Doug C

Doug, I trained in TaeKwonDo with the ATA, American TaeKwonDo Association. It is the worlds largest martial arts school with members world wide. You can train at your school and go into any other ATA school and they will be teaching the exact same thing. This way when you compete in a tournament you are judging 'apples to apples' so to speak. I taught a Friday night class for over 3 1/2 years. I have been out of the m.a. for about 12-13yrs now. Man, I would HATE to have to do some of the kicks I used to do, they were so effortless back then. sigh... My instructor had me come back for several of the belt testings as a guest judge. One of the guys I trained with 'way back then' is now a 4th Degree Black Belt and he has begged me to come back as an instuctor at his school. My forge has a sweeter call. :) Thanks for asking, I do miss the people and the challenge as well as the discipline. One of the craziest things I did was once, after a testing our instructor had all of us judges to do a board breaking demo. Speed break, that is when the board (1"x12"x12") is held with the thumb and 1 finger and you break it with 1 single strike with your fist...I approached my instructor when it was my turn to break and ask to do another technique. Hammerfist said I, he said 'How many boards?' 4? 'Good, you break' yessir, bowed and set up the boards. Adrinaline can do awesome things, I broke all 4 and it was the easiest break I ever made! Sorry for the rambling.... How about you? Ever think of getting back in? Or has this Blacksmithing thing got you too? :)