Tang Soo Do: Visit of South African Master Veronica Amorim |23 June 2016

South African master runs classes locally

World Tang Soo Do Association state director for South Africa and owner of the South African Tang Soo Do Academy, Master Veronica Amorim, visited Seychelles from June 3-10.

Master Amorim, who was here on the invitation of the Northern Tang Soo Do studio, took part in the studio’s annual training camp and also held a special class on basic self-defence for women and girls -- one of her areas of expertise.

She also paid a courtesy call on Designated Minister Vincent Meriton who is also the Minister for Social Affairs, Community Development and Sports, and National Sports Council chief executive Giovanna Rousseau

Master Amorim also met members of the Seychelles Karate Federation (SKF) executive committee.

The studio’s training camp which ran from June 3-6 under the theme ‘Ryun Ma’ which is Korean for ‘Refining Self’, was described as a very “enriching experience” by the WTSDA country director, owner and chief instructor James Faure.

“Our aim for this year was to go back to the basics and ‘refine ourselves’ and by this we did not want to focus only on the physical side of training, but rather incorporate the ‘whole person concept’ which is what our art represents,” Mr Faure added.

The camp focused on the many different aspects of Tang Soo Do training -- going from hyung basics, team building exercises to WTSDA protocol and etiquette sessions.

“The sessions were broken down into many segments, some were more on the fun and lighter side while others were really tough and demanded a lot of physical and mental discipline,” explained Mr Faure adding that “we have explained to Master Amorim what we wanted prior to her visit and she really delivered, and this is why we chose to invite a woman this time around. Women have a tendency to pay more attention to minor details which is often what makes all the difference”.

Students taking part in the camp also had the privilege to train with national team coach, Sensei Allen Joubert, during one session.

“Tang Soo Do is a Korean martial art and the rules that apply in our national championships are that of the World Karate Federation (WKF) which is Japanese. So getting a heads up on what the rules and regulations of WKF are is necessary for our students,” said Mr Faure, adding that “I have trained with Sensei Joubert for many years and he has taught me a great deal, he is someone I look up to and have great respect for and his experience is second to none. We wanted our students to have a taste of that”.

The studio also held a session on basic First Aid run by the Red Cross Society of Seychelles, and this is another aspect of training they feel is important and necessary.

Mr Faure explained that “understanding and knowing the basics of First Aid is what we want our students to have, this way they can not only help one another but also their family members and why not help save a life someday”.

Robert Ah-Weng from Campaign for Awareness, Resilience and Education (Care) was also invited to take part in the camp by giving a talk on the theme ‘Refining Self.’ This is the second time Mr Ah-Weng shares his time and knowledge with the Northern Tang Soo Do studio, and he has proven to be very popular with the students who hold on to his catchy phrases. This year it is ‘tyeke, sanze, persevere e amelyore!’

Before leaving Seychelles on Friday June 10, Master Amorim had interviews with the Seychelles Broadcasting Corporation (SBC) and the PURE FM radio stations. She also held intensive training sessions with the black belt holders during the day and in the evenings with the students at the Beau Vallon and Roche Caïman community centres where the studio runs its normal training sessions all week. A special session was also held at the International School Seychelles (ISS) where Mr Faure runs a karate club for the junior students.

Overall the visit of Master Amorim was a great success and so was the camp. The Northern Tang Soo Do would like to say a big thank you to all those who helped make it possible;  PURE FM Seychelles for its generous sponsorship of our training camp T-shirts and caps, Vipul Kanumale and Terry Sandapin for their generosity and help as always, The Mountain Rise Hotel team for taking care of Master Amorim during her stay here, the Police Academy for trusting us, Sensei Allen Joubert, Mr Ah-Weng, Sandra Sabury from the Red Cross Society of Seychelles for sharing her time and experiences with us, Hans Aglae, Mr and Mrs Roch Vidot, Larissa & Didier for meeting us half way, Mrs Toussaint for her help,  Kathleen Payet and her team from Air Seychelles for their excellent service delivery, O’ Seychelles Pty Ltd and France Hoareau for that last minute emergency!

A special thank you goes to the Minister for Social Affairs, Community Development and Sports Vincent Meriton, the National Sports Council, the Seychelles Karate Federation (SKF) and SBC Sports.

Thank you to the NTSD black belt team, although small for now, working together makes it all happen, to all the students who took part and the parents who continue to believe in us.

Tang Soo!!