamed up with Joshua Zdybel to perform self defense against weapon attacks and an unarmed assailant.
It was an incredible performance in front of a massive, and parochial, Argentinian crowd in Buenos Aires’ huge Tecnopolis complex. The event included 5 days of competition, with typical running times from 10am – 6pm.
Lindy was part of a 15 strong Australian squad, which also included 2 Special Needs athletes. The other, Master Lee Hermansson, of Broken Hill, took out a Silver medal in the patterns.
Lindy’s training regime
She trains twice weekly at Geelong Taekwon-Do, under the guidance of 5th Degree instructor Phillip Zdybel. Mr Zdybel also acted as Head Coach of the National team, as well as competing himself.
He describes Lindy as a ‘very spirited young lady who show a lot of determination along the way and put in the extra work attending regular pool sessions’ in addition to regular training.
Despite her special needs, Lindy trains in the regular class and does all the same drills and conditioning as the black belts. This was evident in her performance in Argentina.
President, Master Michael Muleta, said it was a fantastic result for Lindy and the Australian Team. He also noted how the Taekwon-Do special needs section had grown since it’s inception in 2016.
So much so, that the National Organization now has a Special Needs Committee to further develop the program domestically.
We would like to thank the State Government of Victoria and Barwon Sport Academy.
Lindy now has her eyes firmly set on the 2020 ITF World Championships in Russia, where she hopes to return as a high colour belt.
The 2016 ITF National Championships was held in Caroline Springs, Victoria on Saturday 19th March.
An historic event, it celebrated the 50th Anniversary of the formation of the International Taekwon-Do Federation.
The 2016 ITF National Championships featured competitors from all Australian states as well as New Zealand, participating in events such as Sparring (combat), Patterns (Pre-choreographed routines), Special Techniques (Spectacular aerobatic board breaking) and Power Breaking (measuring the strongest breaks)
In addition to many juniors and beginners, the event included a high percentage of entrants who are current and recent World Champions and as expected, the matches were of a very high standard, conducted in a great spirit.
Thank you to all who came along and supported the event, particularly those who helped out as volunteers and officials on the day.
Taekwondo ITF Nepal successfully organized the 2nd Everest Open International Goodwill Taekwondo Championship on Saturday on 19th September held at the Mirabal resort in Dhulikhel, Kavre – Nepal.
On Sunday 20th a special 4 hour Masterclass was conducted by Master Michael Muleta, 8th Degree, President and Technical Director of United ITF Australia (INO#23).
President of Taekwondo ITF Nepal Mr. Laxman Basnet and Adviser Mr. Ang Temba Sherpa (Model Of Rolex watch) formed a welcome party at Nepal airport to greet Master Muleta on arrival
On the first day Mr Basnet treated Master Muleta to a tour of Kathmandu city, including sites such as Bauddha Stupa (Buddist Stupa) which suffered severe damage by April’s earthquakes, and now undergoing a rebuilding program. They also went to Pasupatinath, One of biggest and most important Temples for all Hindus. Master Muleta received special blessings from monks at the Temple and witness outdoor cremation ceremonies. Dinner on the first night was a sample of Nepalese Local Food, which Master Muleta enjoyed a lot.
The following day, Master Muleta visited the Monkey Temple (soyembhunath), Basantapur Durbar Square, Patan Durbar Square and Bhaktapur Durbar square , in Bhaktapur.
After sightseeing, Master Muleta and Mr Basnet travelled an hour onto the seminar and championships venue in Dhulikel. On the way, Master Muleta and ITF Nepal adviser, Ang Temba, were invited to Mr Basnet’s house in a typical country village and had enjoyed some typical Nepalese local food again.
Later on the Friday 4 more attendees from Australia and New Zealand arrived – Phill Zdybel, Joshua Zdybel, Blair Martin and Mark Elliot.
All total 150 participants and officials took part from Australia, New Zealand, Bangladesh, Nepal and India.
Most of the Nepalese participants came from Kathmandu and arrived on Friday evening at the venue.
The 2nd Everest International Championships commenced at 9am on the Saturday, with Guest of Honour, Master Muleta lighting the Traditional candle at the opening ceremony to declare the event officially open.
The championship included Individual patterns and individual sparring with a demonstration in team patterns. Uniquely this championship was held under the open sky, with breathtaking views of the Himalayas for all participants. Logistics were in place in the event of inclement weather, however we were blessed with a glorious day.
All officals, umpires and judges work very hard all day and Master Muleta did us the honour of acting as Centre Referee for all the Black Belt finals. We were impressed and thankful for his kindness and assistance in conducting this event.
At the end of the Championships, there was a medals and certification ceremony with special guest Lion’s Club President, Rudhra Hari Geawali. Medals and certificates were presented, and as a special bonus, 1000 nepali rupees were given to every gold medallist distributed by the Chief Guest, Master Muleta, M. Blair Martin and other guest presenters.
During the closing ceremony, Master Muleta donated Australian raised funds to Taekwondo ITF Nepal. Including donating all his teaching fees back to ITF Nepal, and covering all his own travel costs, in all the Australian effort raised over $2000 worth of support. (over 150,000 rupees)
Phillip Zdybel also from Australia was very active in raising funds through his local community, donating over $500.
ITF Nepal President Laxman Basnet presented 341,000 Nepali Rupee to Mr. Gayaji Khadka, assistant Instructor and Treasurer of ITF Nepal.
10,000 Rupees was presented to Nepal Journalist Federation, Kavre to support the family of Suman Bomjan who was member of Nepal sports Journalist Forum, who died during the Earthquake.
ITF Nepal also wishes to acknowledge the donation of $5,500 Hongkong dollars by Hong Kong original Taekwondo Council, 1,52,947 NPR ($2300NZD around by Morgan Stacey, Project Manager of Naylor Love Construction of New Zealand.
The remainder was collected by Mr Basnet from friends and Club members from New Zealand.
Mr. Basnet honoured Master Michael Muleta (United ITF Australia) and Mr Blair Martin (United ITF New Zealand) with a Certificate and plaque of Appreciation.
It was fantastic event and all participants and officials were so excited and happy. In the ceremony Master Muleta and Mr. Blair said in their speech they were very happy to be in Nepal and they will support in future events too.
Also they said they are very surprised with Nepali participants sparring and the spirit shown, as participants with minimal protective equipment, much vigour yet no injuries.
More photos can be found at : https://www.itftaekwondo.com/?p=976