Message to All Students who Participated in this Year’s World Championships:
First I want to say how extremely proud I am of our students from West Coast and all across the country, who came to participate in this year’s World Championships.
The competition was fierce, yet with great sportsmanship.
The stands were full of friends, family and Hwa Rang Do fans.
The entire event went off without a single glitch or problem.
The referees, judges, time keeper, organizers and all the Black Sashes did a superb job running the event… and they still competed in all 5 events!
On top of that, today not a single martial arts organization has done what we accomplished this past Sunday. I don’t know if you may understand the magnitude of what happened this past weekend, but many of our students essentially competed in 3, 4 and even 5 tournaments in a single day!
One martial art having 5 tournaments in a single day in weapon forms, open hand forms, sparring, grappling and sword fighting is unheard of…
Hwa Rang Do is truly the WORLD’S MOST COMPREHENSIVE MARTIAL ART and it would not be possible without the hard work and dedication YOU put into your training and preparation.
Like I’ve said many times before, we are a different breed of martial art and our goals are not simply to teach kicking and punching. Our goals are to impact the world in a positive and powerful way.
As a result, the vision which was realized last week in developing our own competitive venue will continue to expand until the growth of Hwa Rang Do is so massive, we will have people knocking down our dojang doors begging to become a part of our competitions, organization and family.
I know at times, I can be a very tough and hard teacher to have. But EVERYTHING I do is done with purpose and the very best intentions for you as an individual, Hwa Rang Do and our society.
I push you because I want you to fulfill your potential.
I bark because at any given moment I know you can be 100 times better than you think you are.
And I will continue to do so, because as your teacher I love you and want the very best for you.
You are all awesome warriors — hwarang!
And next year will be even better and bigger than ever with the addition of a visiting Italian Team and transforming the sport of Kumdo/Kendo with our own unique brand of weapon fighting the world has yet to witness…
Hwa Rang Do will be first!
HWA RANG DO, HWA RANG DO, HWA RANG DO FOREVER!
Your very proud,
Chief Master Taejoon Lee