Testings-

On February 23^st and 26^th we held a promotion testing for color belts and a couple of black belts. I am pleased to say you all did well. A special congratulation to our newest 4^th Dan and newest Instructor, Mr. Patrick Finan. Another congratulation goes out to our newest 3^rd Dan, Mrs. Debbie Ragone.

USTF Referee Course –

On March 2^nd we were privileged to host Senior Master Steadman’s USTF Referee Course at your school. We had an excellent turn out with several students from Kirksville TKD including Master Graham.  I would also like to thank the students who came in from Columbia TKD.  All of you who participated made this course into a success.  He taught a very informative and entertaining course. I wish everyone well who took the certification test. Senior Master Steadman was very pleased with the experience overall.

USTF Class C Instructors Course –

April 6^th & 7^th in Casper, Wyoming.  This course is open for all, but you must be a red belt black stripe or above to certify for the Class C Instructor.  The course is taught by Grand Master Winegar, the USTF Director of Technique.  The course is 8am-6pm both days.  We will leave Bellevue on Friday, April 5^th and return Monday, April 8^th.  The cost is $200 for certification and $75 for refresher.  Again you should attend these courses after initial certification whenever possible to learn as much as you can.  This course covers every aspect of Taekwon-Do from white belt through black belt.  The course is designed to make you a better black belt.  Written tests are only administered for initial certification.

Axe TKD Tournament –

May 18^th at the Youth Center.  This event is open to all students and there will be divisions for all ranks and ages.  Typically students compete against others of similar rank and age. Competition for patterns, sparring and breaking will start at 10am and we should be done by 6pm.  The cost is $30; we also have a team patterns division.  We do require advance registration by May 9^th.  Registration at the door is an additional $10.00.  The $30.00 covers entry for all events.  We do not charge for spectators and encourage students to invite family and friends.  We are expecting competitors from Missouri, Kansas, Wyoming, and Colorado.  Grand Master Sereff is planning on attending this year.  This is going to be our best tournament yet.

Mr. Finan’s Bio-

Mr. Pat Finan is an instructor under the United States Taekwon-Do Federation (USTF) at Axe Taekwon-Do.  Mr. Finan began his career training under Master Kim Il Kun, 8^th Degree black belt at Kim’s Taekwon-Do (WTF) in Fridley Minnesota in Sep 1990.  In April 2006, Mr. Finan joined Axe Taekwon-Do and the USTF.  In Sep 2009, Sr. Grand Master Sereff , USTF President, appointed him as the Armed Forces Director.  He founded MTM Taekwon-Do at Osan AB, Republic of Korea in Feb 2012, and returned to Axe Taekwon-Do in Nov 2012.  Mr. Finan is currently on Active Duty in the USAF, stationed at Offutt AFB, NE.  He was promoted to IV Dan by Master Ricky Todd in Feb 2013.

Planning for Upcoming Trips, Tournaments and Courses!!!-

In order to attend the events as inexpensive as possible, it is important to inform us as soon as possible.  We have created a list of people attending events so we have ample amount of time to reserve rooms. Please let an instructor know if you are “Attending,” “Might Attend,” or  “Not Able To Attend.”   There are fees for the tournaments and courses along with money for food, room and gas to be considered in your planning.  Our events and forms have been sent out  by email and posted on our webpage  at www.axetkd.com.

Sparring Gear-

While we do have sparring gear in the class to share, it is encouraged that each student have their own set of gear.  Sparring gear is required for the tournaments and for sparring in class. Everyone is required to wear head gear, hand gear, foot gear, and a mouth piece; additionally all male competitors must wear a protective cup.  Soft shin pads are optional but are encouraged.  If you would like to order a set of sparring gear (head gear, gloves, and boots) for your very own, please let Mr. Bushor know as soon as possible.  The cost is $69 for the entire set of sparring gear.  There is an assortment of colors and sizes.  You can purchase a mouth guard and protective cup at any major sporting goods store or at Walmart.

Newsletters-

Every month we put together a newsletter.  Master Todd encourages students of any rank OR parents of any student to submit an article or story to one of the instructors.  There are many new students that may want to hear what they can look forward to in class and at tournaments! All submissions will be reviewed by Master Todd prior to publication in the AXE TKD Newsletter. 

Taekwon-Do – More Than a Martial Art-  By Ms. Brianne Grant, (Blue Belt/Red Stripe)

When I first walked into the dojang, I remember seeing the people in their uniforms. It seemed surreal to actually see a martial arts class. My dad introduced me and my brother to the man teaching the class of white belts, Mr. Kevin Bushor. Our dad knew Mr. Bushor from work and said that we were interested in learning a martial art. Mr. Bushor told us how the class was conducted, what courtesies there were to follow, how to bow, etc. Then we lined up with the rest of the class as it was ending. He told us to place our right fist over our hearts as we said the tenets of Taekwon-Do and the student oath of Taekwon-Do. As I was standing there repeating with the other students after Mr. Bushor, I realized, “Wait a minute: this is an oath. An oath is like a promise…whether I want to or not, I’m in this!” I felt that by taking this oath, I was making a promise to continue Taekwon-Do and train in it. A small part of me felt panicked at first (“What if I don’t like it?”), but truly…I have not regretted it once. (“I like it.”)

As I have been able to watch our instructors and learn from them, I think I come to appreciate the time in our school more and more. There have been a lot of learning moments, but there have also been laughs had and good memories made. Every time I walk into the Youth Center doors and get ready for class, I always feel somewhat nervous and at the same time excited. It seems that there is always something new to learn, even with techniques you have already learned. (For example, you may learn more about the front snap kick at green belt than you did when you were at white belt). Only recently have I been able to identify a problem I was having with side piercing kick and start trying to work on it.

There have been some nights when I have felt disappointed with myself and felt that I could have done better in class, but I have had many more moments when all the class time seems worth it. Breaking a board, doing a pattern perfectly (well, maybe not quite perfectly), getting ready for a tournament, learning a new ho sin sul technique...there are many moments when you can go home with a sense of confidence. I can definitely say that I feel more confident that I could fend off an attack with the knowledge that I have learned from our instructors in Taekwon-Do.

Whenever I first received instruction from Master Todd, I could hardly retain anything he was telling me because I was so nervous! There have been so many times that I have been amazed at Master Todd, Mr. Bushor, Ms. Bowing, and all the other black belts giving their time to us so that they may teach us this martial art. I am so grateful for their instruction and concern for their students. One night, Master Todd spoke to us before we started class saying that we really have a responsibility to continue Taekwon-Do if we are able so that we may do our part in passing on Taekwon-Do. As color belts, we receive a great deal of instruction, and it is our part to teach others when we have reached the rank of black belt. I still have a way to go before I reach black belt, and I must say that I’m not sure I will ever reach 9^th Dan (let alone 2^nd Dan!), but I do hope to continue Taekwon-Do so that I can someday fulfill that responsibility.