Cultural experiences in Baku, Azerbaijan during the European Olympics qualification tournament – Feb 2004

Kim Seng had some wonderful learnings and cultural experiences in this country which gained independence after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Azerbaijan is predominantly a Muslim country nested in the European continent and is situated on the Caspian sea. Kim is seen here practicing his hand at carpet weaving by hand with an Azeri expert; smoking a peace pipe Azerbaijan style with other referees from Jordan, Iran and Mexico; and performing belly dancing with a belly dancer and being watched by a referee from Mexico. .

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2004 European Olympic Qualification tournament – Baku, Azerbaijan – Feb 2004

Kim Seng officiated as International Referee at the 2004 European Olympics qualification tournament which was held in Baku, Azerbaijan (part of the old USSR). The event was held in February and it was very cold at the time. It was the most enjoyable time for the International Referees with superb hospitality from the Azeri people. The culture was predominantly Muslim in a European continent. Baku, situated on the Caspian sea, is most famous for its vodka and caviars.

Kim Seng officiating as centre referee in this match between United Kingdom and another European player. This tournament qualified the top 3 players from each division for the 2004 Athens Olympics.

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Forbidden City, Beijiing, China – Nov 2003

The Forbidden City is a awesome sight to behold. This was where the Emperors of China lived during their rule of China before being over run by the Chinese Communist Party during the Cultural revolution march led by Mao Ze Dong in the 1930′s to 1940′s. The last Chinese Emperor Pu Yi lived there. The International Referees made a quick visit before the start of the Referee refresher course in November 2003.  Kim Seng is pictured with his fellow referees from the Philippines, Malaysia and India.

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The Kukkiwon

The Kukkiwon. Raffaele DiRenzo visited the Kukkiwon, World Taekwondo Headquarters for the first time in January 1998 on the occasion of the international referee refresher course. The kukkiwon was built in 1971. Kim Seng also visited Kukkiwon for the same International Referee Refresher course and takes a picture with fellow International Referee, Darius Nowicki from Poland inside the Kukkiwon training hall, which is large enough to lay out 2 full sized sparring competition courts, with room to spare.

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ATA-WA taekwondo founder and pioneer – Mr Sok Pong Kim (1944-1999)

The Australian Taekwondo Academy in WA was founded by Mr Sok Pong Kim in 1975. Sadly he passed away in April 1999, but not without leaving a legacy for his students to continue after him. This article, reproduced from an article written by Kim Seng in 1992 and titled "The West's Taekwondo Pioneer" as a tribute to him.

Mr Sok Pong Kim, 7_^th dan Chief Instructor, is the first Korean to start Taekwondo in Perth Western Australia. He opened the Kim Australian Taekwondo Academy in 1975 with the one single gym and the Academy has now grown to more than 50 branch clubs in most parts of the Perth Metropolitan and country areas of Western Australia.

The Academy teaches the basic elements of Taekwondo as being martial art first and foremost, then, self defence, Olympic sport, fitness (physical as well as mental) and the cultivation of discipline. Mr Kim believes in imparting his learnings and experiences in his 40 years in the art and sport of Taekwondo to all Academy members. There have been well over 10,000 members in WA who have learned Taekwondo through Mr Kim and the network of the Academy Instructors. Mr Kim has graded more than 600 black belts in WA since 1975. Seven of Mr Sok Pong Kim's students, six to 4^_th dan and one to 5_^th dan in the last 5 years. Mr Kim was promoted to 7_^th dan in 1981. (footnote: Mr Kim was 8_^th Dan kukkiwon at the time of his death).

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