On the 22nd of September in front of over 300 people a piece of history was made in the John Wright Sports centre, East Kilbride, Scotland, when world renowned Grandmaster Hee Il Cho walked out onto the floor of the main hall. Nothing has ever been seen like this in the history of A.I.M.A.A Scotland, and nothing can ever match up to this in the future.

A.I.M.A.A Scotland Director, Master John Kirkwood had planned this event for many months, and wanted to ensure that not only Grandmaster Cho had a wonderful experience in Scotland, but those attending also had an experience that would leave them with many wonderful memories. The seminar was set up to welcome all those attending, and national flags flew representing the students attending from, Scotland, Ireland, Jersey and England. We also had the national flag of Hawaii, as well as Korea. At the side of the main stage, two massive photographic banners of Grandmaster Cho took stage, for all those to see their living legend. Grandmaster Cho, later signed one of these impressive banners for Master Kirkwood.

The seminar kicked off at 6.15pm, as National Secretary Miss Quintella Walsh took to the stage. Miss Walsh was asked by Master Kirkwood to do the honours due to her expertise and delightful personality in these matters. Miss Walsh firstly introduced Mr Fitzgerald, who had kindly brought his bagpipes over for the event. Mr Fitzgerald, who will become the next A.I.M.A.A Master next year at the A.I.M.A.A Summer camp played some traditional tunes, before playing some Coldplay!  After the short interlude of music, A.I.M.A.A Masters where introduced one by one. First was our very own A.I.M.A.A Director, Master Kirkwood, who was the host of the event, received a raptures applause, followed by A.I.M.A.A Ireland Director Master Peter Byrnes. The last Master to be introduced was European Director Master John Darcy, who is a major pillar within the A.I.M.A.A family. Each A.I.M.A.A Master received a fantastic reception by all those lined up and sitting in the hall.

By now you could feel and see the tension and anticipation, as everyone geared up to officially welcome our founder and president to Scotland. Miss Walsh firstly introduced the first lady of the association Mrs Cho, who was given a raptures welcome to Scotland. As Miss Walsh introduced Grandmaster Cho, and the doors opened at the back of the hall for his entry, you could visibly see the students straining to see their icon walk through the hall to the stage, everyone was applauding loudly and everyone was cheering! As Grandmaster took to the stage the cheering and clapping went up a notch as he nodded in appreciation of his welcome.

The seminar kicked off with some meditation, some stretching and then leg raises to get the blood flowing and the mind clear, in preparation on what was about to come! As the seminar progressed students found themselves bounding from punching combinations, kicking combinations and one-step combinations. The seminar was intense and explosive, and everyone was trying their best to keep up with Grandmaster Cho.

The hall was very hot and everyone became dehydrated quickly, and at one point Mrs Kirkwood and Mrs Cho, quickly passed some water thought the lines for those students to get a well earned drink. As the seminar progressed through many techniques Grandmaster took time to focus on the many children in the seminar, especially the little Panthers at the front. Mrs Cecilia Gough, Miss Walsh and Miss Fahey took time and trouble to look after these children and help them through the seminar.

Grandmaster had fun with them, as he had done in Ireland, by focusing attention onto them and making them feel special. He talked them about growing up, by being strong in mind and body, by loving their parents and be the best they could possibly be!  He also spoke to the whole seminar on ego and how that certain students think due to their rank they automatically receive respect! he spoke of how ego is not the right path to walk, and only through true enlightenment can one be a true martial artist.

As the seminar progressed from the light warms ups, the students found them selves reaching some hard core training, and looked on in awe of a man nearly 70 yrs exploding from one kick to another, flexing his strength, power and outshining everyone. As Masters, Students and children tried their best to keep up with one move, he had moved onto the next, never faltering, never stopping and always with a commanding voice, that truly received respect and attention.

This 2 hour seminar was over in an instant, and as it came to a close Grandmaster Cho took the time to thank everyone for their welcome to Scotland, especially to Master Kirkwood and Mrs Kirkwood for their hard work in ensuring this seminar took place. It took just over an hour for Grandmaster Cho and the A.I.M.A.A Masters to take photographs with all the students, in groups and individually, also they undertook the momentum task of signing all the books, posters and banners that everyone had brought along.

AIMAA SCOTLAND INTERNATIONAL SEMINAR - SEPTEMBER 22ND 2009

MASTER KIRKWOOD' S CHO'S TKD BLANTYRE STUDENTS.

Master Kirkwood and Mrs Kirkwood would like to thank the following people for their help in setting up the seminar, organising transport and above all always being their for them in Scotland. We wish to thank Mr Gerry Long and Mr Paul Healy for helping Mrs Kirkwood with the set up of the seminar, as well as Mr Fitzgerald who honoured us with playing his bagpipes. Also a big thank you to Mrs Gough, Mrs Sutherland, Mr Graham, Mr McLear and Mr Maxwell for help with transport, food, and coverage of classes during this historical visit. Your help has not gone unnoticed.

A big thank you to all the students and Instructors who attended and supported Grandmaster Cho in Scotland, especially to those from outside our association who had travelled many miles to train with this living legend.

MESSAGE FROM MASTER KIRKWOOD  This will probably be the last visit by Grandmaster Cho to Europe, and each and everyone of you has made this trip special in many ways for Grandmaster Cho. He has had an unbelievable seven days in Europe and has met so many students within the martial arts, who have inspired him to continue his work and his training in Tae Kwon Do. 

We all inspire each other to be better, do better and to learn from one another. Only through this positive link can we progress, not only physically but spiritually in our journey within martial arts.

God Bless   Master Kirkwood

ALL PHOTOS & VIDEO ON THE AIMAA SCOTLAND SITE IS COPYRIGHT PROTECTED. IF YOU WISH A COPY OF ANY PHOTOGRAPH PLEASE CONTACT aimaascotland_hq@aimaascotland.com THANK YOU

A.I.M.A.A SCOTLAND SEMINAR GALLERY  COMING SOON!

INTERNATIONAL SEMINAR GROUP SHOTS

AIMAA MASTERS PICTURED WITH THE NEXT AIMAA MASTER MR FITZGERALD

MR JOHN KIRKWOOD'S CHO'S TKD SCHOOL LESMAHAGOW

MR JAMES LAWSON CHO'S TKD GLASGOW

MR KEVIN MC LEAR CHOS TKD BELLSHILL

MR & MRS BELGACEM CHO'S TKD HAMILTON & LARKHALL

MR FERNANDES CHO'S TKD JERSEY

AIMAA IRELAND INSTRUCTORS WITH AIMAA MASTERS

MR MIAH CHO'S TKD HUDDERSFIELD

WMST INSTRUCTORS & STUDENTS WITH AIMAA MASTERS

STA INSTRUCTORS & STUDENTS WITH AIMAA MASTERS

GTUK INSTRUCTORS WITH AIMAA MASTERS

ITF INSTRUCTORS WITH AIMAA MASTERS