Haedong!

Welcome to my personal blog. This site is a record of my progress, development and struggle to attain a Black Belt in Haedong Kumdo – the ultimate Korean Sword Martial Art.

Here on these pages you will be able to join with me and follow my training, grading and achievements; view my failings and pathetic attempts as well as share in my more enlightened moments, as I undertake this personal challenge to once again reach the Dan Grades in a Martial Art.

31 December 2007

Year End Results - 2007

Phew! Well firstly a Happy New Year to all – what a year 2007 was for me. I think the photo here shows it all – big smile, happy face, a few trophies and a Yellow Belt. I’m going to pat myself on the back and say I did much better than I ever thought I would last year.

Next year, 2008, my guess is that it will be much harder. I have the basics in Haedong Kumdo and have gone from a white belt to full yellow belt, albeit in three grading exams, in one year. This year I hope to raise two or three belt colours: Green, Blue and Blue/Red and with a bit of luck maybe get to Brown (?). I need to learn a further eight Forms then – I only needed one for the first year – so it will be a tall order. And, of course, there is all the other stuff to deal with as well: cutting drills, perfecting draws, stances and free sparing to mention just a few.

As they say in papers – watch this space to see how I measure up.

07 December 2007

Special Trophy!

Humbled am I. Just when I thought I couldn’t do better, up pops a Special Award for my efforts this year. Presented to me by Master Paul Giffen it truly is ‘ice on the cake’.
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Again, thank you to all those who have helped me this year, including my family and friends.

04 December 2007

Grading Day - 7th Gup

What a great end to a great week – especially after Sunday. Passed this grading feeling quite confident and at ease with Haedong Kumdo at last. I’m a Yellow belt, reminds me of 1974!
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Thank you again to all who have helped, trained, demonstrated and encouraged me through this year.

02 December 2007

Christmas 'Trophy' Day

I’m still in shock. Wow, awesome – what a day! I entered this competition for the experience just hoping against hope that I wouldn’t come last, well at least not in everything.

And what happens? I have the Trophy’s to prove it otherwise I wouldn’t believe it myself but I won two firsts and a second out of the three individual competitions; Paper Cutting, Forms and Draws.