The Three Faces of Taekwon-Do
Taekwon-Do may be viewed as a martial art, a sport and of course self defense. As a student of this great art I have at times confused these three faces, and my goal with this article is to highlight and differentiate all three. While the sport and competitive side of Taekwon-Do are self explanatory, many heated debates Continue reading “The Three Faces of Taekwon-Do” »
Cork Taekwondo 40 Years Reunion
Think of Brazil, and you invariably think of soccer. Visit Cork in Southern Ireland you might be forgiven for thinking of Taekwondo because this city and county has been a passionate bastion of ITF styled Taekwondo since Master Continue reading “Cork Taekwondo 40 Years Reunion” »
The Cork Taekwondo Funeral Experience
On Thursday morning I bumped into some old Taekwondo training friends and even some former Taekwondo foes, when I attended a funeral here in my hometown of Cork in Southern Ireland. Continue reading “The Cork Taekwondo Funeral Experience” »
Taekwondo Self Defence Techniques (Hosin Sul) Drilling Knees and Elbows
In this combination we explore those two explosive attacking tools, the knee (moorup) and the elbow (palkup). Apart from the practical value of short range techniques, it can be used for line-work in most Taekwondo classes, it is also great to include for cardio work as it works the bigger muscle groups, and can be easily done by most grades.
Continue reading “Taekwondo Self Defence Techniques (Hosin Sul) Drilling Knees and Elbows” »
The Oldest Taekwondo Combination in the Book
“The Oldest One in the Book”
This month’s Taekwondo combination is the Step In leading Leg Side Kick and follow up with a knife-hand. This is probably one of the first and most basic of all sparring combinations, we all strive to learn, nonetheless it is a formidable Continue reading “The Oldest Taekwondo Combination in the Book” »
Tailor Made Taekwondo Sparring Combinations Part 2 – Using the Axe Kick
Before we get into the axe kick, just recap on last month when we covered eight points that would benefit putting a combination together. Now we add two more. Continue reading “Tailor Made Taekwondo Sparring Combinations Part 2 – Using the Axe Kick” »
Taekwondo and Sparring the Inner Opponent
One of the best selling self help books of all time has to be: “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” by Stephen R. Covey. With 25 million copies sold and translated into 38 languages it makes an easy recommendation. Based on many years of success literature as part of his doctoral studies, it was first published in the USA in 1989. Elegantly written and containing trans-generational gems of profound wisdom, to my mind, has outlasted many of the current wave of new age publications. It’s important because it follows closely the dogma of the great Continue reading “Taekwondo and Sparring the Inner Opponent” »
Sparring the Taekwondo Ego
Allow me to transport you dear reader, back to when my parents gave me a pair of Boxing gloves in October 1965 for my tenth birthday. I wore them all the time and tested my skills on my younger, terrified brother. Continue reading “Sparring the Taekwondo Ego” »
Getting Serious About Taekwondo Training…
I was inspired reading the autobiography of one of the world’s greatest dancers Michael Flatley, about when he really decided to make dancing his life’s endeavour, how his training regime was seriously upgraded… Continue reading “Getting Serious About Taekwondo Training…” »
THE MEANING OF TAEKWONDO BLACK BELT IN 2012
So many students will enrol this January with the goal and the burning desire to become a Taekwondo Black Belt, and some will be willing to go through the hardship and discipline to be a really great one. With modern scientific training methods, the potential is there for the black belt standard Continue reading “THE MEANING OF TAEKWONDO BLACK BELT IN 2012” »
Does the Style of Martial Art You Practice Really Matter?
I recently wrote the following paragraph at the start of a book. I share it here as it leads into the opening of this blog…
“I began my study of the martial arts after an assault by a gang of thugs in 1974. The beating hurt more psychologically than physically, and for a long time afterwards, revenge was my prime motivation to take up martial arts training. The Bruce Lee craze was in full swing and I began training in Boxing and Taekwondo in June of 1974. It really did not matter to me that the style was called Taekwondo, I could just as easily have walked into Judo or a Karate club.
Continue reading “Does the Style of Martial Art You Practice Really Matter?” »
Frank Murphy takes Centre Stage
MARTIAL ARTS ILLUSTRATED MAGAZINE, February 2004, Vol. 16, No. 9, p.141 – 145
Frank Murphy Takes Centre Stage
This article introduces Frank Murphy’s ability as a public speaker and how he made appearances at events such as at David Lowe’s College of Martial Arts and MAIA’s (Martial Arts Industry Association) conference in Las Vegas. As this interview was carried out straight after a breathtaking Clash of the Titans in 2004, Frank Murphy was asked his opinion and analysis on the refereeing at this event. It then progresses onto questions about his new project Kaizendo, what it is all about, and why he in particular, as a Taekwondo Master has decided to develop the Kaizendo system.
The Strength Behind the Taekwondo Master
MARTIAL ARTS ILLUSTRATED December 1999, Vol.12, No.7, p.122 – 126
This article is about Catarina Murphy, wife of Frank Murphy and how she became involved in Taekwondo and eventually as a full time professional Martial Arts Instructor. It takes you through her initial days of training with the T.A.G.B.(Taekwondo Association of Great Britain), then the G.T.I. (Global Taekwondo International) and her influences as a young Teakwondo student which included the likes of Tony Sewell, Shabir Akthar, Kim Stones and Geoff Thompson. Continue reading “The Strength Behind the Taekwondo Master” »
GTI Chairman Frank Murphy Addicted to Taekwondo
TAEKWONDO & KOREAN MARTIAL ARTS, Vol.2, Issue 5, June 1997, p.34 – 41.
Frank Murphy Interview – No Cure For Me – GTI’s Chairman, Frank Murphy tells us how he became addicted to Taekwondo. Continue reading “GTI Chairman Frank Murphy Addicted to Taekwondo” »
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