INTERNATIONAL BLACK BELT TEST

On Saturday the 19th of September, history was made when A.I.M.A.A President and founder Grandmaster Hee Il Cho, oversaw one of the largest Black Belt testing in Ireland.  The testing had just under 70 students testing for 1st degree up to 5th degree, under a prestigious panel of A.I.M.A.A Masters.

At the head of the table sat the associations President and Founder, Grandmaster Hee Il Cho 9th degree, flagged at both sides by Masters from Ireland and Scotland. European Director Master John Darcy and Regional Director Master Peter Byrne sat at his side, with Master John Kirkwood and Mr Fitzgerald, who will become the next A.I.M.A.A Master, when he tests in Washington D.C in 2010.

The testing was organised by a many A.I.M.A.A Instructors to ensure that everything was set up for this prestigious event. The backbone to all the organisation was the "A.I.M.A.A Ireland National Secretary", Miss Walsh, who oversaw all the proceedings and ensured all the administration for all testing participants from the various countries was accurate for the panel. As usual her outstanding organisational skills shone and this was seen by all the A.I.M.A.A Masters and Instructors. A special thanks also goes to Mrs Fahey who looked after Mrs Cho at the testing, as well as helped out in the proceedings.

The high red belt students kicked off the testing and underwent a gruelling session covering line work, one step, self defence, patterns and sparring. After all these elements were covered line by line they approached the testing panel for their theory and question session, which was intense as you could visibly see the students shaking at this point!

Master Kirkwood had five of his own students testing from A.I.M.A.A Scotland and looked on as they went through their testing one by one. Those testing for 1st degree was Miss Lauren Mullaghton, whilst Mr David Graham, Mr Michael Maxwell and Mr Mark Russell tested for 2nd degree. Finally we had Mr James Lawson who tested for 5th degree within a small group 6 students.

Miss Mullaghton was first on the floor within the high red division, and did an outstanding job in her testing. Although she is very small some of her techniques where very powerful for her stature.

After Miss Mullaghton was finished we had three of our Snr Instructors and students take to the floor to test for 2nd degree. Mr Graham, Mr Russell and Mr Maxwell found themselves within a large group of Black Belts testing for 2nd and 3rd degree. Again, all the students did and exceptional job and fought through their nervous to make it to the end of their testing.

Master Kirkwood is very proud of his students and Instructors as they emulate the true elements of Tae Kwon Do, in respect, modesty, and integrity.

Master Kirkwood last student on the floor was Snr A.I.M.A.A Scotland Instructor and close and personal friend of Master Kirkwood, Mr James Lawson. Mr Lawson has been with Master Kirkwood for over 20+ years and is a true ambassador of A.I.M.A.A Scotland. 

Although he is of 50+ years, he is in his prime and is an active member of A.I.M.A.A teaching weekly in Glasgow.

Mr Lawson did an exceptional job at his testing and managed to keep going, even through his pain which he carries through a leg injury.  

A.I.M.A.A Scotland is very fortunate to have Mr Lawson as he is an example to us all in dedication, loyalty, and above all no ego.

A.I.M.A.A Scotland and Master Kirkwood would also like to mention Mr Alex Walker who trains at Cho's TKD Larkhall under Mrs Belgacem.

Master Kirkwood has known Mr Walker for many years, stemming from the old days when they trained and sparred together within the TAGB in Scotland.

Mr Walker kindly took the time to thank Master Kirkwood and Mr John Kirkwood Jnr for their help in his preparation for his testing, as he has been training with both Instructors in Scotland.  Both Master Kirkwood and Mr Kirkwood would like to thank Mr Walker for his thanks and his friendship.

During the testing many students stood out to the panel and to those watching, as they showed awesome techniques and strong moves.

Mr Will Power, Mrs Doreen Byrne, Mr Alex Walker, Mr James Lawson, Mr Paul Healy, Mr Gerry Long, Mr Finn Snr and Mr David Graham. These students had a very strong testing and were and example to everyone around them.

A full gallery of all the action on the day can be found at the bottom of this page,a s we. All A.I.M.A.A Students now wait with anticipation to hear of their results from A.I.M.A.A HQ in Hawaii. This information will be relayed to each Master and Instructor in the next few weeks.

CLICK HERE  FOR 1st DEGREE TESTING GALLERY

CLICK HERE  FOR 2nd DEGREE TESTING GALLERY

CLICK HERE FOR 3rd DEGREE TO 5TH DEGREE TESTING GALLERY

CLICK HERE FOR GROUP TESTING PHOTOGRAPHS

CLICK HERE FOR THE A.I.M.A.A INTERNATIONAL BLACK BELT TESTING VIDEO

CLICK HERE FOR BLACK BELT HAND DESTRUCTION VIDEO

CLICK HERE FOR 5TH DEGREE TESTING VIDEO

CLICK HERE FOR 3RD DEGREE TESTING VIDEO

CLICK HERE FOR 2ND DEGREE TESTING VIDEO