The Korean Cultural Centre on Friday March 22, 2024 officially concluded its 10 weeks intensive Taekwondo training for its adult class and graduated 30 Taekwondo students successfully.
The colourful ceremony was graced by the Director of the Centre Mr. Kim Chang-ki, KCC Taekwondo Department Head Master Lee Hye Rim and FCT Command Sports Directorate of Nigeria Civil Defence Corps Master Funmi Bamishe as observers and competition Judges.
The graduation ceremony took place alongside the 1st KCCN Kpop-Taekwondo demo contest.
All you need to know about 1st KCCN KPOP-Taekwondo demo contest
A detailed insight by the KCCN information desk revealed that the KPOP-Taekwondo Demo Contest is a combination of Kpop rhyme (Korean Pop Music) and Taekwondo moves.
Four groups took part in the 1st KCCN Kpop-Taekwondo Demo contest.
Group Contest
Each of the groups was named after Korean cities – Jeju Jets, Seoul Skaters, Daegu Daggers and Busan Bees.
A preliminary performance (semi-final) was held a week ahead (Friday, 15 March, 2024). Daegu Daggers had the highest semi-final point.
This was followed by Seoul Skaters, Busan Bees and Jeju Jets, respectively.
The performance table turned during the finals. All groups came up with highly improved performances.
The judges rated each performance based on the following criteria:
(a) Introduction/ use of Korean Language
(b) Group coordination/ taekwondo etiquette
(c) Skills display in terms of self-defence (Hosinsul); Breaking (Kyeokpa) and patterns (Poomse
(d) Kpop music (beats) choreography
Performance Outcome
At the end of the entire contest, Busan Bees won Gold with a total of 700 points. Daegu Daggers place second with 670 points. Seoul Skaters and Jeju Jets placed 3rd and 4th with 660 and 550 points, respectively. Winners were all rewarded by the KCCN with Taekwondo equipment and participating athletes received assorted souvenirs to compliment their performance awards.
For selected members of the class who distinguished themselves in character and learning , they were decorated with new taekwondo belt ranks.
About eight students were promoted to different ranks ranging from red to yellow belts.
Torrents of reactions
In their respective responses, one of the graduating students Martha Martins, a Content Creator and Creative Writer, who was among those to be promoted, shared her excitement for her growth in the Martial art.
She then thanked the KCCN for providing an excellent environment – Dojang and a highly skilled Master to help her learn the practical use of Taekwondo beyond the training walls.
She had started her Taekwondo journey in September 2024 and has now risen to the rank of a yellow belter.
Also speaking, another graduating student, Ella Ola, a dealer in the energy sector who had stated practicing Taekwondo a decade ago since her university days, praised the KCCN where she began training again in 2022 after relocating to Abuja for empowering her Taekwondo skills.
Another graduate, Mr. Joshua Boyede, a legal practitioner sharing her experience after starting Taekwondo this year said, “My interest in Taekwondo has always been for the health and fitness benefit and also to learn self-defence. However, my motivation for registering at KCCN is primarily because the time works perfectly with my busy schedules. I was able to participate fully and I graduated as a yellow belter.
“So, I indeed can say that my interest and expectations were met and exceeded at the KCCN. Every class was a rich blend of Taekwondo’s best ranging from basic techniques which are fundamental for strength and balance to advanced techniques profitable in self-defence and competitive situations.
“As a rookie in Taekwondo, it was an exciting experience to learn Taekwondo in a standard Dojang and with some of the finest instructors. The instructors not only exhibit unwavering commitment to excellence but are also able to replicate this in the students. Thus, the zeal and energy that fills the Dojang at every training session makes me anticipate the next.
“The icing on the cake was the conclusion of the training with a blend of K-Pop/Taekwondo demo. The class was divided into four groups and each presented a Kpop/Taekwondo demo. The demo was an exhibition of all we have learnt from the objectives of Taekwondo to the tenents of Taekwondo as well as the benefits and branches of Taekwondo.”
Earlier, while speaking on behalf of the KCCN, Master Lee Hye Rim, Head of Taekwondo Department was pleased with the great potential for development and touched by passion and commitment of the students.
She said, “The Cultural Center is even more eager in its pursuit in furthering the spread of Korean culture and the development of Taekwondo infrastructure in Nigeria and Africa through events that combine various Hallyu popularity elements.
“The Centre is currently planning its upcoming annual Coach Seminar as one of its commitments to Taekwondo Development in Nigeria.”
