Chris Reid
June 21, 2002
Being smacked by the Choi's
The day after grading for my 4th Dan, I was asked to come to General Choi's house (along with Mr. Morningstar and
another Instructor) to take a few photos for the updated Encyclopedias.
When we arrived, we were brought down to the basement and told to change. I had met General Choi before but this
was different; I was in his basement with the two other Instructors and in walks General Choi and Master Choi.
The fact that I was in his house, in a smaller room with so few people made me feel very uneasy. I wondered, "God...what
am I doing here".
I was asked to perform a double forearm block. General Choi came over to place my hands where he wanted them before
the picture was taken. I guess Master Choi thought my hands should be closer in to my center line so he moved them
slightly. General Choi began speaking to his son in Korean, apparently they were discussing the block position.
During the discussion General Choi looked at me and smacked me (not too hard) in the side of the head and said
"See, no good" Master Choi moved my hands back to where they were originally and said something in Korean
and smacked me (again, not too hard) in the other side of the head and said, "No good either". After
a few more adjustments a couple more smacks, they seemed satisfied and took the picture. As I walked away, I guess
General Choi saw me smirk at the other Instructors and he figured out what I was smiling at and said. "Don't
worry, I only hit soft today".
In some sort of strange way, I was proud to have been hit by the founder and his son. It's been said before and
it will be said again...Taekwon-Do people are strange!
Taekwon,
Chris Reid
Damian LaVoice
June 21, 2002
A Couple of Favourites
Over the the years I have attended 14 General Choi seminars. Each time I was as nervous as the first time. I remember
at one course in 1994, General Choi pick me to perform the warm up exercises. I didn't know why until later on
when one of the masters told me that General Choi recognized me from several earlier seminars! Wow! The founder
recognized me, a lowly 2nd Dan!
As time went on General Choi started to remember my name. At a seminar in Alberta once he asked "what is sparring?"
I answered, "Sir, sparring is the physical application of attack and defense techniques gained from pattern
and fundemental exercise against an actually moving oppenent or oppenents." General Choi smiled and handed
me the microphone. He said "LaVoice, you speak loudly! You have good Voice just like your name!"
But my proudest moment was once at a seminar several people had performed Joong-Gun Tul and apparently none to
General Choi's liking. He looked at me and said, "LaVoice, you do. LaVoice will now show you how to do pattern
correctly. He best in US!" Now I know I'm not and I sure know General Choi was just saying that to make me
feel good but it sure did!
I had the privilege of going to General Choi's house once with several other people. That was quite an experience
being in the founders home.
There are many other fond memories such as being in the hotel room next to him and being awakened by him conditioning
his hand, etc... But the above are some of the ones that stand out for me.
Taekwon!
Damian LaVoice
THE FOUNDER: Favourite Moments with the General
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