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I was once a strong advocator of TKD, but NO MORE!! I’m through with McDojos that care more about your wallet than your personal well-being. The World Tae Kwon Do Federation, Kukkiwon and United States Tae Kwon Do Union are a BIG, FAT JOKE!!!
HERE’S MY STORY:
Since I was seven, I have been training in the martial arts. I was trained at home until age 10, but my father felt that my isolated training wasn’t healthy so he enrolled me in karate. I studied karate and kickboxing for nearly two years then switched to a TKD gym because, while visiting my karate gym, the TKD Master saw that I had more potential for growth at his dojan.
I had to work hard all summer for cash, but I eventually got into the TKD gym. After 2 years, I became the star pupil and won numerous tournaments, national championships and titles. At age 15, I was even invited to train at the Olympic Complex in Colorado Springs. Needless to say, by this time I had invested a lot of time and money into TKD. The WTF was very happy that I was promoting them through exhibitions and local charities. Afterall, they were getting exposure and enrollment.
In high school I got into a lot of fights. I realized that although I never got beaten up, my victories were narrow and someone could easily crush me with the right techniques. Fortunately, I met two martial artists through my girlfriend who became my training partners and very best friends. We trained in street fighting scenarios, ground fighting and all out sparring. We later met a guy practicing at the park who had 15 years of combined boxing and kickboxing experience.
At this time, my relationship with my TKD Master was deteriating... I taught classes Friday nights and Saturday afternoons and began teaching my own brand of street TKD. My Master reprimanded me by excluding me from teaching.
It was time for my 1st Dan Black Belt testing and I passed with flying colors. I never received my Black Belt however because my Master had issues with my teaching methods. That Fall, I left for college and continued training and teaching at the University. When I returned home for the semester, my locker at the TKD gym had been cleaned out and I learned I was no longer welcomed. I was shocked! I had expensive equipment, uniform and momentos in my locker. I confronted my Master who gave me the “silent treatment” and brush off. I never went back and now the gym’s closed.
I did however complain to the WTF Federation and Kukkiwon. Basically they gave me the runaround and then told me to get lost. I also contacted various high council members in the TKD circle, none of whom bothered to investigate or show sympathy. I also wrote to TKD Magazine, but they don’t want to hear negative aspects of their organization.
So you see, the Tae Kwon Do enterprise only cares when you’re making money for them, but when you really want to improve yourself and bring the art to a new level, they ignore you. It’s been nearly 10 years and I have never received the recognition I worked so hard to achieve. The whole idea of belts don’t fascinate me anymore, it’s the idea that I invested so much only be be denied an award... The good thing is that I learned something about myself and REAL fighting.
HERE’S MY STORY:
Since I was seven, I have been training in the martial arts. I was trained at home until age 10, but my father felt that my isolated training wasn’t healthy so he enrolled me in karate. I studied karate and kickboxing for nearly two years then switched to a TKD gym because, while visiting my karate gym, the TKD Master saw that I had more potential for growth at his dojan.
I had to work hard all summer for cash, but I eventually got into the TKD gym. After 2 years, I became the star pupil and won numerous tournaments, national championships and titles. At age 15, I was even invited to train at the Olympic Complex in Colorado Springs. Needless to say, by this time I had invested a lot of time and money into TKD. The WTF was very happy that I was promoting them through exhibitions and local charities. Afterall, they were getting exposure and enrollment.
In high school I got into a lot of fights. I realized that although I never got beaten up, my victories were narrow and someone could easily crush me with the right techniques. Fortunately, I met two martial artists through my girlfriend who became my training partners and very best friends. We trained in street fighting scenarios, ground fighting and all out sparring. We later met a guy practicing at the park who had 15 years of combined boxing and kickboxing experience.
At this time, my relationship with my TKD Master was deteriating... I taught classes Friday nights and Saturday afternoons and began teaching my own brand of street TKD. My Master reprimanded me by excluding me from teaching.
It was time for my 1st Dan Black Belt testing and I passed with flying colors. I never received my Black Belt however because my Master had issues with my teaching methods. That Fall, I left for college and continued training and teaching at the University. When I returned home for the semester, my locker at the TKD gym had been cleaned out and I learned I was no longer welcomed. I was shocked! I had expensive equipment, uniform and momentos in my locker. I confronted my Master who gave me the “silent treatment” and brush off. I never went back and now the gym’s closed.
I did however complain to the WTF Federation and Kukkiwon. Basically they gave me the runaround and then told me to get lost. I also contacted various high council members in the TKD circle, none of whom bothered to investigate or show sympathy. I also wrote to TKD Magazine, but they don’t want to hear negative aspects of their organization.
So you see, the Tae Kwon Do enterprise only cares when you’re making money for them, but when you really want to improve yourself and bring the art to a new level, they ignore you. It’s been nearly 10 years and I have never received the recognition I worked so hard to achieve. The whole idea of belts don’t fascinate me anymore, it’s the idea that I invested so much only be be denied an award... The good thing is that I learned something about myself and REAL fighting.
(and yes, I SUCK at written english:P) anyway, if you are lucky and find a good teacher and a good school, that utilizes the nice techniques in a realistic way and let you train with full stress and realism.. BE HAPPY! they are seldom, but they exist..
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