Sunday 13, March 2005, the Italian Hapkido Association decided to invite the Italian Branch of the World Hwa Rang Do® Association to the first Italian Open Tournament for Traditional Korean Martial Arts.  Instructor Marco MattiucciI selected the representatives from the HRD/TSD clubs of Rome and Genoa and started toward Alessandria, a city in the northern part of Italy where the event took place.

Mauro, Francesco, Luca and Giuseppe represented Hwa Rang Do and all the other were Tae Soo Do students.

Even though Instructor Mattiucci wanted to compete as well, the event was only for students and not Masters/Instructors.  So, with some disappointment Instructor Mattiucci had to remain on the sidelines as a coach as his students fought on.  The other martial artists and spectators of the event looked at our HRD/TSD students as though they were strange animals.  They were not able to understand the discipline of the students and the bowing technique.  They all thought that our Italian HRD/TSD family were just some weird people without any possibility to compete, let alone win…

There were many competitors, some of them representing Tae Kwon Do, Hapkido (3 or 4 styles…), Tang Soo Do, Viet Vo Dao, and some other styles of Kung Fu, etc.

Mauro, Francesco and Giuseppe, Diego participated in the self-defense competition.  Mauro and Francesco walked out in front of the silent, reluctant crowd, as the first competitors of the first competition of the day.  The tension was heavy, but as they unleashed their first combinations, the audiences went wild, bursting into thunderous applauses.  After them it was Giuseppe and Diego with an even greater reception, winning the hearts of the initially sceptical crowd.  “After the first competition, a lot of Masters from other styles came to me to say, ‘I have never seen such a motivated and inspired group of athletes,’” Ins. Mattiucci adds.

After the demonstration competition they participated in the light contact sparring tournament.  Although everyone did an excellent job, Luca Gelati was unbelievable. He won all the matches with flying kicks, throwing techniques and scissors techniques!

Congratulations and much kudos to our Italian Brothers and Sisters!

FINAL RESULTS:

Self defense in pairs (open hand): 1st classified Giuseppe+Diego (TSD Club Genoa);

Self defense in pairs (open hand): 2nd classified Mauro+Francesco (TSD Club Rome);

Self defense in pairs (with weapons): 2nd classified Loredana+Riccardo (TSD Club Rome)

Light contact with throwing: 1st classified (83 kgs) Luca Gelati (TSD Club Genoa);

Light contact with throwing: 1st classified (60 kgs) Flavio Sciaccaluga (TSD Club Genoa)

and other 3rd and 4th places…

MOST IMPORTANT – Best Overall Club:

1ST CLASSIFIED SCHOOL: HRD/TSD Club of Genoa;

2nd CLASSIFIED SCHOOL: HRD/TSD Club of Rome.

Our Italian Warrior Brothers and Sisters won almost everything and from among the entire group of participants only our family shouted at the top of their lungs, ‘HWARANGDO’ after every match or demonstration. 

“The others did not shout because they really had no ‘Art” to defend.  We are very proud of our art and we were there to show the power of our ‘Art’, not the power of ourselves. They respect us now and the name of Hwa Rang Do has been honoured in Italy.  Thank you sirs, Chief Master Lee and Dojoonim, for being different and maintaining the ‘Way.’  I know it is not easy to stay true to the path, which requires great convictions and sacrifices, but it is precisely for that reason why the people who have never seen Hwa Rang Do were overwhelmed with our Spirit.  We hope that you and Dojoonim are proud of us.  The Italian students have made much sacrifice in preparation for the event and I am very proud of them.  Hwarang Forever! ”

Instructor Marco Mattiucci

WHRDA Italian Headquarters