Great Alaska Martial Arts Festival & Tournament

On Saturday June 21st I participated in the Second Annual Great Alaska Martial Arts Festival & Tournament at the UAA sports center. Chung's Tae Kwon Do Alaska had a very good showing by percentage. All of the participants over the age of seven won first place in their sparring competition. The youth took first place in poomse (forms) while we old guys took second place in our poomse divisions.

I really wish I could post the sparring video, but I haven't been able to get a copy myself. I was a lot better matched this time. My opponent was probably five years older than me and fifty pounds lighter, but we were rather evenly matched in skill and speed. Since it is light contact and not death-match, my bigger size actually goes against me.

In the picture from left to right are Conner, Evan, Alex, me, Master Ron, and Caitlin. Evan is the brown belt that I always have to spar for my belt tests. His son Conner is up for the summer and his other boy Alex is in the little kids class. Caitlin is own of the three teenagers who add chatter to our workouts.

Spring Belt Testing

After doing the required forms, sparring and breaking a board with a front snap kick, Jason earned his green belt in Tae Kwon Do on April 19th. While he passed his test, it served more as a reminder of just how much more he has to learn.

Due to the differences in the coloring of rank belts in Tae Kwon Do and Karate, and the frequency of testing (Jason has had two belt tests in between the karate belt tests), Jason was able to catch up with Christopher in belt color (though Christopher really out ranks his dad). In actuality Jason's rank is equivalent to Alanna's rank.

UPDATE:

Oh yeah...and the Karate Kids just had their belt tests this last weekend. Christopher advanced 1/2 a step (same as the rest of the green belts), Alanna advanced to green belt and Sheila earned her orange belt.

This summer they will be going once a week and Megan will be joining them. If we ever do another family portrait we'll have to do it in our martial arts uniforms. :)

The Martial Arts Weekend

This weekend was a martial arts weekend for the Bailey family. Christopher & Lance (my cousin Miki's husband) both participated in the Alaska Region Tournament-2008 for Shotokan Karate on Saturday. Christopher received two bronze medals for his efforts in intermediate kata and intermediate kumite. Lance also earned two bronze medals in those same two events (at the black belt level) as well as a gold medal for team Kata and a silver medal for team Kumite.

Celeste will be disappointed to hear that her brother earned two gold medals (forms and sparring) at the USAT Alaska State Taekwondo Championships-2008. This was a qualifier for nationals, so in theory I could go to the national Taekwondo Championship.


In Taekwondo, the points are awarded for hitting the chest protector of your opponent. (I believe kicks to the head count for points to, but my three kicks to my opponents head were dodged, so I don't know if that is indeed the case.) These points are generally earned through kicks. Punches can be thrown, but rarely count as they must result in a "trembling force."

I only had to spar/fight one person, but you never realize how long a minute is until you are forced to don a lot of gear and kick another person while they are kicking you. I thought the three rounds would never end as I was sucking in air. After the first round I was down by one point; at the end of two I was ahead by one point; and by the end of the match I'd managed a two point lead. My instructor was very pleased that I was able to earn one of my points with a punch. He said I hit my opponent so hard he staggered back a step. :)

My instructor shot some video and took some pictures. Once I get a copy, I will post them for your amusement.

Jason's TKD Belt Testing

Sheila, Christopher, and Alanna are all taking karate lessons. I decided it might be fun to join them, but I have to watch Matthew and Megan during class. The solution came to us while visiting some neighbors with whom the missionaries were working. I could take Taekwondo classes from this guy who lives down the street from me.

At first I was apprehensive about taking these classes, but fortunately there weren't many other people on the nights that I went. On occasion it was basically a private lesson and I started to develop confidence.

Saturday morning I went in for my first belt test and felt pretty good about how I did. I broke a board, did my forms, demonstrated kicks and blocks, and did some self-defense. Tuesday night I was awarded my yellow belt.

I was also told by Master Ron that the other judge said that I need to enter some tournaments as I have very good form and control for a beginner. Me, the awkward guy who stumbles over his own feet. :) Should I decide to enter any tournies, I will update the blog with my story...whether they be of success or humiliation.