Well I’ve finally made it back to Kuk Sool Won Training after an extended absence due to my neck injury. It’s been nearly a month without a good workout, and I have to say even though I had to take it easy, It was good to be back.

I’ve not been able to train for a while because I injured my neck doing flips onto the crash mat, and is pissing me off to put it mildly. I’ve trained hard for 4 years to become a black belt, and when I finally achieve my goal, I can’t take part in the classes!! I’ve damaged my neck (C4/C5) and I have radiating pain into the arm, neck, shoulders. Quite often, my fingers and right hand goes numb, and I suffer muscle weakness in my arm. So even if I want to have a drink to drown my sorrows, I’d probably just drop it!

And the prognosis is, that I need to rest, and take loads of painkillers until the swelling subsides and stops putting pressure on the nerves. The Solpadol tablets I’m taking are very good, but they knock you senseless, and I’ll be glad to get off them.

Kuk Sool Won Black Belt Extravaganza on Saturday 3rd July 7:30pm – 9:30pm at the Waveney Sports & Leisure Centre in Lowestoft. Tickets £5 Adults, £2.50 Children (13 and under) The Beach Radio will be in attendance, as is the Lord Mayor of Lowestoft, our new MP Peter Aldous and the Beach Bunny!! There will be over 100 students taking part in the demonstration.

Raising money for local children’s charity “Help an East Coast Child”.

Whilst browsing the Internet I came across a website with awesome pictures from the Kuk Sool Won European Tournament 2010. The website is called “AnEyeForDigital” (www.aneyefordigital.com) and its well worth a visit. Gavin the photographer, has set up a highlights blog, where you can view stunning high quality Kuk Sool Won photos.

I’d like to say a huge thank you to Gavin for allowing me to post these pictures, as these are some of my favorites:

JKN Janet Small and KJN Darren Brown

SBN Matt Goldspinks

SBN Kris french

PSBN Chloe Marks and PSBN Helen Denny

Sung Jin Suh

The above images are protected by copyright. AnEyeForDigital.com (c)

Please contact Gavin at www.aneyefordigital.com if you would like to use them.

I had my first official Kuk Sool Won Black Belt class this week and it was awesome. I’m so looking forward to the coming years and all the new stuff I am going to learn. As a Jyo Kyo Nim, I will learn five new forms, 143 new techniques as well as specialty kicking.

These are my new my new forms:
Joong Bong Il Hyung
Juhng Geum Hyung
Dahn Bong Ship Pahl Dong Jaht
Ki Cho Dahn
Bong Dae Ryuhn
Baek Pahl Ki Hyung

I’m particularly looking forward to learning Juhng Guhm Hyung, the sword form. I’ve watched this hyung being performed by the senior grades for nearly three years and it’s awesome. I’m also looking forward to the challenge of adding 143 new advanced techniques to the 226 I’ve already learnt (and yet to master) during my journey to Jyo Kyo Nim.

This is my technique syllabus
Ki Bohn Bohn: (10) Advanced Fundamental Techniques
Gahk Doh Bub: (10) Principles of Angles
Juhn Hwan Bub: (10) Spinning Principles
Goh Geup Sohn Mohk Soo: (15) Advanced-Intermediate Wrist-Grab Defences
Goh Geup Eue Bohk Soo: (15) Advanced-Intermediate Clothing-Grab Defences
Jwah Ki: (15) Defences From A Seated Position
Wah Ki: (15) Defences From A Prone Position
Jarp Ki: (20) Wrestling Techniques
Ee In Jee Ahp Sool: (10) Defences Against 2 Attackers
Johk Bahng Uh Sool: (10) Defences Against Kicking
Keun Dae Ryuhn: (8) Close-Range Sparring Techniques
Johk Sool Kyuhk Pah: Breaking Techniques By Kicking

I also had my photo taken which should be going into this weeks local newspaper, the Lowestoft Journal.

Getting ready for my first Black Belt Class

Bowing to my previous class

SBN Jon, JKN, Laura, PSBN Harriette, JKN Laura, JKN Andy (me) and SBN Matt

SBN Jon and SBN Matt

SungWoo Alex Suh and Sung Jin Suh performing various techniques as part of the Kuk Sool Won Masters Exhibition 2010 in Kings Lynn

A video of the Masters and Sa Ba Nim’s performing techniques at the Kuk Sool Won Masters Exhibition 2010 in Kings Lynn.

A video of the kick routine performed by the Master’s, Sa Ba Nim’s, and Pu Sa Ba Nim’s at the Kuk Sool Won Masters Exhibition 2010 in Kings Lynn.

A video of Kyo Sa Nim Mike and Jyo Kyo Nim Pete Garrod, Staff sparring at the Kuk Sool Won Masters Exhibition 2010 in Kings Lynn.

JKN Andy, SBN Dave, KSN Mike, JKN Laura, JKN Pete and JKN Laura

Here’s a video of the demo I did as part of my Black belt promotion, at the Kuk Sool Won Masters Exhibition 2010 in Kings Lynn. I’m  in the second row from the left, and the second person in. We performed Ki Cho Hyung and Joo Muhk Maga Ki Bohn Soo 1, 3, 5 and 15.

Here’s a video Helen took of me being called up to collect my Kuk Sool Won certificate of dahn at the Kuk Sool Won Masters Exhibition 2010 in Kings Lynn. Helen did get a little excited and forgot she was holding the camera at the beginning, lol.

I’ve had an absolutely awesome weekend in King’s Lynn, where I received my Jyo Kyo Nim promotion, and I took part in the Kuk Sool Won Masters Exhibition! In fact the whole week has been a phenomenal experience, from Wednesday’s grading through to my promotion. I’d like to congratulate everyone on their success at the tournament, their promotions, and the demo.

It’s been one of those moments that will stay with me for life, something I’ll look back on with a great deal of satisfaction, a sense of achievement and huge pleasure. I was simply amazing to be in the presence of so many Kuk Sool Won masters, celebrating our achievements, and watching our promotions.

I keep finding myself looking at my certificate just to make sure it’s real. I’m still so excited, so happy, and it’s an incredible sensation. Over the years I’ve looked at the Jyo Kyo Nim’s with a little envy, as the Generals uniform they wear is beautiful, and now I get to wear my own. When I look in the mirror, I feel very, very proud. That said, Helen asked me to stop wearing it in bed, lol.

The past 4 years have been a challenging journey, and it’s not over, for I have only just reached the start, now the true journey begins.

JKN Laura, JKN Laura , and JKN Andy (me) awaiting our promotion

Nervous anticipation

Glad I’m on the mats, the floor was hard, I’m still working on my Black belt bottom.

The dignitaries and guests headed by In Hyuk Sah

JKN Janet Small receiving her trophy for Grand Champion

Being called up to collect my certificate from the Grandmaster & In Joo Suh

Certificate in hand, and huge smile on face

PSBN Jon Denny recieving his promotion to SBN

Getting a numb bum, but still smiling

One of the masters breaking three concrete blocks with a hand strike

SBN Demo team. SBN Matt Goldspinks and SBN David Ellis close to camera

SBN David Ellis at the Masters Exhibition

The 2010 Kuk Sool Won Promotions

JKN Andy and SBN Jon Denny

JKN Andy and KSN Lee

JKN Helen and JKN Andy

PKJN Alison, JKN Andy, and JIKJN Martin

SungWoo Alex Suh and JKN Andy

JKN Andy and In Huk Sah (Grandmaster)

Sung Jin Suh and JKN Andy

KSN Mike and JKN Andy

JKN Andy and my certificate of Dahn

What it’s all been about, my Kuk Sool Won 1st dahn certificate

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