South Dublin Taekwondo


SDTKD / Kukkiwon Demo Team Training Session

Kukkiwon Training 09.09.13 376

SDTKD Club with Kukkiwon team

Monday 9th September 2013 will remain a landmark milestone in our Club history as we were proud hosts to arguably the best Taekwondo Demonstration Team in the World, the Kukkiwon Demonstration Team, who wowed our audience with 2 hours of fantastic taekwondo in Tallaght Leisure Centre.

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Jed gets some 1 on 1 assistance.

The Team were in town for the Irish Open Korean Ambassadors Cup the day previous, which was a massive coup for Irish Taekwondo after successful discussions between the ITU President Master Fleming & the Korean Embassy. The full visiting team & backroom staff came along and excited a 60 strong student audience from SDTKD that ranged from 5 year olds to 50. Master Niamh Buffini met the team at their lodgings at Bewley’s Hotel and escorted them to our club. It was refreshing to hear the approval of the team as they entered the well-presented room, with large matted training area and an audience filled with anticipation.

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Leon was a little favorite!

The 2 hour session comprised a 15 minute demonstration practice where the group swapped their usual  timber for training boards, and apples for tennis balls as they gave the gob-smacked audience a further taste of the massive demonstration many had seen the day previous in the National Basketball Arena.  There then proceeded a 1 hour 45 minute mixed training session including warm up, punching practice, kicking, demonstration kicking & poomsae. Each of the Kukkiwon Team got fully involved & loosened up with smiling faces throughout the duration of the evening. The night climaxed in an opportunity for all students to break a board with a demonstration style staggered jump front kick, and club co-founder Master Taaffe being put on the spot to complete a 6 board power break. Young students clung onto the remains of their boards to have the world famous team sign autographs at the end of the session. The night concluded with an exchange of gifts. 4 of out Taekwondo Tots were on hand to present Irish Souvenir gift bags to the team including chocolates, wristbands, travel tags, Irish pins, Irish Sheep teddy bears & some Irish Dance Music. A beautiful silver & leather Kukkiwon watch was presented to SDTKD Club.

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Our little TKD tots stole the show & Korea’s affection!

SDTKD club coaches would like to note a sincere word of thanks to both the Korean Embassy & ITU for their coordination of recent events, which allowed SDTKD to host such a wonderful team. Ms. Juyearn Sun from the Korean Embassy & Ms. Buffini had much dialogue to coordinate event where we were proud hosts to such a team guided by well known & respected Kukkiwon Master Hyun Sung Kim & Master Jae Hoon Joung.

Ms Sun noted a message to SDTKD members, ‘It was great to see such energy filling up a big hall like yesterday’s. I’m sure we will have more chances to work together! Thank you again for everyone for the hospitality.’

A selection of videos & pictures are available below. If videos are not there at time of reading this article, check back soon f  or some update uploads!

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