Feedback of World Champ from Ireland아일랜드해동검도세계대회후기

 

Feedback of World Champ from Ireland아일랜드해동검도세계대회후기 

 

 

 

 

United World Haedong Kumdo Federation

World Championships 2009

 

For the Irish representation of Martin O’Malley and Michael McDermott, the 2009 World Haedong Kumdo Championships in Busan, Korea was an amazing experience.

 

From the competition itself to the views of the Busan city from the mountain location of the Deong Eue University the whole event was an immersion in the Art of the Korean Sword and the Korean culture from start to finish.

 

On arrival it was Mr. Hwang who collected us at the airport, and then, we picked up the first of the international representatives we were to meet, Alexandre from Brazil.  From here it was straight into a restaurant for one of Korea’s most famous dishes, Bulgogi, with a healthy serving of Megju and Soju.  

 

Day two was a tour of Busan and a visit to Mr. Hwang’s Dojang close to Haeunde beach, before settling in for the night to prepare for the main event – the World Haedong Kumdo Championships.

 

From start to finish, this was one of the best organised events the Irish duo had ever attended, and the Masters of the Sword attending, despite their high status gave freely of their time to assist us in what ever way possible.  The opening ceremony was a spectacle of delight and lead into some hotly contested divisions, where we were delighted and enthralled with the skill and determination of our fellow practitioners.

 

Over the course of the two day event, we took part in Kumbup and Free Sparing competition, Michael McDermott earned a 4^th place certificate in Kumbup, and both of us had two fights each, but alas, no medal placings.   However, not a moment went by when we were not entertained by the highly skilled practitioners from all over the world as they demonstrated Kumbup, Cutting, Creative Kumbup, Creative Sparring and Free Sparring, with every participant demonstrating why they deserved to represent their nation at the World Championships.

 

Following the event, the closing ceremony in the Commodore Hotel was a fantastic affair with introductions over a meal to our brothers and sisters in Haedong Kumdo from around the globe.   Here, in the beautiful hotel, over a fantastic meal, we strengthened old friendships and made new ones.

 

It took many people to organise and co-ordinate such an amazing event, however, it was the vision and untiring work of one individual our Chong Jae Nim, Kim, Jeong Seong which brought us all together to celebrate this event.

 

Through him the United World Haedong Kumdo Federation came into being, through his efforts, practitioners from all over the world gathered together in Busan to share our common interest.  It is through his dedication to Haedong Kumdo that the Korean Sword and Korean culture has spread throughout the world, and this, the first of many World Haedong Kumdo Championships stands as testimony to this work.

 

To all those who were present, we salute you, to all those who were not – you have missed out on one of the greatest events in Martial Arts history, our advice to you is simple, don’t miss the next one.

 

 

Martin

Haedog Kumdo President of Ireland

Vise President of EU HK Union