The 2004 Korean Masters Seminar culminated in a spectacular demonstration on
Sat. May 22. The demonstration featured groups and individuals from all of the
martial arts taught at the Martial Art Fitness Centers, Inc. in Rochester, MN.
It also featured several groups from martial arts schools as far as 100 miles
away. Several awards were presented to Rochester city officials and to officers
of the Korea/USA SimMuDo Association.
Guest of Honor
GrandMaster Song, Pan Gon
GrandMaster Song, Pan Gon is a 9th dan black belt from Shihung City, S. Korea.
He was present at the demonstrations as a guest of honor and as the President of
the Korea SimMuDo Association.
GrandMaster Song was presented with certificates of appreciation by Rochester
city official Dennis Hanson (right) and Fred Gommels. Professor John Chambers of
Florida also presented GrandMaster Song with a gift bullwhip, hand-crafted by a
renowned artisan (bottom right).
In return, GrandMaster Song presented certificates to Master Fred Gommels of Rochester (bottom left),
Professor John Chambers of Florida, Master Francis Moore of Iowa, and to
Kirby Strissel of Rochester for work they have done on behalf of the
Korea/USA SimMuDo Association.
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Youth TaeKwonDo
TaeKwonDo is Korea's national sport. It employs hand strikes and awesome
kicks for self-defense and fitness.
Demonstrations by members of the
Martial Arts Fitness Centers, Inc. of Rochester, MN.
Hapkido
Hapkido comes from Korea. It combines techniques from the Japanese martial arts of judo,
yawara and aikido with the strikes and kicks of Korean Tae Kwon Do. The hapkido
practitioner will apply joint locks, throws and restraining techniques to neutralize an attacker.
Demonstrations by members of the Martial Arts Fitness Centers, Inc. of Rochester, MN.
Jujitsu
Jujitsu combines standing defense techniques (blocking, striking, joint locks and throws) with
ground-fighting techniques (escapes, strikes and joint locks).
Demonstrations by members of the Rochester Jujitsu Academy of Rochester, MN.
Korean Weaponry
The weapons taught to members of the Korean Weaponry program are the nunchaku,
wooden sword, and 5-foot staff.
Demonstrations by members of the Martial Arts Fitness Centers, Inc. of Rochester, MN.
Aikido
Aikido differs from other martial arts in that the practitioner seeks to neutralize
an attacker without causing serious injury. He harmonizes with the attack rather
than confronting the attack, converting it into a circular motion that unbalances the attacker.
Instead of using potentially crippling kicks or punches, the aikido practitioner will apply
wristlocks, arm pins or throws to neutralize the aggressor.
Demonstrations by members of Aikido of Rochester, MN.
Teen & Adult TaeKwonDo
TaeKwonDo is Korea's national sport. It employs hand strikes and awesome
kicks for self-defense and fitness.
Demonstrations by members of the
Martial Arts Fitness Centers, Inc. of Rochester, MN.
TaeKwonDo by Martial Art Fitness Centers
of Waterloo, IA
Members of the Martial Art Fitness Centers of Waterloo, IA, under the direction
of Master Francis Moore, traveled to Rochester to perform their TaeKwonDo demonstrations.
Karate
Karate developed on the small island of Okinawa as a practical method of weaponless
self-defense. Designed for close-in combat, karate controls the opponent by blocking
and grabbing while employing powerful kicking, and striking techniques to disable the opponent.
Demonstrations by members of Okinawan Karate and Kobudo of Rochester, MN.
Weaponry Demonstration by the
TaeKwonDo School Austin, MN
Members of the TaeKwonDo School of Austin, MN performed an advanced staff form.
Kobudo
Historically, kobudo predates karate as a means of self-defense. As the samurai of
ancient Okinawa were disarmed by conquering Japanese, kobudo developed out of the
samurai techniques of sword and spear fighting. However, it utilized implements commonly
available to an Okinawan farmer or fisherman.
Demonstrations by members of Okinawan Karate and Kobudo of Rochester, MN.
Red & Black Belt TaeKwonDo
Red and black belt members of the TaeKwonDo programs in Rochester, Austin, Albert Lea,
Spring Valley, and Zumbrota were on hand to perform advanced forms and self defense.
Form & Self Defense Demonstration
by Master Fred Gommels
Master Fred Gommels, owner of the Martial Art Fitness Centers, Inc. of Rochester, MN and
president of the Korea/USA SimMuDo Association, performed an advanced TaeKwonDo form and
a spectacular demonstration of self-defense.
Blue Fire Demo Team
The Blue Fire Demo Team consists of members of the Martial Art Fitness Centers, Inc. of
Rochester, MN. Students of all ages, ranks green belt and up, are invited to join. Special
practices are held for members of the demo team. The team is sending several members to
Shihung City, S. Korea to perform there at a major Korean TaeKwonDo tournament.
