United States Taekwondo Grandmasters Society Peace Award 2013

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1 United States Taekwondo Grandmasters Society Peace Award 2013 George Vitale is a Taekwondo Senior Master and was the head of the New York State Police security detail in New York City for both New York State Governors George Pataki and Governor Mario Cuomo. He was nominated to the Taekwondo Hall of Fame (Lifetime Achievement Award). He successfully navigated the politics of North Korea, South Korea, Japan, the United States, and China, to bring the historic first group of North Koreans to tour the United States, in an exhibition of North Korean Taekwondo. He came to national attention with the New York World Trade Center disaster on In 2009, he was Inducted into the Official Taekwondo Hall of Fame (Lifetime Achievement Award). He has successfully navigated the politics of North Korea, South Korea, Japan, the United States, and China, to bring the first group of North Koreans to tour the United States in an exhibition of Taekwondo. Master George Vitale receiving his honorary Doctorate Degree in Taekwon-do in 2011 in North Korea. Master Vitale most recently received the United States Taekwon-Do Grandmasters Society Peace Award he was Awarded this great honor in NJ April 2013 US Taekwondo Grandmasters Society, Dr He Young Kimm, Grandmaster Mounir Ghrawi, Grandmaster Richard Chun, Grandmaster Woo Jung Jin, Taekwondo ITF WTF. Congratulations Master Vitale on a well-deserved award and recognition, a great tribute to a great man.

2 W-Shape Block (San Makgi) This technique has dual functions: one is used against either a foot or hand attack to the philtrum and areas above, and the other is to strengthen the leg muscles. The outer forearm and knife-hand are the principal tools, though occasionally a reverse knife-hand or inner forearm is used. Although the sitting and walking stances are mostly used, parallel, close, one-leg and X-stances are also employed. The sitting, parallel, close and one-leg stances are used against the attack either from front or side, whereas the walking and X-stances are only for the side. Dip the elbows slightly below the shoulder at the moment of the block.

3 NZ Prime Minister and Special Needs Taekwon-Do Director Mr. Ben Evans at a first Special Needs Taekwon-Do demonstration in Hawkes Bay April 30th.Ben created a manual to help Instructors set up Special Needs Taekwon-Do classes. Mr. Ben Evans is doing some inspirational programs and developments with Special Needs Students - teaching them Taekwon-Do and he started this while in High School at 16 years old. Now he wants to take it nationally and globally. Mr. Evans was the first to integrate Special Needs into mainstream Taekwon-Do training and both regional and national championships. Ben Evans and Anton Randell co-wrote Because I Can as a teaching manual for taekwondo instructors who tutor special needs children, after Evans began teaching the sport to kids with disabilities in The 22-year-old began teaching special needs at Havelock North High School initially to just seven students but he witnessed first-hand the many inspirational stories that accompanied his work. Now he has five classes throughout Hawke's Bay and says many more parents and students contact him about wanting to get involved in the martial art. Mr. Evans stated the most satisfying aspect of his teaching was seeing the changes and development in his students." A parent came and told me their son couldn't ride a bike, and now he can because taekwondo has helped them."

4 The New Zealand world champs representative said the sport gave his students added energy, focus and fitness which they had never had before. "It becomes a part of their lives," he said. "I wanted to help the community the best way I could and this was the best way to start out." In 2011 he travelled to Korea to talk to the International Taekwondo Federation (ITF) about its involvement in the special needs community and gain support for a Special Olympics bid. "So far we have seven countries on board - there are a total of 127 ITF countries and we want to get as many of them involved as possible," he said. Randell became involved when he learned of the good-natured work Mr Evans was doing. He said he wanted to help the book gain exposure in the global taekwondo audience. "Most of the research we did was for New Zealand, then we realized how global it was becoming, so we are now trying to give it some relevance in a global market." Mr Evans said his goal right from the start was always to get the sport into the Special Olympics. On a recent visit to Hawke's Bay, Prime Minister John Key was given a demonstration by Mr. Evans and some of his students. While in Korea he gave a speech to ITF president and International Olympic Committee member Dr. Chang Ung. "He was completely supportive of the idea and hoped one day there would be a special needs taekwondo world champs," Mr Evans said. His groundbreaking foresight and intuitiveness has affected special needs people, their families and Taekwon-Do in a very positive manner. Excerpts from Hawes Bay TODAY

5 If not for the actions of a man heading to a class, more than a home could have been lost in a fire yesterday morning. Tyler Brady, a 21 year old from Algonac, was driving northbound on M-29 shortly after 6:30. He saw what he thought was a lot of smoke coming from a chimney in the area of Francis Street. As he continued, he thought it just didn t look right and turned his car around. When he arrived at the residence at 5862 North River Road, he discovered the house was on fire and there was heavy smoke coming from the northeast part of the home. He began to pound on the door and tried to get inside, but the door had a deadbolt lock. He then ran to a pair of homes neighboring the house on fire, knocked, but got no response. He ran back to the home that was ablaze and found a sliding door that was unlocked. A neighbor, Katie...Hill, came up to him and said there was an elderly wheelchair bound woman in the home, as well as a 20 year old woman and her infant child, who lived upstairs. Hill also called 911. Brady and Hill went into the smoke filled house, where Brady was able to locate the elderly woman, who was sleeping in her bed. He was able to get her into her wheelchair and took her to the entrance of the sliding door. Hill was able to locate the other woman, who was also sleeping. The woman ran upstairs and got here baby. They were both able to get out without injury. Deputy Rachelle Baysinger arrived at the house and was able to help Brady get the woman in the wheelchair through the door and to safety. She was uninjured. Marine City Fire Department arrived a short time later and extinguished the fire. Marine City Police and Tri-Hospital EMS also assisted at the scene of the blaze. By: St. Clair County Sheriff's Office

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7 In the memory of our Founder General Choi Hong Hi, the International Taekwon-Do Federation in Korea is launching a new project that aims to honor forever the greatest gift, of Taekwon-Do, that was given to the world by its founder. General Choi Hong Hi's, Taekwon-Do has brought together millions of people throughout the world regardless of religion, political views or nationality and promotes noble values to old and young generations. General Choi Hong Hi Park in the cradle of Taekwon- Do, Korea is our appreciation to the founder and will strive to continue the his dream of returning and strengthening Taekwon-Do to its birth place as well as to spread Taekwon-Do throughout the World. General Choi Hong Hi Park will be in charge of funding charity programs and projects, that will mainly target Taekwon-Do members from economically disadvantaged countries. It well also building an orphanage in the Park that will provide a high quality broad education and Taekwon-Do training to many young orphans who may become great ambassadors of Taekwon-Do in the future. Moreover, the Park will offer a discounted price holiday niche for all Taekwon-Do friends and families who decide to enjoy the beauty and attractions of this volcanic island. The General Choi Hong Hi Park through its design will merge the tradition and culture of Korea with Taekwon-Do and the modern world. The design of General Choi Hong Hi Park in Jeju Island will be a blend of oriental architecture and a modern design that will create an atmosphere of mysterious ancient Korea and at the same time will provide comfortable living conditions for the residents and guests. The whole property will be protected by an elevated stonebamboo fence with 4 major gates facing East, West, South and North. The Southern gate will be the main gate of the Park and will face the sea front. This gate will lead also to a jetty with boats and other sailing equipment utilized by the Park personnel, residents and guests.

8 Entering through the main gate the visitors will first perceive a large monument of the founder of Taekwon- Do in a posed technique or posture. The monument will be sculpted from the volcanic rocks that are a common material for Jeju Island. Further up (the ground will elevate from the sea level up), in the middle of the Park there will be a large, multi-story building accommodating the World Taekwon-do Center, offices and large training/entertaining area with high quality, well equipped dojangs. This area will have the capability of being converted to a larger place for competition, shows, demonstrations or entertainment when necessary. It will also accommodate the ITF Scientific Research Committee offices, multimedia rooms for video conferences and conference calls. On the highest part of the Park, a shrine will be built to commemorate our founder s work. A small museum attached to the shrine will feature General Choi s life and his efforts in the creation of Taekwon-Do as well as a documentary in regard to the building of the General Choi Hong Hi Park. A souvenir shop in the museum will provide visitors an opportunity to buy unique gifts for friends and family. Located in close proximity to the Western gate will be a guest house that will provide modern and comfortable accommodation for Taekwon-Do visitors as well as for staff and other guests. The guest house will provide all necessary facilities for a comfortable stay at the park. Attached to the guest house will be a restaurant(s) that will serve traditional Korean cuisine as well as western food and beverages. On the Eastern side, there will be a sport clinic with massage, physiotherapy, Korean style sauna/spa that can be used by Park residents and guests as well as the local community. In a close proximity to the Clinic there will be a shop where guests or visitors can rent or purchase doboks and/or Korean traditional Hanboks. It will be advised for all Taekwon-Do visitors and guests to wear these traditional outfits while residing in the Park. The Northern part of the Park will be designated for charity work that will consist of an Orphanage and classrooms for the orphanage residents as well as a playground. The residents of the orphanage will be provided with accommodation and nurture, education, including school curriculum with an extensive languages program and an intensified Taekwon-Do training regime. General Choi Hong Hi Park will provide this exceptional support to the orphans to give these disadvantaged children an opportunity for better lives. When they have completed their education in the General Choi Hong Hi Park the graduates will be given the opportunity to become highly qualified ambassadors for Taekwon-Do around the world. The area alongside the fence surrounding the Park will provide an obstacle course that will be utilized as a part of the outdoor training program. The landscaping in the Park will include traditional vegetation, waterfalls, gardens, and laneways that will offer an environment conducive to both training and relaxation.