By Wilfred Pilo
KUCHING, Sept 2: To the general public, martial arts is often associated with powerful punches and kicks, skilful blocks, and swift grapples. It displays sharp reflexes and quick thinking as fighters have to think on their feet to out-manoeuvre and be one step ahead of their opponents.
But to its practitioners, it is more than just a display of physical and mental prowess as martial arts go deeper by penetrating the surface to reveal a strong foundation built by discipline—and Tang Soo Do, an ancient Korean martial art, is no different.
Enthusiastic Tang Soo Do 5th Dan Black Belt Master Kiu Chiong Inn puts on a stern face as he runs around his sweltering ‘do jang’ (gym), correcting his students on how to perform the right punch, block, and kick.
As a martial arts practitioner, it is routine during training to nurture and develop young student members’ skills on these physical moves, as it is crucial to determine whether they have what it takes to pass the test and climb their way up the Gup ranks to coveted black belt.
“The more you practice, the better the person is in the art, similar to the adage ‘practice makes perfect’,” said Kiu.
He shared that once the students have learned and continue practising this Korean self-defence technique, they could also achieve physical fitness that is good for their health and mental states.
“Practicing martial arts techniques would gradually instil discipline that could guide your life. It becomes a philosophy.
“I encourage young people to learn and practice the martial arts; I believe it helps them grow to become better. In our gym, we have many young student members, and I’m glad they are doing well,” he enthused.
Kiu said he is happy that under his teachings, he has developed 12 youths with two stripes black belts holder (second ‘Dan’ ranking) and one three stripes holder (third ‘Dan’ ranking).
“They are all in their twenties and are disciplined and diligent. They are like a family to me. It is Tang Soo Do that motivates me to practice the arts and philosophy in greater depth,” he said.
He also elaborated that Tang Soo Do’s philosophy also believes that no one is perfect and that every practitioner, regardless of their black belt status, wears a midnight blue belt once they achieve a ‘Dan’ ranking.
He added in Korea, black symbolises perfection, but since no one is perfect, the belts for the ‘Dan’ rank are midnight blue.
“Our founder and grandmaster, Hwang Kee, believed that black is a colour to which nothing could be added. So (midnight) blue signifies that a ‘Dan’ holder is still learning. Likewise, so am I,” he said.
Kiu said that to get a higher grade, emphasising discipline is of utmost importance, or else it would be difficult for practitioners to go far.
“I have more than 200 students now. Some have dropped out to further their studies, but I am happy I was able to instil some discipline in them that they could use in the future,” he said.
Twenty-two-year-old university student and Tang Soo Do third Dan black belt holder Darrell Thum felt grateful that he started practising martial arts when he was eight years old.
“The route to this rank took me 14 years of continuous learning and discipline,” he said.
Thum opined that Tang Soo Do taught him determination and discipline, which helped him build character and face challenges.
“I believe that by practising Tang Soo Do, you can get physically and mentally fit. For me, it helps as a student of higher learning,” he said.
Thum also added that he is qualified to teach Tang Soo Do, which allows him to continue to learn the martial arts and its philosophy.
“I have a long way to go in Tang Soo Do, but for now, it helps me in my life and my studies. I thank Master Kiu for his guidance and what Tang Soo Do has instilled in me.
“The martial art teaches it is ‘The Way Of The Hands’, but to me personally, it teaches the way forward in our life,” he said. — DayakDaily
