Taekwondo Grandmaster To Visit Cyprus Military Club

The first ever taekwondo grandmaster to visit a military club in Cyprus to mark 100 years since the birth of its founder. 

The Ayios Nikolaos Taekwondo Club in Ayios Nikolaos Station, Cyprus, was founded five years ago and since then it has been giving those in the base the chance to both learn and practice the martial art, which originated from the Korean Empire.

"It doesn't get higher than first Grandmaster Rhee Ki Haa... He brought Taekwondo to Europe."

The club, which has 15 members aged from seven to 43, is now going to receive a visit from Rhee Ki Haa at the island's annual training seminar. 

Sergeant Marek Platt, who has a 1st Degree Black Belt, said: 

"It doesn't get higher than first Grandmaster Rhee Ki Haa. He was the first ever to be promoted to Grandmaster. He brought Taekwondo to Europe, essentially.  

"For these guys to have exposure to that level (of Taekwondo) is awesome and it's something that will probably only happen once for them."

The British military has become better and better at martial arts over the last few years, with grassroots clubs at bases across the world, like the Ayios Nikolaos Taekwondo Club, playing a big role in that trend. 

In 2017, it saw Sergeant Marek Platt win three silvers and a gold at the Inter-Services Championships.

Chief Instructor at the club, Jason Ainley, who has a 6th Degree Black Belt himself, said:

"Taekwondo is based on the modern principles of science.

"It's a complete training system that trains both mind and body. It covers flexibility, mobility, strength, power  and while learning this you also learn practical self-defence skills."

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