News- 2008 Archive - Articles listedby most recent...
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November 11th 2008 AIMAA at the Irish Fighter Charity Challenge Saturday the 8th October 2008 saw the AIMAA support the Irish Fighter Charity Challenge. The event was organised by Rob Corwell (editor, Irish Fighter) and Roy Baker (Bushido Martial Arts). The event was hosted to raise money for a long time Shotokan instructor, Bill Creasey. Bill has devoted his life to martial arts and helping students from all walks of life to benefit from martial arts.
Bill, very sadly, has cancer. His wife has died from cancer. Now, his son has cancer. AIMAA were delighted to be invited to the event and support Bill at this delicate time in his life. Over €4000 was raised to help with therapies and cancer treatment. Bill took to the floor on the evening to thanks all those involved in making the evening happen.
AIMAA has always stood by the ethos of uniting all styles of martial artists, the Irish Fighter Charity Challenge should what can be achieved when this happens.
It was with humble courtesy and integrity that AIMAA stepped up to the challenge, even though we were fighting in an ITF style category, which wouldn't be our usual fighting style.
Again, thanks to all involved in organising the event.
James Farrell
Airport School of Cho's TKD
PR Officer AIMAA
Pictured left to right: Sean O'Donnell, Daniel Farrell, Silvano Viti, Ruth Ross, James Farrell, Fabio Viti,
Andrew Butler and Aeneas O'Connor
October 23rd 2008 Master Peter Byrne hosting a seminar in the ALSAA Sports Complex At Master Darcy's request, we are delighted to announce that Master Byrne will be hosting a seminar in the ALSAA Sports Complex (Dublin Airport) on Nov 30th at 11.30am. This seminar is open to all styles and associations.
Article courtesy of James Farrell.
Hires PDF of poster available for download here
October 14th 2008 AIMAA Vs Global & Kick boxing 2008 This Saturday night (18th October) will be the AIMAA Vs Global & Kick boxing selection team event. Venue is Crumlin Boxing club, Co Dublin. It is just behind the local crumlin swimming club. Door open 7pm, first fight 7.30pm. Cost is 10 Euro s per person.
There are 20 plus fights and i am sure this will be a great nite for all. We (the Team) really need all your support so please come along on sat and support AIMAA Team.We need some Judges from AIMAA if you can please tell me by txt if you would jugde some fights.
Looking forward to seen you all,
Tell all your students !
October 5th 2008 Master Darcy with AIMAA Scotland director, Master John Kirkwood
Pictured is Master Darcy with AIMAA Scotland director, Master John Kirkwood and local instructors Declan Dermody, James Farrell and Gerry Long. Also training were students from HQ, AIMAA Scotland, AIMAA Navan Road and AIMAA Rolestown.
Winter 2008 Testings & Events updates:
Courtesy of James Farrell - Airport TKD
12th October Master Darcy taking class in Wexford.
13th October
Grandmast Cho's Birthday.
AIMAA Europe would like to wish Grandmaster Cho a very happy birthday!
16th October
Testing in Nenagh Cho's TKD.
18th October
Master Darcy travelling to Scotland for their National Black Belt testing - good luck to all.
18th October
AIMAA V's Global Kickboxing fight night in Crumlim Boxing club.
26th October
All association forms to be submitted at HQ.
30th November
11.30am till 1.30pm. Master Byrne self defense seminar in the ALSAA sports complex - Dublin Airport. Contact James Farrell for details on 086 6776206.
14th December
National Black Belt testing. Venue to be confirmed.
September 30th 2008 A.I.M.A.A. Summer Camp July 2008 - Black Belt Testing Florida
Students from Rolestown, Shankill, & Caherconlish in Ireland tested along with students from Scotland and Florida under Grand Master Hee IL Cho, Master Philip Ameris, Master John Darcy, Master Peter Byrne & Master John Kirkwood. It was a great testing and everyone did extremely well. Congratulations!
September 26th 2008 Best Of The Best Open Championships
From left to right, Paul Healy (AIMAA), Master Pat White (TAI), Declan Dermody (AIMAA), and Andrew Butler (AIMAA) at this years Best Of The Best Open Championships in The Roadstone Club on Saturday the 20th of Sept. Paul was present to Referee and also had students participating, while Declan and Andrew were there to assist Master White as Referees and for Judging. Apologies for the low quality picture.
Master White is a long time friend of Master John Darcy, the European Director of AIMAA, and Master Darcy was delighted that AIMAA Instructors were there to assist Master White on the day.
August 15th 2008 A IMAA Wexford Summercamp! Pictured here are members of Cho's Tae Kwon Do Wexford who attended the summer camp day out in Dunmore East events included canoeing, rock climbing and archery.
August 12th 2008 A IMAA Ireland National Championships The AIMAA Ireland National Championships are being held on the 27th/28th September 2008 in the ALSAA Sports Complex beside Dublin Airport. This is an 'open invite' competition event, so feel free to forward it to any instructors from any style which may like to enter.
The entry for the first two family members is €30 for one or all events. 3rd, 4th, 5th etc. family members are half price of €15. PLEASE send entry forms for families together, otherwise they will be treated separately and will be charged €30 each. There will be no charge for spectators.
July 14th 2008 Wexford Tae Kwon Do Black Belt Testing 17 members from Cho's Tae Kwon Do Wexford that attended the AIMAA black belt testing in Laragh on the 29th of June.
July 7th 2008 Rolestown Annual Camping Trip The Rolestown Annual Camping trip is taking place this August the 22nd – 25th to Achill Island. For all details please contact Declan Dermody directly on
087 2463775. All AIMAA members and friends are welcome...
July 3rd 2008 AIMAA Summer Black Belt Testing. June 29th 2008 Even with the preparation being long and arduous, this testing still saw students being pushed to the extremes of mental and physical perseverance under the watchful eyes of Master John Darcy (AIMAA European Director), Master Peter Byrne (AIMAA Ireland Director) and Master John Kirkwood (AIMAA Scotland Director)
The day started of with high-red belts testing for black belts. The students started off with the traditional Tae Kwon Do patterns, displaying focus, coordination and power. Next up was the fighting techniques ranging from white belt to black belt curriculum. Students were then paired off for self defense techniques including striking from different ranges and take downs.
Next up were the black belts, some of whom were testing for 2nd, 3rd, 4th & 5th degree black belts. Starting off with some powerful displays of patterns, this was lining up to be an exciting testing. The patterns were then followed by self defense techniques and take downs with the emphasis being on effectiveness. These techniques displayed some explosive moves and showed how dynamic the body can be!!!
The black belts were then pushed hard with Grandmaster Cho's fighting curriculum. This included short range hand techniques, mid range hand/kick combinations and full range jumping & spinning kicking techniques.
Next up, all students were put through their paces by guest instructor, Mr. Jimmy Courtney. Mr. Courtney, a highly recognised boxing and kickboxing coach ran all students through some really effective boxing combinations with a great emphasis on movement and cover.
Next up was the free sparring. The displays ranged from some explosive kicking combinations to some hard hitting boxing combinations. The stamina involved to keep going (after everything mentioned above) was intense, yet the perseverance and indomitable spirit prevailed.
The physical section of the testing finished up with some explosive board breaking. Some of the junior students gave a great display of jumping techniqes (over bodies!!!) and carving through the boards. The breaking finished up with the senior students displaying power breaking through stacks of boards, hand and elbow breaking, precision round house breaking and 'free-held' spinning speed breaking.
The testing finished up with the students talking about the history of their art, their goals, their motivation and the life benefits of Grandmaster Cho's Tae Kwon Do. Under the guidance of Grandmaster Cho (still training hard in his late 60's), we are extremely lucky in an age of 'quick fixes' to have an martial arts ICON to emulate. Grandmaster Cho has shown that Tae Kwon Do, unlike most sports, is a way of life that benefits 'grandchildren to grandparents' . A family that kicks together, sticks together!!! For pics of the testing please visit www.aimaaeuropehq.com
Just a quick word of thanks to Mr. Paul Healy for hosting the event, to Ms. Quintella Walsh & Mrs. Miriam Fahey for their organisation and to Mr. Gerry Long & Mr. Jimmy Courtney for calling out techniques.
James Farrell
Tesing for 4th Degree Black Belt
AIMAA Europe
June 17th 2008 Airport Belt Testings Saturday the 31st May saw the second of three colour belt testings to be held this year in the Airport School of Cho's Tae Kwon Do. The day started off with the Airport Panthers (4-7 year olds) testing for their orange stripe. They had great fun, worked hard and earned their belts well. The Panthers testings run on the eight basic skills of teamwork, fitness, discipline, memory, coordination, control, balance & focus.
May 19th 2008 Rolestown TKD - One Step Competition Master Darcy held another very successful One Step Self Defence Competition; it was hosted this year by Mr. Peter Connell in his Clontarf School of Cho's Tae Kwon-Do.Competitors from Scotland and Ireland took part and a very comical but effective self defence demonstration by Master John Kirkwood and his students was performed.
May 14th 2008
New website launched!
Hello all! - and a BIG welcome to the new incarnation of AIMAA Ireland | Europe HQ!
I'd like to thank everyone within AIMAA who helped me get this project organised - special mentions to
Padraig Meagher, James Farrell & Declan Dermody.
If you've any comments / suggections / feedback on the new build - please feel free to email me.
Same goes for contact information for Irish schools on our contact page and links page.
May 12th 2008
Master Kirkwood Trip 2008 We were fortunate to have had the opportunity to have Master John Kirkwood take a seminar in Rolestown Hall for AIMAA Ireland, catering for the Eastern Coast Cho's Tae Kwon-Do schools. He gave a sweat-inducing 2 hour seminar followed by another hour of plyometric stretching techniques. Adults and Children alike found it to be an excellent seminar and we all very much look forward to another one soon.
May 2nd 2008 Rolestown TKD - Richie Storey We were very pleased in Rolestown to have had the senior student of Mr. Gerry Long available to us to show us the most modern muscle building and strengthening techniques. On the night in question he specialised in “Core Muscle” strengthening and flexibility. Richie is at present studying as a Sports Injury Specialist, and my students thought that he gave one of the best guest trainer classes in recent times, so much so that one of my students commented that he should do at least one class per week for us in the future. Many thanks to Richie and we look forward to his next visit.
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April 29th 2008
Roles of instructors article
James from Airport TKD Dublin presents a very interesting article here. The graphic includes the interpretations, Aims, Pledge, Principles, Roles of instructors and some basic Korean.
April 29th 2008
Airport TKD - Testing Next colour belt testing in the Airport is Saturday the 31st May at 3.30pm. (Tea and sandwiches with Master Darcy/Master Byrne at 3pm) Black belt workout class is from 1-2pm (shorts, tshirts & gloves). All black belts and instructors welcome, and I promise I won't use the 80's music this time!!!
March 27th 2008 Master Kirkwood makes ya JUMP, JUMP! Saturday the 8th (Limerick) and Sunday the 9th (Dublin) of March saw the AIMAA Ireland students treated to a visit by AIMAA Scotlands Master John Kirkwood. The seminars were based on a two hour session on explosive speed for sparring and then a one and a half hour plyometrics session.
The sparring session was fantastic with the emphasis on explosive movement for basic, and very effective, techniques rather than trying to perform advanced techniques. All angles, approaches and defensive movements were covered with great detail. The seminar then progressed onto combinations which, as a fighter, are extremely hard to to defend against, thus making them very effective. Another area that was covered was efficiency of energy and movement, with an emphasis on active rests to keep the CV system working fluidly.
The second half of the seminar concentrated on plyometrics to develop explosive speed from a standing possition rather than relying on momentum. Now, I've been fortunate enough to coach plyometrics before in various other sports from beginners to National level but I've never had a workout like this. Master Kirkwood made it look easy as he exploded from one technique to another, clearly demonstrating how he has developed serious muscle tone and muscle maturity. Techniques ranged from short explosive movements to full range bounding movements, which left every part of the body pumped
It was fantastic to see all the instructors and students training hard, side by side, and really enjoying the buzz of pushing each other mentally as well as physically. By all accounts, both seminars were extremely beneficial to all forms of fighters and everyone in AIMAA Ireland would like to thank Master Kirkwood for a very enjoyable and beneficial seminar.
February 26th 2008 A.I.M.A.A. Traditional Championship
The A.I.M.A.A. Traditional Championships will be held in Irish Wheelchair Association Complex,
located in Clontarf, Dublin 3 on Sunday April 20th 2008, starting at 1pm. The event will be a competition judging the disciplines of Patterns, Team Patterns and One Step Techniques.
More info available for download here (in PDF format)
January 31st 2008 AIMAA Scotland Nationals 2008
The AIMAA Scotland Nationals 2008 will be held at on May 10th & 11th at the Blantyre Sports Centre.
Please refer to links below for further information: (in PDF format)
Details for the Summer camp 2008 are as follows: To be held at the Champions Sports Complex, Orlando Florida. Dates: July 14th - 18th 2008. More deatils to follow soon...
See early low resolution flyers for tournament here and here
January 21st 2008 Interview with Irelands Taekwondo Legend Master John Darcy - Martial Edge Magazine
Martial Edge : How many members does AIMAA currently have?
Master John Darcy : It has 2,000 members in Ireland, from beginners to black belts.
Martial Edge : How did AIMAA come about?
Master John Darcy : In the early 80's it had a different name, which was set up by our Grandmaster Hee Il Cho. But then a number of people wanted Hee Il Cho to leave. A vote was cast and I was one of the only people to stick with him. He told me afterwards that he knew he could rely on my support. Afterwards I started setting up branches of AIMAA all over the country. Now it is one of the biggest Tae Kwon Do associations in Ireland. Grandmaster Cho is the head of AIMAA World-Wide. He is one of a kind.
Martial Edge : He still teaches, doesn't he?
Master John Darcy : Seven days a week. Now he is nearly 65.
Martial Edge : Most people would be making plans for retirement!
Master John Darcy : Not Grandmaster Hee Il Cho. He told me he prefers hitting punch bags to golf balls. Even other Koreans cannot understand why he trains so hard. I have total loyalty towards him, like Po-Un to his King.
Master Darcy refers here to the Tae Kwon Do pattern of Po-Un, which celebrates the poet Chong Mong Chu whose poem I would not serve a second master though I might be crucified a 100 times represents his absolute and unconditional loyalty to his Lord, the ruler of Korea .
Throughout the interview Master Darcy emphasized the close relationship Tae Kwon Do has with his life. As he admits, he has dedicated his life to it but is emphatic that it should not only be about kicking and punching. It should also have an intellectual and spiritual component. Without these aspects Tae Kwon Do becomes reduced to kickboxing.
Martial Edge : How does AIMAA differ from other forms of Tae Kwon Do?
Master John Darcy : AIMAA respects the old traditions and patterns of the Martial Arts, but also incorporates techniques that would be useful in a street fight situation- grappling, tackling people by the legs to bring them down, elbow attacks? These improve sparring and people's ability to defend themselves. Ireland is a more violent place than ever before, I've had many policemen and security guards come to my classes to learn how to better defend themselves.
Martial Edge : Next week the AIMAA nationals that you have had a large hand in organizing are going ahead. How are preparations going?
Master John Darcy : It's going ok, we have 400 hundred entrants in our Open competition. We like to keep it open so that we can learn from other martial arts. It stops us from becoming too narrow in focus.
January 19th 2008 Cho's Tae Kwon-Do Scotland Annual Tournament
Cho's Tae Kwon-Do Scotland will hold their annual tournament on the 16th of March in Greenock, Scotland.
All are welcome. Check out www.inverclyde-taekwondo.com for more details.
RELEVANT TOURNAMENT DOCUMENTATION FOR DOWNLOAD:
(Microsoft Word required to view)
January 16th 2008 Attention all Instructors - Message from Master Cho
Master Cho has requested the following form to be completed by all instructors. The completed file along with the association forms should be sent to Quintella Walsh every October.
The AIMAA Scotland National Championships are on this coming May the 10th and 11th . All welcome. See Master John Kirkwood's website at AIMAA Scotland, for further details...
Congratulations to Hazel Davis on receiving her First Degree Black Belt, she has worked hard over the past four and half years and she is truly deserving of this result.
January 9th 2008 Master Darcy, John Darcy Jnr & the Dublin GAA team
The Dublin Team recently completed an off-season training term with Master Darcy and John Darcy Jnr. Their training included heavy conditioning sessions, pad work and fight training. Best of luck to the Dublin GAA team in the upcoming season from AIMAA Ireland
