From: the_dojang-owner@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com To: the_dojang-digest@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com Subject: The_Dojang-Digest V6 #20 Reply-To: the_dojang@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com Errors-To: the_dojang-owner@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com Precedence: The_Dojang-Digest Wed, 13 Jan 1999 Vol 06 : Num 020 In this issue: the_dojang: State-of-Our-Art ......................................................................... The_Dojang, serving the Internet since June 1994. ~800 members strong! Copyright 1994-99: Ray Terry, California Taekwondo, Martial Arts Resource To send e-mail to this list use the_dojang@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com To unsubscribe, send "unsubscribe the_dojang-digest" (no quotes) in the body of an e-mail (top line, left justified) addressed to majordomo@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com Replying to this message will NOT unsubscribe you. See the Korean Martial Arts (KMA) FAQ and online search the last two years worth of digest issues at http://www.MartialArtsResource.com Pil Seung! Ray Terry, PO Box 110841, Campbell, CA 95011 KMA@MartialArtsResource.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Mark Herrick Date: Wed, 13 Jan 1999 11:13:58 -0800 Subject: the_dojang: State-of-Our-Art All, I have not read any clear, definitive details on the cause of the tragic death at the US TKD Open in Anahiem last week. I have heard it was a spinning hook kick, or a spinning back kick to the chin, or he died as a result of a fall, etc. Does anyone know what really happened? I would also like to comment that amongst all the posts on this subject very little has been written about our own personal responsibility as Black Belts and Teachers. How we can teach our students to avoid "killing blows" in sparring by exercising control. How can we address the poor state of refereeing we see in competition Today; most refs do not exercise adequate control over their ring when it comes to safety nor enforce good conduct. Also little is written about the protagonist's Sabumnim. How must he/she feel? His/her student was unable to control their kick. I may be old fashioned, but I judge a Lineage or Style by results of the Master. I witnessed during a major Northern California tournament, a double front kick result in unconsciousness. The competitor kicked the opponent in the groin (no control) and then in the chin when the opponent bent forward clutching their groin (again no control), knocking him unconscious to the floor. The competitor's master did nothing! He didn't investigate the injured competitor, he didn't council the competitor, nothing. And, this master is one of the better known Korean masters in the USTU hierarchy. It is clear to me that this horrible tragedy is an indication that all is NOT WELL with "Modern" TKD. This tragedy is a symptom of a greater, underlying sickness in our Martial Art. I believe this sickness arises from the same existential crisis TKD is having about whether "Modern TKD" is an Art or a Sport. Well when TKD is taught only as a Sport, then the ethics of the Art are lost and TKD degenerates into a very dangerous sport, where death can, and now sadly has occurred. In Sport TKD there is no emphasis on teaching self discipline - Control; Self Improvement - Humility, and Self Confidence - Respect for yourself and others. In fact, these principles are scorned! The only important goal in Sport TKD is scoring a point no matter what. In general, we as BBs and specifically our Masters and Grand Masters are responsible for this tragedy. As leaders, by action or inaction, we are responsible for TKD. TKD will become what we alow it to become. Some may say this was a tragic, unavoidable and isolated "accident." I say no. It is an indication of the State-of-our-Art and the first of more to come unless we are careful and make corrections. Every tournament I have witnessed and participated in had examples of competitors who ruthlessly ply their strategy with little thought to control or consequence. Every tournament has seen a competitor injured with a strong blow to the head, broken noses, broken jaws, unconsciousness, etc. I also believe the governing bodies of TKD need to evaluate the state of the protective equipment, especially the head gear. If TKD plans to continue allowing full contact sparring to the head for elite, adult competitors then upgraded protective equipment should be mandated. A foam head gear is simply not sufficient to protect the head from full force spinning kicks. Face gages and multi layer head gear should be adopted. Certainly a hard shell with inner liner would help prevent future serious injuries. The Greater TKD community, us, should insist upon it for the protection of our students, and the continued success and good will of TKD. Mark Herrick 1st Dan, WTF whtlotus@nichiren.org ------------------------------ End of The_Dojang-Digest V6 #20 ******************************* Support the USTU by joining today! US Taekwondo Union, 1 Olympic Plaza, Ste 405, Colorado Spgs, CO 80909 719-578-4632 FAX 719-578-4642 ustutkd1@aol.com http://www.ustu.com --------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe from this digest, the_dojang-digest, send the command: unsubscribe the_dojang-digest -or- unsubscribe the_dojang-digest your.old@address in the BODY of email (top line, left justified) addressed to majordomo@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com. Old digest issues are available via ftp://ftp.martialartsresource.com, in pub/the_dojang/digests. All digest files have the suffix '.txt' Copyright 1994-99: Ray Terry, Martial Arts Resource, California Taekwondo Standard disclaimers apply.