An Official’s Journey through the 2009 Nationals

The Journey there

Arriving at Brisbane Airport on Wednesday September 30, on a flight that is paid for by the National Governing Body is always a good feeling. Knowing that one of the perks of being an official is the possibility that the flights and accommodation are paid for, is fantastic!

Funny that, because all the (3) people I sat next to on my flghts (one to Sydney and then to Brisbane) were all on business trips too. So really, none of us paid our own way.

There was a plan beforehand, to possibly hire a vehicle for our West Australian official’s use. There were quite a few of us this year. Raffaele DiRenzo, Richard Huynh, Aleisha Vincent and Roy Khoh from ATA-WA. Additionally, M. Rajendran and Jenny Crutchet from ODK in WA; and Harry Kim from SWTA.

Unfortunately, the decision was to just catch taxis and cabs everywhere instead. It was difficult because we all arrived in Brisbane at different times and days. Despite being only about 20 minutes away from the airport, the cab-fare was just over $50.

Luckily, the place we were accommodated at – Carindale Hotel – was actually part of a shopping complex, no surprise it was called Carindale Shopping Centre. So getting extra food and accessories was only about a 200m walk away. Too bad we didn’t get much time to do any shopping.

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Videos of ATA members performing at the 2009 Australian Taekwondo Nationals

I brought my video camera to tape our members at the 2009 Australian Taekwondo Nationals held at the Sleemans Sports Centre in Brisbane, Queensland. I was the primary videographer, of course, and because of this – not all members were recorded and not all footages were taken by me. Here is my favourite:

In order of performances, here is a list to all the youtube clips I’ve uploaded containing our ATA members:

Richard Huynh Individual Traditional Poomsae

Miranda Seng Individual Traditional Poomsae

Roy Khoh Individual Traditional Poomsae

Richard Huynh & Cesar Pairs Traditional Poomsae

Aleisha Vincent & Harry Kim Pairs Traditional Poomsae

Richard Huynh Indiividual Creative Poomsae (with music)

Cesar & Felicia Family Traditional Poomsae

Monika Wodzynska Individual Traditional Poomsae

Skip Sommerville Fight

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WA State Team Training for 2009 Nationals

Thought I’d mention quickly that there is state team training for the 2009 Nationals in Brisbane.

Thought I’d get this up quickly because the first session started last week and the next session is coming up this weekend at Kwinana.

As a reminder, even if you are going to the Nationals or not, you can still train with the state team for experience. The cost is $5 per session.

Sunday 16^th August, at ATI gym, in Unit 7, 1924 Beach Road, Malaga; from 10 am to 11:30 am

Sunday 23^rd August, at Kwinana Rec centre, corner Gilmore and Chisham Avenue, Kwinana; from 10 am to 11:30 am

Sunday 13^th September, at ATI gym, in Unit 7, 1924 Beach Road, Malaga; from 10 am to 11:30 am

Sunday 27^th September, at Kwinana Rec centre, corner Gilmore and Chisham Avenue, Kwinana; from 10 am to 11:30 am

Team photo taken on last state squad training on 27th September 2009:

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Merrily Christmas and Happily New Year poem

Christmas is as much about opening our hearts
As it is searching ourselves, our feelings, our thoughts
 
Christmas is forever, not for just one day,
for loving, sharing, giving, are not to be put away
like bells and lights and tinsel, in some box upon a shelf.
The good you do for others is as good as you do for yourself

..  as for always ..  as for the memories ..

Remember the good old times we spent together
charyeot, kyeong-nye, joon-bi, si-jak, kal-yeo, key-sok, geu-man
moving like lightning, some of us with twinkle toes and gliding across the mat
A wriggle here and a wriggle there, 1-step, 2-step, three
In yellow or in blue, it is still with the same lively glow

Oh, those long waits, sitting and waiting for the sudden action-reaction
waiting, waiting, waiting, it seems like eternity and time is ticking on
first it was Chung, then it was Hong with those explosive kicks
landing on the face and on the body or just hitting clean air
Ka-pow, ka-bam, ka-boom or just do it like the Nike swoosh
Yes it is a point .. No it isn’t  a point .. thinking, thinking

Decisions, decisions, decisions we have to make
As one we all collectively confirm spontaneously within that finite split second
The crowd cheers, they scream, they boo, the players they jump for joy
Such excitement, such emotions, and a joy to watch and experience
Yes, such is the art, the skill, the timing, the satisfaction
and most of all the feelings, the thrill, and the adrenalin charge
Alas ..  Alas.   Our art, our skills, this aspect of our duties are to be put away
Replaced by electronic senses that has no heart, no feelings, no emotions, no adrenalin charge

Remember the good old days, comrade, maestro and friend
In the best spirit of our sport, our art, our skills
Treasure them skills for they would be fond memories in time to come
Perhaps we may find solace in those games they play on the Wii

Anyhow ..

Have a MERRILY CHRISTMAS
And a HAPPILY NEW YEAR

Kim Seng
International Referee,
Australia

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Australian World Poomsae Championship Selections Tournament

This year’s selection for World Poomsae Championships is a low key affair with only about 50 players competing at the AIS in Canberra. Although small, most of last year’s winners were present to compete for position in the national team and like the previous two years, the majority of the divisions were won by the same players.

With only 5 players in my division (Male 31-40, we went straight into the semi which required us to perform Gumgang and Taebek in the first round. My Gumgang routine was less than ideal, with me losing balance on one of the movements and unfortunately, Gumgang is all about balance. Even before executing the movement, I knew in my head that I would have problems because I found the soft floor to be difficult to perform on since we practice on hard floor in class. I think I should invest in a few mats to practice at home .. Other than Gumgang, I was fairly happy with my other routines.

From a personal account, the tournament was a success because I managed to win my division, but it also allowed me to fulfill two of my childhood dreams, one of which was to see the deep space communication complex in Tibinbilla (I have always had an interest in Astronomy as a kid) and the other was to experience fresh powdery snow. After the tournament we went to Tredbo/Mt Kosciusko for two days and by co-incident got caught in the middle of a snow storm whilst driving around the Snowy mountains. Here are some of the photos of the trip ..

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