HISTORY CELEBRATED: HISTORY MADE!

A.I.M.A.A Summer Camp 2010 with Grandmaster Hee Il Cho

By Jasmine Cho

           The week of July 11-16^th, 2010 was one of steep historical significance on many different levels for Grandmaster Hee Il Cho and the Action International Martial Arts Association (AIMAA). Over one hundred AIMAA members from around the world once again reunited with the President and Founder of AIMAA to partake in the organization’s fifth AIMAA Summer Camp event, which simultaneously marked the association’s 30^th anniversary, Grandmaster Hee Il Cho’s 70^th birthday year, the promotion of another new AIMAA Master to join the ranks of the current five in the organization, and, the promotion of the first ever AIMAA Grandmaster.

The location of this year’s AIMAA Summer Camp event could not have been more suitable, as it invited everyone to gather in the United States’ capital city of Washington, D.C. The actual venue of the event – Trinity University – was one of the most impressive at which the AIMAA has ever hosted an event. Upon arriving on campus, AIMAA members were welcomed by Trinity University’s cathedral-like architecture with its regal stone walls and floor-to-ceiling vintage windows. The rich history surrounding everyone inevitably instilled a sense that each person in attendance would embark on a time of his or her own history-making in the week to follow.

Not only were the immaculate physical facilities inspiring, the gathering of AIMAA members around the world to the nation’s capital city also proved to be of even deeper symbolic significance when considering Grandmaster Cho’s personal history. Escaping the grasps of poverty-stricken Korea both serendipitously and with unimaginable sweat, blood, and tears, it was Grandmaster Cho’s entry into America, a land that gave him the opportunity and freedom to pursue his dreams, that paved his way to becoming the living martial arts legend that the western world has come to love, admire, and respect today. Founded by Grandmaster Cho in 1980, AIMAA is celebrating its 30^th year – a feat that truly inspires awe when considering the organization as the extension of a man who came with so many limitations yet defied the very notion of such things and became one of Tae Kwon Do’s revolutionaries. The celebration of Grandmaster Cho’s 70^th birthday year only intensified the awe that would continue to energize this year’s AIMAA Summer Camp event.

AIMAA Summer Camp 2010 kicked off with an International Black Belt Test on July 11th, where participants demonstrated their speed, strength, agility, and most importantly, their discipline and dedication. Most notably was the 6^th Degree promotion of AIMAA Ireland Instructor, Michael Fitzgerald and the 8^th Degree promotion of AIMAA Technical Director Master Philip Ameris. The achievement of 6^th Degree denotes the rank of Master within the AIMAA, and so the organization hugely applauded Master Michael Fitzgerald and his induction as the sixth AIMAA Master.

With a seriously injured thigh that had held him out of commission for several weeks prior, Michael Fitzgerald not only demonstrated mastery in technical skill but the essence of indomitable spirit by pushing through the excruciating pain only eased by his determination. The 8^th Degree rank is considered the rank of Grandmaster, making Grandmaster Philip Ameris the first produced by the organization. Grandmaster Ameris, now 48, first met Grandmaster Cho at the young age of 19 and has become Grandmaster Cho’s senior student of nearly 30 years. Grandmaster Ameris was in peak physical shape after losing over 25 pounds during the period he trained specifically in preparation for his exam. Not only did he impress everyone with his expert technical precision and stamina, Grandmaster Ameris touched everyone as he spoke from his heart to express all he has learned and gained from Tae Kwon Do throughout his lifetime as a martial artist. Most memorable was when Grandmaster Ameris amazed everyone with an incredible power break of a baseball bat with his bare shin.

The five days of camp were filled with excellent training sessions led by various instructors offering diverse perspectives and expertise. Among the training seminars included MMA training by Grandmaster Philip Ameris, foundational curricular training by Master John Darcy (AIMAA European Director), point and continuous sparring seminars by Master John Kirkwood (AIMAA Scotland Director), bow staff weapons training by Instructors Sean and Denise Farrell (Cho’s Tae Kwon Do Albuquerque), one-step sparring instruction by Master Michael Fitzgerald (AIMAA Ireland), and even fun-filled children’s drills conducted by Philip Ameris, Jr. (New Kensington, Pennsylvania).

Sessions were also divided down to belt ranks, so students at every level could reap the best benefit from the training hours that passed by all too quickly. AIMAA Ireland Instructor Will Power directed 2^nd – 4^th Degree Black Belts and AIMAA Ireland Instructor Aeneas O’Connor taught Red through 1^st Degree Black. Ms. Kirsty Gough from AIMAA Scotland headed sessions for Brown Belts, and Mr. Percy Brown from Alabama directed Brown Belts and under.

The power and grace of AIMAA’s Black Belt female instructors captivated the youth who followed the dynamic instruction of Instructors Denise Farrell (New Mexico), Ene Corupe (Arizona), Jeanne Ameris (Pennsylvania), and Kirsty Gough and Cecilia Gough (Scotland).

Two sessions were led by Grandmaster Cho – one was for all camp participants, where both adult and children attendees trained together in a thunderous hall that amplified everyone’s adrenaline. The second session was completely devoted to the youth participants, where panther and children students had the incredible opportunity of training for two hours directly under Grandmaster Cho.

After a week of hard training and hard play, all camp participants gathered together to devour two enormous cakes prepared for the celebration of Grandmaster Cho’s 70^th birthday. With a piece of cake in everyone’s hand and laughter erupting all over Trinity University’s campus park, the sight of everyone enjoying a great time of fellowship together showed how the AIMAA embraces fellow martial artists as a true family. Brianna Banachoski, youth camp participant and student of Ameris’ Cho’s Tae Kwon Do in New Kensington, Pennsylvania, summed up her experience by noting: “I never thought I'd have the opportunity to learn from so many amazing and inspiring martial artists. Not only that, but I had a great time getting together with old friends and meeting new friends. It's an experience that I will never forget, and I'm looking forward to the next AIMAA Summer Camp.”

The AIMAA Summer Camp events began back in 2000 and have only continued to get better and better. All participants testify that AIMAA Summer Camp 2010 was the best one yet that will undeniably remain in everyone’s minds. Held biannually, the next AIMAA Summer Camp in 2012 will likely welcome everyone back to Orlando, Florida and will work to once again surpass the tremendous success of this past event.