Saturday, October 24, 2009 was a special day in the history
of ITF Taekwon-Do in Vietnam. After a break of nearly 20 years, Taekwon-Do reappeared on the map of martial arts
officially practiced in Vietnam.
In 1959 Vietnam was one of the very first countries to receive special attention from Gen. Choi Hong Hi. For the
first time Taekwon-Do was exported outside of Korea. Vietnam appeared to be perfect ground for Taekwon-Do development
and within a short time thousands of practitioners trained in the new martial art. In 1966 Vietnam, along with
other 8 countries, established the International Taekwon-Do Federation.
In the beginning of 90’s ITF Taekwon-Do faced many difficulties in Vietnam and eventually was reduced to just a
few small groups of enthusiasts who unofficially continued training ITF patterns.
In 2008 Grandmaster Tran Trieu Quan made an effort to approach the Vietnamese authority to open the door for reintroducing
ITF. At the end of 2008, a seminar was conducted by GM Tran and Master Ung Kim Lan from Germany who originates
from Vietnam.
The next step was the 42nd International Instructors Course run by Grandmasters Marano and Trajtenberg in March
2009, supported by Grandmasters Tran and Van Binh and assisted by Mr. Mariusz Steckiewicz. The course was a major
success. Nearly 100 black belts participated to the Course. Many of the senior instructors have commenced Taekwon-Do
training early in 60’s and 70’. In the beginning of 1990’s they have been forced to switch to other martial arts
and did not have any contact with ITF.
In April 2009 ITF board has approved to delegate Mr.
Mariusz Steckiewicz as the ITF special envoy to Vietnam in order to facilitate the re-introduction of ITF Taekwon-Do.
Two main objectives have been set:
1.to update Vietnamese instructors with the ITF technical standards in order to prepare them for the ITF degree
recognition test
2.to prepare the Vietnamese delegation for the ITF Taekwon-Do World Championships to be held in Argentina in November
2009.
For 6 months, groups of about 100 instructors from Ho Chi Minh City and nearby provinces have been practicing Taekwon-Do
techniques, patterns and study theory. Many of the senior members have found the sine wave, the most iconic element
of the current ITF Taekwon-Do, new and very difficult. Taekwon-Do has changed significantly since they began their
trainings. Movements, techniques and even names of some techniques did not remain the same. But none of these difficulties
lowered the energy devoted to learn all the changes.
 
On Saturday, October 24, 2009 in the Military Zone No
7, in Ho Chi Minh City a group of 85 black belts holders from 1st up to 7th Dan lined up for the 1st ITF Dan promotion
test to confirm their degrees in ITF.
At the beginning, in order to unload the stress before the test and to demonstrate another site of ITF, a small
group of young athletes presented a short demo of the ITF style free sparring. For the athletes this was another
practice before the forthcoming ITF World Championships where Vietnam will be represented for the first time since
1992.
After several hours, the promotion board consisted of Grandmaster Van Binh, Master Alfred Yu and chaired by Grandmaster
Tran Trieu Quan recognized 4: VII degree masters, 27: VI degree, 9: V degree and 20: IV degree instructors and
19 students from 1st to 3rd dan.
A significant number of the test participants held the ITF lower degree certificates issued in 80’s and 90’s. Now,
after recognition by ITF their current degree from other organization they will be presented with new certificates.
Among them Tran Hieu Ngan, silver medal 2000 Olympic Games winner, new 6th degree ITF.
All the applicants had to present patterns for their respective degrees and pass the 10-questions written theoretical
exam. The board after very critical evaluation of stances, movements and techniques decided that 6 of the applicants
did not fulfil the requirements. They will have another chance at the beginning of the next year.
The promotion was observed by the President of the Vietnam Taekwondo Federation vice-President and the Secretary
General.
After finishing the examination VTF had invited all the participants for a celebration. The happiness among the
instructors and the new masters was overwhelming.
The next step for the ITF in Vietnam is opening ITF schools and start teaching the ITF, the Taekwon-Do that many
have been waiting for.
http://www.tkd-itf.org/pub_web/ver_eng/ITFR29102009.html |
