Kuk Sool

The first lesson of Kuk Sool was awesome! After the warm up, SBN (Sa Bum Nim - 4th degree - Instructor) Jon took us to the side where we practised some blocking and, I think, the first part of Ki Cho Hyung. We may have even learnt a few techniques.

Gemma and I were joined by another chap - Danny, who Gemma actually went to school with. Small world, eh? He was on the Kick Start program too. Then, we were later joined by Bethany and Donna to make up our little White Belt team.

Over the next few months, I learned the Ki Bohn Soo techniques, the fundamental form - Ki Cho Hyung, various kicks and punches, as well as a few Korean phrases and words. I kicked through wooden boards as part of our first grading to earn our yellow stripes, I've learnt to fall properly, and even learnt how to do a one handed cart wheel!

In June, Danny, Gemma and I competed at the European Kuk Sool Won Tournament, held in Kings Lynn. Not only that, but all three of us came away with Gold Medals! My two out of a possible three were for:

• Ki Cho Hyung (parts 1-3) and for
• Ki Bohn Soo techniques 3, 6 and 9.

Unfortunately I wasn't able to spar due to my recent eye surgery.

Gemma received Gold for:

• Ki Bohn Soo techniques 3, 5 and 7 and for
• Sparring (against a yellow belt!)

She also got Bronze for her Ki Cho Hyung (Danny took the Gold).

Me, Gemma and Danny

I could never in a million years have thought that I would ever compete in a tournament of any kind. Neither did I ever expect to appear in the local paper's sport section. Let alone wearing gold around my neck.

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At the end of June, I graded for my Yellow Belt and even took part in three public demonstrations at local schools! In front of crowds! Something I could also never have seen me doing!

Kuk Sool has absolutely changed who I am. I am fitter. I am faster. I am more confident. I am positive. I look to what I want, but I also appreciate even more what I have - my family, my job, my house, my friends, and my amazing wife.

(I'd add "my health" but I am still falling apart, it seems. But I'm not dead yet! And I always have a smile on my face :D )

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