RightMakesMight

Isn't there something about the chinese character for ten that makes super special--I've heard it referred to as "God's number"? Something about a connection between Earth, Man, and Heaven. Sound familiar to anyone? On a side note, a tenth degree was awarded to ATA's Grand Master upon his passing. I believe it was signed by a number of his peer ninth degrees from many other associations (since he was the only ninth degree in ATA at the time). His title was dubbed "Eternal Grand Master" and I thought it was a touching sentiment from the other Grand Masters.

Come on, short people, we all know that a tall person of equal ability and build has the advantage. Short people have to actually be better in some catagory to win because tall people are already winning the reach catagory. I don't want to take away anything from all you tall champions, the best is the best no matter how you look at it, but if I could stay as fast and as flexible as I am now and grow some real legs... Tall is an advantage for kicking people, short is an advantage for...driving expensive sports cars and flying jet fighters? : )

I'm glad you got your school work out of the way and can concentrate on testing. So this doesn't apply to you, just kids in general. I just wanted to remind them that you don't HAVE to test at every testing. You can miss one testing and test at the next one without consequences. However, you can't skip school work without consequences. I'm not saying you should drop out of taekwondo for school--I have a tkd school and it would be bad for my business if everyone drops out during the school year--but, if it comes down to finishing a project and going to class, finish your project. Of course, with good planning and study habits, there should be enough time for both. (Yes, I'm also a parent.) I just want to point out to you older school-age kids, that if you mess up your schoolwork, your taekwondo is going bye-bye when your parents get the report card. If you're in college--you're big enough to make your own decision on what is important (unless your parents are paying for it.) RightMakesMight "If you're not doing what's right and no one is there to see it--You'll still know." "Just because you're not doing anything wrong doesn't always mean you're doing what's right."

What does one do for 8 hours a day in class? I could not physically manage an eight hour class at the same intensity as the one or two hour classes I'm use to. I guess I mean, is it the difference between sprinting and marathon running? Eight hours could make a really good martial artist, or a really bad one, depending on what and how you practice. I've seen the Korean demo teams do some fantastic board breaking, choreographed fights, and team stuff over there. But I've seen the same team do forms individually that were no different from the average stuff here. And I've seen individual stuff from Europe and the US that is just as good or actually better than the individual stuff from Korea. And for some reason, almost every South American I've met is a competent in full contact sparring. (Of course, their economy is different from ours as well, many of them trained to fight for money, or make a name for themselves for teaching credentials.) As for North Korea, they have an fancy marble building dedicated to tkd, complete with stadium seating, and a mechanized floor that rises to create a stage. In his latter years, I believe, General Choi oversaw training at that facility. The students there actually trained for a living--it's their job--Although I'm not sure what they are suppose to do with their taekwondo skills, since they can't open up their own school, compete on a tournament circuit or leave the country. But it's better than starving to death waiting for seeds to plant in the empty fields. I'm not saying it's better to train here. But I do think it depends on who your instructor is and who you are. Not everyone is willing to train hardcore for even two hours a day, even if they can find a competent instructor. Quality vs. Quantity holds true even for training time. (And I would rather live here than there any day--I like ice in my drinks, milk, chocolate, flush toilets, piped sewage, and air conditioning.)