A successful weekend of New Zealand ITF Black Belt gradings and training was conducted by Master Michael Muleta, 8th Degree Under Secretary of the International Taekwon-Do Federation and President/Technical Director of United ITF Taekwon-Do.
The training and testing events were held in Queenstown, New Zealand and hosted by Kman’s Martial Arts, which is operated by multiple ITF World Champion, Kerry (K’man) McEvoy.
Students were put through a vigorous series of exercises and drills, over the course of 2 days, leading up to the final showcase on Saturday 4th March, at Kman’s Martial Arts centre.
The day consisted of lots of sparring, breaking, patterns, step sparring and demonstrations of skill sets. All performed with much spirit and skill to successful complete the testing process.
The testing panel consisted of Master Michael Muleta, Sabum Kerry McEvoy and special guest Sensei Barry Potter.
Congratulations to our newest New Zealand ITF Black Belts :
Congratulations to all the new black belts who were tested and successfully promoted over the past 2 weeks in both Newcastle and Rockhampton.
Master Michael Muleta, 8th Degree, travelled to Newcastle, NSW early June to conduct some Black Belt Examinations and an ITF Masterclass at the Titan Martial Arts school. Some black belts had also been promoted the week before, by Sabum Michael Omay.
Those promoted included:
Michael Omay 6th Degree
Scott Gannon, 5th Degree
Sam Wilson, 5th Degree
Alex Sorensen, 4th Degree
Simon Aliendi, 3rd Degree
James Magill, 3rd Degree
Chris Streets, 3rd Degree
Archer Woller, 2nd degree
Tim Kerkhoff, 2nd Degree
Maclean Davis, 1st Degree
Travis Charlton, 1st Degree
Sapphire Tabas, 1st Degree
Tiarne Sattler, 1st Degree
Kalleah Sattler, 1st Degree
Amy Burke, 1st Degree
Jerrome Teasdale, 1st Degree
The following week, Master Muleta travelled to Rockhampton for more Masterclasses and a Black Belt grading. The successful new Black belt promotion was:
Nikki Olzard, 3rd Degree
The next round of Black Belt exams and Masterclasses with Master Muleta will be held in Canberra, ACT over the weekend on 8-10th, July 2022.
The updated version includes video links to all Patterns, Step Sparring, Model Sparring, Foot Sparring and Self Defense routines to assist students preparing for testings up to 1st Degree Black Belt.
The 1st – 3rd Degree Black Belt Grading Manual ebook is available in our Online Store
Patterns
The 1st – 3rd Degree Black Belt Grading Manual ebook sets out suggested testing requirements to achieve rank advancement in ITF Taekwon-Do. You are free to adopt fully, or modify where you feel necessary.
Gradings are an important aspect of any martial arts training as they should indicate and measure the student’s proficiency in that art, and allow further learning to take place. Gradings should be a test of technical ability, knowledge, indomitable spirit, courage, and attitude.
The Grading syllabus outlines all areas that need to be fulfilled in order to test for rank promotion: these requirements include Patterns, Fundamental movements (Blocking, Kicking, Striking, Stances), Sparring, Breaking Techniques, Terminology and Theory, Self Defense and any additional requirements.
Also note that active training time and attendance requirements are also set out and should be adhered to.
The grading syllabus is designed specifically for all ITF schools to be able to incorporate, encompassing a wide range of self-defense oriented movements and theories, whilst also being consistent with the International Taekwon-Do Federation’s requirements.
We are pleased to announce that we have made updates to our Step Sparring Manual Ebook, which is a useful resource for all club instructors and students alike.
The updated version includes video links to all 1 Step Sparring, 2 Step Sparring and 3 Step Sparring routines to assist students preparing for testings up to 1st Degree Black Belt.
Additonally, we have a step-by-step description of each sequence to help instructors teach, and students self learn.
We have also update some of the sequences themselves.
The Gup Grading Manual ebook is available in our Online Store
What is Step Sparring ?
There are several types of sparring in Taekwondo, from free sparring (not choreographed) to pre-arranged sparring. 1, 2 and 3 Step Sparring are all forms of pre-arranged sparring.
Prearranged Sparring (Yaksok Matsogi)
It is practiced as the name denotes, under prearranged modes with various assumptions, for example:
the number of steps to be taken
the target to be attacked
the attacking tool to be used
are agreed upon beforehand between the players
Step Sparring teaches the student to apply their fundamental movements in both attacking and defensive mode, from a variety of angles and stances, whilst moving forwards and backwards.
Students should commence with 3 step sparring (alone) first, to develop both left and right sides of the body. The student would then progress to 3 step sparring with a partner/opponent to apply these movements against another person.
3 step sparring was regarded as the most important form of sparring by the Founder, as it helped the student developed their techniques at the correct angle and distance in relation to the attacker/target.
The complexity of the sequences, and the techniques used in step sparring, generally increases as the student progresses in rank and ability.
Two step sparring enables the student to incorporate both hand and foot techniques into their pre-arranged sparring sequences, both in attacking and defensive modes.
The most difficult and spontaneous form of Step Sparring is One step Sparring, where the student must react immediately.
Whilst many schools don’t have a set choreography or sequence to follow, I always felt from a teaching and examining quality consistency point of view, it was better to have all students follow a pre-designed format, just as they do in patterns, to allow comparison and correction.
Here are some sequences I have used in my own schools. I hope you find some of them useful.
We are pleased to announce that we have made updates to our Gup Grading Manual ebook, which is a useful resource for all club instructors and students alike.
The updated version includes video links to all Patterns, Step Sparring and Self Defense routines to assist students preparing for testings up to 1st Degree Black Belt.
The Gup Grading Manual ebook is available in our Online Store
Patterns
The Gup Grading Manual ebook sets out suggested testing requirements to achieve rank advancement in ITF Taekwon-Do. You are free to adopt fully, or modify where you feel necessary.
Gradings are an important aspect of any martial arts training as they should indicate and measure the student’s proficiency in that art, and allow further learning to take place. Gradings should be a test of technical ability, knowledge, indomitable spirit, courage, and attitude.
The Grading syllabus outlines all areas that need to be fulfilled in order to test for rank promotion: these requirements include Patterns, Fundamental movements (Blocking, Kicking, Striking, Stances), Sparring, Breaking Techniques, Terminology and Theory, Self Defence and any additional requirements.
Also note that active training time and attendance requirements are also set out and should be adhered to.
The grading syllabus is designed specifically for all ITF schools to be able to incorporate, encompassing a wide range of self-defense oriented movements and theories, whilst also being consistent with the International Taekwon-Do Federation’s requirements.
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.
We welcome a new thoroughbred Black Belt and some advanced degrees. Thoroughbred Taekwon-do conducted it’s annual Black Belt examinations yesterday in Melton, Victoria.
It was a very historic day for the club with it most senior internal Black Belt promotion since its formation in 1994.
Thoroughbred Taekwon-Do Balwyn instructor Justin Chin was promoted to 6th Degree Black Belt after a vigorous testing regime. The test included all black belt patterns, various types of sparring, self defense, breaking and theory.
The promotion makes Justin the most senior Thoroughbred Taekwon-Do Black Belt outright, under the school’s founder and director, Master Michael Muleta.
Justin has be a wonderful leader of the school, setting a great example of loyalty and selfless contribution for close to 20 years.
Also promoted was his younger brother, and branch assistant, Corey Chin. Corey was promoted to 5th Degree Black Belt.
It sets up a very unique family combination of 3 Thoroughbred Taekwon-Do Black belts, Justin 6th Degree, Jeremy 5th Degree and now Corey 5th Degree. Master Muleta fondly refers to them as the Chin Dynasty.
Just as significant is that the brothers have spent close to 20 years in the same school. This is certainly a rare quality in today’s organization hopping culture.
Anna Blake was promoted to 2nd Degree Black Belt along with John Vos promoted to 1st Degree.
We welcome John to the Thoroughbred Taekwon-Do Black Belt club.
Congratulations to Choong Moo instructor Jordan Steele, who was promoted to 5th Degree Black Belt.
A grading was conducted in Amaroo, Canberra on Sunday 9th December, by Master Michael Muleta 8th Degree.
Well done also to Hasnain Zeb, Ibrahim Amjad, Wil Paterson and Ben Steele, who were all promoted to Ist Degree. Additionally, well done to Uqasha Imran, who was promoted to II Degree.
Congratulations to all the gup students who tested on the day also.
Each performed admirably across Patterns, Self Defense, Breaking, various forms of Sparring and Theory, earning well deserved promotion.
Gradings do form an important part of Taekwon-Do training, and play a role in maintaining and elevating standards as well as keeping students motivated to maintain focus, consistency in training and to strive for improvement.
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.
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.
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.