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Snippets of amazing old footage

DON’T FORGET TO WATCH No. 10 – Paul McPhail performs Juche forwards and backwards

For my 5th degree black belt grading in 1993 I thought it would be a cool idea to perform Juche Tul forwards then backwards for General Choi.

The plan failed miserably as I started the backwards part… I hadn’t even considered the possibility that General Choi would take offence to it. He turned his head and refused to watch. I figured… well… I may as well carry on now and struggled through to the end.

I passed the grading so I guess the General had forgiven me by the day the results were announced.

Here is the footage of the pattern at the grading.

Classic ITF Films : ITF Film Part 1

First Official ITF Training film (1973).

Released on Super 8 film with a cassette sound track. This has been digitized with the sound track in two parts.

Introduction and commentary by General Choi Hong Hi and Mr Robert Walson. Includes patterns Chon-Ji to Eui-Am with demonstrations of 3 step sparring, 2 step sparring, breaking, self defence, model sparring and foot sparring. Features Masters Park Jong Soo, Choi Kwang Jo, Kong Young Il and others.

The film also shows footage of the 1973 ITF Demonstration Team in Germany, featuring Masters Rhee Ki Ha, Kong Young Il, Park Jong Soo and CK Choi. This is followed by Bag work and kicking drills by Master Kong Young Il, free sparring and self defence techniques.

Classic ITF Films : ITF Film Part 2

Official ITF Training film Part 2

Unfortunately there is no sound track available for this footage so I have just added some music.

Part 2 was distributed to ITF recognition plaque holders and is very rare. Unfortunately the quality is poor and there is no commentary track for this footage.

Classic IIC : Gen Choi in Jamaica 2001

Over a decade has now passed since the Founder of Taekwon-Do passed away. Every now and then I reflect that most of the people in my classes, even senior black belts, never got to meet and train with General Choi. That is a great pity as he was certainly a legend – an amazing figure and source of incredible knowledge.

In April 2002, practically on his death-bed, Gen Choi travelled to the United States to fulfil his promise to Grand Master CE Sereff to teach a course for his students. That was considered his last IIC. The previous September was the last full course, held in Jamaica shortly after the devastation of 9/11. As you will hear him say at the end of the video, the world was chaotic and people were afraid to travel. But 30 fanatical Taekwon-Do students gathered in Jamaica regardless to learn from the man himself.

Sharp International Tournament 1985

The Sharp International Tournament in 1985 was a turning point for Taekwon-Do in New Zealand.

Others who made exceptional contributions towards the tournament were Harry Hemana, Sonny Ooi and Steve Mulholland. Seven countries attended the tournament including Japan and the United States. The ITF Vice President, Chon Jin Shik, donated $10 000 to ITFNZ which really enabled the Foundation to make some headway.