DPR Korean Martial Arts | 조선 무도: DPRK TOUR - ONWARD TO SLOVAKIA

ONWARD TO SLOVAKIA – THE TOUR’S LAST STOP

Dr. George Vitale

On the snowy mountain road to Slovakia!

The streets of Nitra

The normally 4-hour drive was slowed down and hampered by the wintery snow conditions. However the brilliant, fresh white snow, helping to make the long trip seem a bit less tedious, enhanced the beauty of the natural mountainous scenery. Upon arrival the team checked into the hotel and rested for the upcoming joint training with the students of Slovakia. Nitra is the 5^th largest city in The Slovak Republic or Slovakia. It serves as the government seat of the Nitra Region, which lies in the western area of Slovakia.

The training session was again a popular event that was filled with local students who were eager to share in this rare opportunity. The standard of technique in Slovakia is fairly high, as they benefited for years of training under Master Ri Yong Sok. Master Ri had been dispatched from the DPR Korea to teach in the Slovak Republic. He was the former Technical Committee Chairman of the ITF. Much of this evening’s training centered around focused on HooSinSul (self defense), which is the primary physical goal of ITF Taekwon-Do’s training.

Friday evening’s demonstration was again a popular sold out event. The program consisted of 10 different fighting style disciplines, listed in performance order; Brazilian Jujitsu, Boxing, free style Karate, Aikido, Krav Maga, Kung Fu, Mixed Martial Arts, Wing Tsun, Muay Thai and Taekwon-Do. In addition a local dance troupe Diamonds Academy performed some hip-hop numbers to the delight of the audience. The highlight of the night was again the action packed Korean Taekwon-Do Committee’s team, which rocked the arena with their display of raw power, self-defense, highflying multiple kicks and acrobatic, coordinated skills.

The Slovakia ITF Taekwon-Do Association was able to organized several corporate sponsors for the event, including Mazda. The Slovak fans, like all the others that watched the shows along this tour of Central Europe, lined up for pictures and autographs with this talented team that has no equal in the martial arts world. Joining the fans this time in the line to meet the Team was the VIP corporate sponsors as well!

The Team travelled by bus back on Saturday February 23, 2013 to Vienna Austria during a snowstorm that forced the cancellation of many flights. Upon arrival at the ITF Headquarters the Team showed the versatility and strength by shovelling the Headquarters driveway and parking lot. Afterwards they headed to their hotel for a well-deserved rest, before their next morning Sunday departure from Europe to travel home. Members of the Korean Taekwon-Do Committee will next appear at the regularly scheduled World Championships this July 2013 in Sofia, the Capital City of Bulgaria! We hope to see you there!

Training Session with the Local Students