On 29 April, the first people from Leipzig were able to get to know Taekwondo Defence. A workshop with four lessons took place in the rooms of the adult education centre. These four units were peppered with various topics and other aspects were highlighted in addition to the defence content. Instructor Sebastian Harbach welcomed some participants with previous knowledge of Taekwondo and traditional Tong Il Moo Do. A "Charyot, Kyong-Ye" could not be missing for the representatives of their kind. The majority were then greeted with a friendly "Good day".

The first part was relatively theoretical and began with a small relaxation game. This gave the participants the opportunity to get to know each other by name. This was followed by general explanations about Taekwondo Defence and the differences to the generally known Taekwondo. The next topic was law. Among other things, self-defence, failure to render assistance and the so-called everyman's right were discussed. Smaller practical parts in the first unit made it clear to the participants how to protect themselves from attacks, for example, with a backpack or handbag, how to use their voice against attackers or how to take up a protective position.

Appropriate solutions developed individually

In the second part, the participants were allowed to move around a bit more and try things out. The instructor demonstrated two different defensive and counter-attack actions to the participants. These were practised and the participants were allowed to find out which type is better suited for each individual. Of course, a kick was not to be missed. Sebastian Harbach showed the participants a stop kick, similar to the typical Mirochagi, which was trained at the level of the thigh. During the repetitions of the exercises, various dynamics and questions emerged. But no question was left unanswered and solutions were worked out appropriately for each student. At the end of the second unit, the instructor and his assistant demonstrated how the techniques learned can be extended in combination. This gave the participants a good insight into what the journey could look like should they stay on the ball longer and remain interested in Taekwondo Defence.

Defence with everyday objects

In the last section, the knife had the main part. Special attention was always paid to the fact that the defender should always consider escape as the first option and that techniques shown should only be considered in the case of an impossible escape. An unassisted option was not practised by the participants. Initially, the participants defended themselves against weapons attacks with swimming noodles (batons). However, the instructor raised the question of who already carries a baton or multi-purpose rescue stick in everyday life. Of course, no participant came forward. An "aha" effect was triggered after Franziska, who was present, had a backpack pressed into her hands and defended herself with the same techniques as with the swimming noodle. The backpack was taken away from her and a drinking bottle was given to her as an aid. She was able to successfully defend herself with it as well. Of course, there are more suitable objects in everyday life than swimming noodles to protect oneself in case of weapon attacks in an emergency, explained instructor Basti with a wink. 

At the end of the unit, cuts were discussed. After all, it can also happen that you meet a person with major cuts or that you have an accident with high blood loss. So the participants got the opportunity to deal with a tourniquet. Again, the question was raised as to who keeps such a piece of equipment hidden in their first aid kit. No hand raising was registered. But when asked whether a triangular cloth and pen were present in the vehicle, several reports were received. Lecturer and participants together found out that a tourniquet can also be made from it. At the end of the workshop, it was noticeable that the time had passed furiously for all those present.

After the workshop, the feedback was quite positive. For example, former correctional officer Franziska said she was surprised that she was able to learn new techniques and that some of them were easy to implement and cognitively easy to retain. Participant Conny shared: "We would have liked to have done more sports with you. My mother really enjoyed it too!"

The course was held by Sebastian Harbach, assisted by his wife, Nhung Harbach.

"At Taekwondo Baindt e.V., we have been successfully training children and adults of all ages in a wide range of disciplines for over 30 years," explains Alfred Manthei, adding. "Since our club is a member of the Taekwondo Union Baden-Württemberg (TUBW) and thus also of the German Taekwondo Union (DTU) and the corresponding World Taekwondo Federation (WT), our graduations are recognised worldwide and can be continued at all official Taekwondo clubs." 

Numerous Taekwondoka from Taekwondo Baindt have already successfully participated in national and international competitions. But team spirit and camaraderie are also an important part of the club and are additionally strengthened by other sports activities and joint barbecues.

Since 2022, Taekwondo Baindt has added Taekwondo Defence to its programme. After long weeks and months of training, Alfred Manthei and trainer Frank Bania each passed the examination for 2nd DAN in Taekwondo Defence (TKDD) with Grandmaster Kim Eunseob. "For our club, the new offer is a welcome enrichment", says the first board member. 

Alfred and Frank have already been invited by other clubs in the region to hold a TKDD course there. The two have accepted these invitations enthusiastically. There were 30 to 40 athletes at each event, which was a great challenge for Alfred and Frank. They started with the basic exercises - blocks as well as strikes - and then consolidated these techniques through further drills. Later, they practised defence with a stick and knife. The training was loosened up by playful applied self-defence.

The participants were enthusiastic after two hours and returned to their clubs with new impressions. Every Taekwondo athlete became aware of how effective TKDD is in self-defence. It is easy to learn, realistic and uncomplicated techniques are used and it is suitable for the martial arts enthusiast with or without previous knowledge.

Currently, Defense Tulln, led by Taekwondo Grandmaster Dietmar Brandl, 7th Dan, is the only club in Austria that can offer this martial art. In autumn 2022, the first interested people started training. From this pool of participants, a regularly training group quickly formed. The participants ranged from newcomers without any martial arts experience to Dan holders.

The first five members from the group were allowed to sit for the examination in spring 2023. Thus, with the first graduation examination, another milestone was set for this martial art in Austria. "The fascination is the immediate applicability. There are no frills or grandiose lunges. Short and direct is the motto. It doesn't matter whether it's about dodging an attack, blocking it or countering it," remarks Kevin Bruckner, who has been practising Taekwondo for five years. 

The programme that the test persons have to complete for the 9th Kup examination is impressive: Ten basic strikes, four block variations, five kicks as well as combinations of block and attack movements based on these. In addition, there is the complete falling and rolling school. You really work up a sweat. Especially since here, too, you work with your partner as often as possible.

In addition to the training sessions, a first series of seminars has started.

Once a month, newcomers as well as those with martial arts experience can get to know how Taekwondo Defense works in a two-hour seminar.

Participants even came from Styria and the west of Lower Austria for the first seminar.

The first TKDD Kup examination took place in Neustadt am Rübenberge in November 2022. Alexander Kasanzev (4th Dan Kukkiwon), head trainer at Taekwondo Desant had acquired the 1st Dan TKDD and the instructor and examiner licence at the second Taekwondo Defense (TKDD) licensing seminar in Germany in April 2022 and followed this up with the 2nd Dan TKDD in November. Since the end of April 2022, TKD Desant has been the official location where Taekwondo Defense is taught. Since then, coaches and students have been working hard together on the new skills and preparing for the exam. Not only for the students, but also for the examiners Alexander Kasanzev and Andreas Thiel (4th Dan TKD DTU, 2nd Dan TKDD) this evening was a premiere.  In addition to the hand techniques (defence and attack techniques), the kick and fall school were also tested.

Special attention was paid to the correct execution of the basic techniques and the "twist" movement of the body, which is essential for TKDD. 

All examinees performed convincingly and proudly received their 9th Kup TKDD certificate at the end. The examiners were very satisfied with the performances and with the fact that another step has been taken to establish TKDD in Germany. "We are still doing pioneering work here at the moment. In a few years' time, many more students will take an examination here and for today's examinees, it will be a step forward with the next belt grades. To make this journey together, we are very much looking forward to it!". With these motivating words, examiner Andreas Thiel concluded the successful examination evening.

On 14 June, our technical director Michael Bußmann passed the examination for 2nd Dan TKDD with President Kim Eunseob in Seoul. 

Michael was in the Korean capital for a total of only 3 days - and he used this time well! Besides the examination for 8th Dan Taekwondo at the World Taekwondo Headquarters Kukkiwon and private lessons with coaching legend Ik-Pil Kang, ten intensive hours with President Kim Eunseob were on the programme: "We talked for two hours and Master Kim emphasised once again that he is very pleased that Taekwondo Defence is now also gaining a foothold in Europe. Afterwards we went to dinner and at about 6:30 p.m. it was time to get changed and warm up," reports Michael Bußmann. Together with a Taekwondo Defence trainer and a student as a sparring partner, all the techniques for the first and second Dan were worked through. "Fortunately, I had already thoroughly rehearsed the programme for the 2nd Dan in Germany with my club colleague Josef Loderer. Nevertheless, the drill was hard, with many explanations and repetitions. Master Kim wants everyone to understand and he has an incredible repertoire of techniques himself," says Michael Bußmann. At midnight, everything was perfect and Kim Eunseob gave the final signal. This was followed by a photo shoot of about 30 minutes and finally the good news that Michael had passed his 2nd Dan examination. 

 Congratulations!

After TKDD has been offered at TuS Esingen since January 2022, the first four athletes took up the challenge of their first TKDD examination in June 2022 to prove their newly learned skills. This examination was also historic in the sense that it was the first TKDD student grade examination in the whole of Europe. Overall, all examinees showed a convincing performance. Thus, at the end of the examination, the joy was great to have passed the first TKDD examination for the 9th Kup.

TuS Esingen is one of the first TKDD locations in Europe and the only one in the far north where TKDD is officially taught.

Professor Dr. Frank Steffen, who heads the TKDD department, is one of only four holders of 2nd Dan TKDD outside Korea. He also holds the 4th Dan DTU and Kukkiwon.