Time is a limited resource for many people in the present economic climate, but First Tae Kwon Do Western Australia members have continued training hard through the summer. After many years of training, our newest adult black belt member achieved his 1st Dan ranking at the December 2022 grading examination under Master Vernon Low. The third photograph below shows the successful candidate from Armadale with Master Low, Chief Instructor John O’Brien, Chief Instructor (WA) Dane Meade, and Armadale instructors.
First Tae Kwon Do instructors continue training and undergoing grading examinations, but over much longer periods (years) and with much higher standards required than for the student ranks. In February 2023, instructors getting ready for their imminent grading examinations worked on their final preparations. The photographs below show two of those instructors, executing knife-hand strikes and kicking techniques.
That same month, all First Tae Kwon Do Western Australia black belt members came together for a regular statewide training session under Chief Instructor Meade. For this particular session, selected 1st Kup (brown belt with black tip) members were invited to attend as part of their ongoing preparations for their black belt grading examinations in the future. Apart from the intensive physical training through two hours, Chief Instructor Meade taught several practical self-defence techniques.
Best wishes to all candidates, from 10th Kup through to 2nd Dan, preparing for their grading examinations in March 2023.