1997

Washington DC March 21 - 24

It was a thrill to be invited to attend the (World first) conference where 300 Martial Artists, Masters and Grand Masters representing 126 nations congregated in the Hilton and Towers Hotel Washington DC for five days to share and respectfully acknowledge each others skills and contributions to society through the worlds leading Martial Arts.
As it was our first visit to Washington DC we were pleasantly surprised to find it apple-blossom time. It was a visually beautiful and an exciting multicultural place.  I could go on about the friendliness of fellow martial artists and the people of Washington. We had many memorable experiences packed into that week so I will only list the most important.

The HIGHLIGHT of the trip was meeting The original founder of Taekwondo Great Grand Master Won Kuk  Lee himself. Ninety-three years old. Grand Master Lee officially certified and registered us as Masters in the Art of Tae kwon do. This was a true accomplishment and recognition for us after 25 years in the Art, March 1997 turned out to be truly a memorable experience.

Master Carol Halimee

Vice President World Taekwondo Academy

May 1997 Maughan Thiem become the official sponsors of World Taekwondo Australia.

November 1997 - Korean Grand Master Cha Sok Park in Australia exclusively for World Taekwondo members.

1998

The Taekwondo practitioners of South Australia enjoyed a unique Taekwondo experience when Grand Master Dr Cha Sok Park (President of the Pan American Taekwondo Union and Vice President of the WTF) visited Master Wahid Halimee and the students of World Taekwondo South Australia. In 4 seminars spaced over the weekend of the 12th of September, World Taekwondo students were shown new techniques and the latest information in advanced training methods.

An update to the latest referee requirements and regulations meant that the first seminar has encouraged many more students to want to achieve referee status. Current and prospective competitors also gained a better knowledge of what referees are looking for and how to make the best fight.

Seminar 2 was for the young ones and they revelled in the specific attention. These future Taekwondo champions were treated to training in competition and sparring techniques that will keep them occupied at least until the next seminar. Master Wahid Halimee commented to the Instructors present that it was a valuable lesson for instructors also and that the techniques could easily be introduced for the classes where some students could not make it to the seminar. Grand Master Park was present in Adelaide for seminars in 1997, and this years’ Hapkido Seminar was all the more enjoyable for those who had experienced a taste in 97’.

Teaching the students present all about the history of Hapkido and then entering into basic moves training, Grandmaster Park had everyones’ undivided attention. Spectacular and effortless demonstrations performed in conjuction with Master Wahid were only made more impressive by the promise of more next time. Most of the students became more confident in retaining the basics from the course and promised to practice hard in anticipation of next time.

Sunday was the final day with Grand Master Park and the level of enthusiasm had the students very excited. A comprehensive day was spent exploring more deeply the aspects of training in Taekwondo, including detailed poomse training and basic hand movements. As this last seminar drew to a close it was evident that there was so much more to learn.

Grand Master Park’s enthusiasm and generosity was endless and the final day ended on a high note. A farewell dinner held in honour of Grand Master Park was an opportunity for students and instructors to thank Grand Master Park personally.

In thanking Master Wahid Halimee and World Taekwondo for the opportunity to come to Australia, Grand Master Park echoed the thoughts of everyone when he said he hoped to see all of us at many more seminars and all improving in our training of World Taekwondo.

As the students and Instructors slowly emptied out into the night it was easy to see the seminars had been a success, all you needed to watch was the students walking to the car with their arms and legs moving everywhere as they already began their practise ready for 1999.

Thankyou to Grand Master Cha Sok Park and Master Wahid Halimee from the students of World Taekwondo Down Under.

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Feb 1999 newsletter

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Sep 1998 - World Taekwondo Team visits Korea the motherland of Taekwondo for the international competition and training experience of a lifetime

1999

July 1999, Master Wahid & Master Carol in Washington DC with Grand Master Cha Sok Park, Master Levon and Master Lee (President of the Taekwondo Department in the Famous Korean Yong In University).

After a gruelling 5 days of training in Taekwondo Sparring and Kemdo, The masters travel to London to form the World Chung-Du Federation with Master Frank Masser under the guidane of Grand Master Cha Sok Park and with the blessing of the Great Grand Master Won Kuk Lee.

Master Wahid and Master Carol continue their journey to Nenagh Ireland for Grading test and seminar for the World Taekwondo students in Ireland.

2000 - The year of the Sydney Olympics

LONG AFTER THE YEAR 2000…. As we head toward the year 2000 and the Olympics, there is a renewed focus on the part that the Martial Arts plays, with the emergence of ‘sport v art’ argument and the successful balance of a credible and effective martial art that can satisfy the needs of a diverse community is no easy task.

One such person to take up the challenge is Master Wahid Halimee President of World Taekwondo Australia and founder of the Australian Hap Ki Do Academy. Master Wahid has taught us that maintaining structure and tradition whilst teaching a developed and modern art is one of the most important parts of a successful progression in the arts. Depth of technical knowledge, depth of talent, and a time tested teaching methodology that is flexible with the times are essential.

Master Wahid has developed a curriculum that includes participation and exposure to tournament style training, practical street style self defence, Hap Ki Do training and a specific Kids Taekwondo Program that encourages and fosters the talents of tomorrow’s martial arts stars.

Ensuring that the legacy of World Taekwondo is passed on in its purest form is a high priority for Master Wahid. A strong group of Instructors have adopted his teaching methodology and are attempting to follow in the Master’s footsteps. Master Wahid devotes much time to the detailed instruction of his instructors, who in turn are able to spread the accurate teaching of a comprehensive curriculum.Some of these instructors have been teaching under him for close to twenty years.

Master Carol Halimee is an integral part of World Taekwondo. She runs her regular World Taekwondo classes in addition to being a South Australian pioneer in the development and teaching of self-defence classes designed for specific needs. A true long time component of the South Australian martial arts scene, Master Carol provides a clear and inspiring role model for the progression and benefits available to female martial artists through World Taekwondo.

Instructor Michael Cronin has also martial arts experience that reaches back to the seventies. Instructor Michael makes a deliberate attempt to implement the World Taekwondo curriculum and standards he truly believes that all things associated with World Taekwondo need to be part of one successful formula.

Instructor Patrick Ramsay-Matthews has spent the last 14 years under the instruction of Master Wahid. According to him one of the most inspiring components of the World Taekwondo style is being able to see the progression from beginner to experienced martial artist. With his recent promotion to 3rd Dan Black Belt he is passionate about providing the best in training opportunities to the students of World Taekwondo. This is made possible by the unique system of teaching from Master Wahid whereby everybody from beginner to Instructor is constantly updated and encouraged.

On a regular basis Instructors meet for sessions where Master Wahid ‘teaches the teachers’, exploring all aspects of the art including the easily forgotten feeling of being a beginner. World Taekwondo offers classes at night times and during the day with different structures according to need.

Larger corporations have supported World Taekwondo corporate programs and the art of World Taekwondo is on the move. The sense of belonging is fostered by regular events that all the members are involved in. (World Taekwondo runs regular classes for SGIC and Bank SA and has a beneficial affinity program with Mutual Community and The Life Be In It.) This involvement is highest when Master Wahid and World Taekwondo host the annual seminars presented by Grand Master Cha Sok Park.

Grandmaster Park is visiting South Australia again in November of this year and if his Taekwondo, tournament and Hapkido seminars of previous years are anything to go by then participation will be high. This year is of special note as Mr Josiah Hanson will be accompanying Grandmaster Park. As the Senior Vice President of the WTF, it will be a great experience to meet him and the whole of World Taekwondo is looking forward to the experience.

World Taekwondo is a progressive and dynamic martial art. The philosophy of World Taekwondo is simple, success through unity, hard work and consistency.

The Master and his apprentices are forging the way with a truly developed system of training and instruction.

World Taekwondo will surely be a name remembered long after the year 2000.