By Kristy Hitchens aka The Mortal Mouse
Photos By Taylha Burgess – Taylha Burgess Photography.

It hasn’t been done for more than six years. We couldn’t wait for the chance to bring back some old-school fun to the club. And judging by the sheer number of cheers, smiles, laughing, comradery and general happiness that filled the Australind Senior High School Gymnasium on Sunday, June 10, WE DID IT!

Taekwondo Central’s Family Fun & Challenge Day was something we, the leadership group, will remember for a long time to come. We hope our Members will too.

Right from the outset, our 4m inflatable taekwondo kicker, grabbed everyone’s attention and announced participants and spectators alike were in for a great day. We kicked off the fun with a ‘Bring a Friend’ training session where participants rotated through three stations: kicking, self-defence and mixed drills. Whole club events like this are pretty special since they give us all the opportunity to come together and share in our mutual enjoyment of Taekwondo.

But there is something even MORE special about having the chance to share that enjoyment with friends and family who may not have seen this side of you before. It was truly heart-warming to see mums, dads, sisters, brothers and friends jump in and have a go, inspired by the martial artists of all ages in their lives.

The arrival of Donny the Dragon really helped lift the party atmosphere of the day and he proved a big hit with our littlest members…..and even some of the bigger ones! With our classes running in Bunbury, Eaton and Australind, the lunchtime sausage sizzle provided a great opportunity for families from all of our operating locations to come together and socialise.

On a generally wet and windy day it was an absolute stroke of luck to see the sun come out for our lunch break. A massive thank you must be sent out to our sausage sizzle team of Black Belt Tahlia Gowland, mum Deanna and Ajana’s mum Michelle who were under the pump but made sure everyone was taken care of as quickly as possible.

Our Agility Course kicked off the Challenge aspect of our big day and it was obvious hearts were literally melting around the room as our tiny Dragonfly members threw themselves into the competition. Cheered on by the audience and our instructors it was fantastic to see all of our Members enjoy the boost in confidence that comes from competing in a fun and supportive environment with their friends.

The sense of achievement too was real when our stunning Gold, Silver and Bronze medals with Taekwondo Central emblem were handed out. The flying kick competition was another magnificent sight for our spectators as some of our Members literally blew us away with their agility.

Gladiator Battles provided plenty of laughs before the atmosphere became more serious again for our Patterns Competition, showcasing yet another wonderful aspect of the training we undertake at Taekwondo Central.

Recognition must be given to Head Instructor Ajana Plunkett who took on the bulk of the massive amount of work involved in organising a day like this.

Thank you to the below and everyone who contributed towards making our first Family Fun & Challenge Day in YEARS such a wonderful success. We promise we won’t leave it so long again for our next special club event.

Instructor John Crawford

Leadership Team Kelly Rowe, Luke Crane, Trinity Best, Maddi Booth, Kelly Platts, Mollie Swarbrick

Black Belt Rebecca Collis for help with setting up and the agility circuit

Ajana’s sister Taylha – our event photographer

And Black Belt Gary Veljacich…but we can’t tell you why we have to thank Gary. It’s a secret!

A Special Congratulations to our top performers of the day

Trinity Best
2 Gold – 1 Silver – 1 Bronze

Chris Charry –
2 Gold – 1 Bronze

Alex Cunningham –
2 Gold – 1 Bronze

Kai Shapkaris –
2 Gold

Full Medal results Can Be Found Further Down This Page

AGILITY CIRCUIT – ALL DIVISIONS

Gold

• ·         William Cunningham
• ·         Daniel Platts
• ·         Noah Weggelaar
• ·         Alex Cunningham
• ·         Ryley Stranger
• ·         Bianca Stranger
• ·         Kai Shapkaris
• ·         Chris Charry
• ·         Deagan McDonald

Silver

• ·         Jebb Collins
• ·         Samuel Collins
• ·         Bruce Martinac
• ·         Annika Best
• ·         Rebecca Buhlmann
• ·         Joey Platts
• ·         Toby Ballantyne
• ·         Anthony North

Bronze

• ·         Eric Buhlmann
• ·         Abel Godwin
• ·         Dimitri Perez
• ·         Trinity Best
• ·         Madison Riches
• ·         Christopher Cunningham
• ·         Lucas Hitchens
• ·         Coya Brown

FLYING KICK – ALL DIVISIONS

Gold

• ·         Alex Cunningham
• ·         Rhiannon Maris
• ·         Kai Shapkaris
• ·         Chris Charry
• ·         Lucas Hitchens
• ·         Trinity Best

Silver

• ·         Daniel Platts
• ·         Bruce Martinac
• ·         Julian West

Bronze

• ·         Joey Platts
• ·         Jaxon Godwin
• ·         Noah Weggelaar
• ·         Anthony North
• ·         Toby Ballantyne
• ·         Dylan Scott
• ·         Deagan McDonald
• ·         Annika Best
• ·         Ashton English

GLADIATOR – ALL DIVISIONS

Gold

• ·         Abel Godwin
• ·         Sofia Sabatino
• ·         Jaxon Godwin
• ·         Trinity Best
• ·         Madison Riches
• ·         Coya Brown
• ·         Ashton English
• ·         Gary Veljacich

Silver

• ·         Samuel Collins
• ·         Alexandra Martinac
• ·         Alex Cunningham
• ·         Bianca Stranger
• ·         Ryley Stranger
• ·         Toby Ballantyne
• ·         Dylan Scott
• ·         Rebecca Collis

Bronze

• ·         Noah Weggelaar
• ·         Dimitri Perez
• ·         Will Cottam
• ·         Julian West
• ·         Bruce Martinac
• ·         Mollie Swarbrick
• ·         Shonna Charry
• ·         Annika Best
• ·         Deagan McDonald
• ·         Chris Charry
• ·         Christopher Cunningham
• ·         Lucas Hitchens

POOMSAE – PATTERNS

Gold

• ·         Melanie Buhlmann
• ·         Maddi Booth
• ·         Madison  Riches

Silver

• ·         Rebecca Collis
• ·         Trinity Best
• ·         Annika Best

Bronze

• ·         Jacqualine McArthur
• ·         Mollie Swarbrick
• ·         Toby Ballantyne

Please contact us if you won a medal but have not been listed. We  would like all to be recognised for there effort

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By Kelly Platts

ANXIETY. It seems to be a problem suffered by more and more people these days. The worrying part, a lot of these people are actually our kids.

Why, whose to know exactly why. Lifestyle? Diet? Our Education system? Who knows, but it’s here and we need to develop ways to overcome it. Especially for our little ones. The earlier we can teach our kids how to handle the stresses and worries of life, the better off they will be.

We’ve seen it time and time again, parents have read about the benefits of martial arts and they decide to bring their kids along to try a class. Many will love it from the word go and will continue with it for years. Some last a few terms, others only a few lessons. It’s just not their thing, but they tried it!

But then there’s a small number of kids who just won’t give it a go, I suspect they want to, kids are naturally curious. But fear, shyness and anxiety are just too overwhelming and despite all efforts from Mum/Dad and Instructors it just ends in tears.

It is these kids that could actually really benefit the most from what Martial Arts and what Master Justin has to offer them.

Hence the introduction of the “Double Dragons Program”.

A programme specifically designed for these little guys who just need that bit of extra support and attention. In this class Mum or Dad are 100% involved. They’re not sitting on the sidelines. With a parent by their side, often this is all that’s needed to get them going, and what a great bonding opportunity!

Class numbers are capped at a maximum of six, so not only do you get a more personal experience with Head Instructor Master Justin, the overall class feeling becomes a lot less intimidating for the kids.

The Program Is Designed To Improve & Develop

Childs Personal Safety Skills Great For Coordination Give Them A Confident Start Be There To Help Them Progress All Important, An Activity For Both Parent & Child Light to Moderate Exercise For Parent Increase Bonding

We’re really excited to see what this special class can achieve. Master Justin has a truly unique skill with little ones. His kind and gentle manner really gels with our all students, but his gift is without a doubt, best applied to the youngest members. We know there will be some really positive outcomes for the students in this class.

But don’t stop there, after experiencing some real successes with the Double Dragons, your child should have the courage and the confidence to take the next step, and by now you will have seen first hand the amazing energy and enthusiasm from Master Justin and the incredible benefits of training in Martial Arts.

Have a think about some of the qualities and skills you want your children to have as they transition from childhood into young adults. We all want them to be successful and in good health, to live long and rewarding lives, yes? In Mind, Body and Spirit!

What are some of the skills that successful people hold, how do they achieve success?

– Mental determination: The drive and desire to push for more.

– Perseverance: The ability to continue to walk forward in the face of defeat or disappointments that come along the way.

– Confidence: A belief in themselves and their ability to achieve what they want.

– Self Control: Understanding success involves some sacrifice.

– Problem Solving & Adaptation: An Extremely important skill that is needed across all areas of life!

– Patience, Integrity and humility. Traits that are invaluable to a successful and well rounded individual.

But there are two aspects to overall health.

One is your physical Health; the other is your mental health.  Without each other in unison, things just don’t run well.

A strong, healthy and fit body will undoubtable help carry them through a successful life.

– Balance: Without it we are pretty much buggered. What’s the one of the first things we lose into our elderly years? Balance! Utilise your muscles, exercise when you’re young and really strengthen your body and core. Your balance will remain with you for A LOT longer than the average person.

– Flexibility: Can you touch your toes? No? Why not? Age is no excuse! But starting early will make the transition into the golden years much easier!

– Muscle tone & Endurance: Good muscle tone promotes good posture, and having the strength to perform many daily activities are vital. Use it or lose it. There is no truer saying. Don’t move, and in years you will have trouble moving. Move more consistently through your life and in years to come you will still be moving!

So now you’ve read it, the benefits of Martial Arts are incredible! Why WOULDN’T you want to give this amazing opportunity and start in life to your kids?

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Pictured here at 43, Master Justin Warren Focuses On Martial Arts For Better Health & Vitality

Bunbury Martial Arts Instructor, Master Justin Warren from Taekwondo Central shares the 5 Crucial Factors To Keep In Mind When Starting Martial Arts For Health

Martial Arts is my life, and it has been since age 16. Taekwondo is my chosen style as I love how quick a kick can render a person defenceless but Ive trained in Jujitsu, Judo, Boxing, Kick Boxing, Eskrima, Brazilian Juijitsu, MMA, Krav Maga and Karate. Being A Full Contact fighter from ages 16 to 35, I ve been on the receiving end of some bad injuries but my sporting victories left a trail of knockouts to many of my opponents. One thing Ive always wanted to keep is my ability to keep training as my age increases. Martial Arts is a great vehicle to travel through life and some key considerations will also help you keep enjoying what your body can do.

I see many of the people I started martial arts with unable to do their art now, be it health, illness or condition, it has kept me thankfull that the style I teach keeps the longevity in your training, keeping you healthy longer. Being active is your number 1 priority to staying healthy. Taekwondo Central gives you a martial art you can learn at your own pace and stay healthy

Stronger Legs
My Grandmother turns 94 in 2018, she is an amazing women. still independant, can drive a car hundreds of km with no trouble to visit her sons. When my Grandother gives health tips, I listen and I have picked up many great ideas  and tips to keeping your youth. I remember sitting down having breakfast with her one morning while she made this birdseed like mixture of grains, seeds and nuts she starts her day off with while her country music played in the background, it something like an old friend to her. While talking about the day ahead, I asked her about her health secrets.

Dont Lose Your Mind & Dont Lose your legs she said, my grandmother likes to walk, she has a mini gym of collected (many ex tv products) that give her a great leg workout, and she is exactly right. Your legs are your base, if they are weak, you whole body is. Its comparable to weak roots holding up a tree. strong legs mean a strong body plus you escape injury from trips & topples. With martial arts training you will built leg strength through stances, kicks, movements & footwork. All of these will also built better balance, but well back up your safety by teaching you how to fall safely and avoid the damage a bad landing can leave you with. Martial Arts builds strong legs

Better Flexability
Greater freedom on movement is something we all want. You like me want less injuries, less restrictions. a good stretching routine will do the job, flexible muscles, joints and ligaments will serve you well. because our martial art teaches you to use your whole body to defend yourself, we stretch all parts, leaving you more limber and able to attempt things a stiff, strained body couldnt. Good stretching keeps your vitality and ability

Better Mind
A strong mind is such a great thing to have, mental strength and mental endurance to push yourself is a great personal skill to have. Co-ordination and Reflexes are greatly improved through martial arts. Confidence and Belief in yourself are crucial for personal development. quick thinking, protective reactions and staying calm under pressure can make a huge difference in the outcome. Dont Loose Your Mind. Its important to keep challenging it and working on the mind-body mastery martial arts can give will do just that. Challenging but achievable Taekwondo Central will keep the mental pathways strong.

Excessive Contact
If your becoming a cage fighter, well you need to do heavy contact but if your after greater health then keep contact down, granted some contact is needed to add realism but excessive head contact isnt good for you and especially not good for your brain. Just look at boxers Mohummed Ali & Freddie Roach, two amazing boxers in their own right but the damage is done and its been through excessive punches to the head. The theory of getting beaten up to learn how to not get beaten up is counterproductive. For the people who have public jobs, dealing with the public with a black eye or swollen lips doesnt help business. For proper self defence, contact is needed but not excessively

Improved Health
Better health is a goal for all of us, If your healthy, what ever you do, youll do it better. So how do you get healthy?So many “experts” tell us so many different things, so how do you decifer what is real and what isnt?
For me, its about looking at your body, what it consists of and what you cant do without. So lets cover basics

Your body cant do without.
1 – Oxygen – So you must exercise, exercise canc ut your chances of early death by half. “1 in every 4 will experience some sort of cancer, if you exercise, that cuts to 1 in 60” – Chet Holmes
2 – Water – So Drink Pure Water, not high sugar drinks
3 – Food – So Make It High Quality (Cut Down On Junk Food)
Click Here for more info on this subject

What Your Body Mainly Consists Of
1 – Protien – Muscles (Thats why we have been given K9 teeth, to eat meat)
2 – Fat – (Your brain is fat, You need fat, but just good quality)
3 – Calcium – Bone, Cartlidge, Tendons are all made from calcium
4 – Water – You body is said to be 60 – 70% water, Thats a no-brainer that we need H2O

I remember the reason I first really getting a love for martial arts, I was always “sporty” and had excelled in many different sports but their was one event that made me really decide to make martial arts my vehicle through life. My first instructor was a Korean Master named Mr Shin Boo Kim. He was one of the Original founders of Taekwondo in Western Australia. Most likely anybody who is 4th Dan Blackbelt or higher around The South West in Taekwondo will owe a thankyou to this korean gentleman. He had a quiet demeaner and never used aggression to solve disagreements. I remember doing a training session with him. He was approaching his 50’s and he stood on one leg, and excecuted an amazing side kick that made a “Snap” noise to it. I thought to myself “Wow, that was awesome and at the age he is. I wanted to be like that. He has passed away now but has left a legacy of Martial arts instructors and students. I also realised, while many activities have a “Use By” date, martial arts doesnt. Its a life art Mr Kim Showed me that and for me thats what it will always be. I will always “Live The Way”

“Its A Disgrace To Grow Old Without Realising What Your Body Is Capable”

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The End of year black belt grading is a daunting task for many a martial artists. There aren’t many things more nerve racking than a physical and mental test in which you are being judged by persons who set a standard.

The wonderful thing is the amazing exhilaration felt after being victorious and gaining that crucial level. What I personally like about the Oh Do Kwan grading is you may not be judged by your own instructor.
This means instructors now need to hold a level in their students and students need to take responsibility for their training.

All students have been training for around 6 months for the examination with 2hr Sunday training sessions, and many hours of kicking, patterns, punch defence, self defence and sparring including a board breaking seminar all did their part in preparing our members in achieving their goal, with some overcoming personal barriers and fears to break through this new attained level

The Grading was marked by 16 Black belts of 4th Dan Black Belt or Higher including our Head Instructor Ajana Plunkett and Master Head Instructor Justin Warren
The Ohdokwan Taekwondo Black Belt Grading had approx. 95 people from both city and country clubs trying for their level,

All students were marked on Patterns, Kicking Combinations, 1 punch counters, 2 punch counters, self defence, knife defence, Taekwondo sparring, Korean kick boxing sparring, and Board breaking.
Congratulation to all and well done. The amount of combined experience, confidence and achievement will really show in our club

The end of year Black Belt Dan Grading had 12 of our members move up the Black belt ladder with

Passing 1st Dan Black Belt

Matthew Bowkley
Trinity Best
Ashlee Stone
Kian Stapleton
Rachel Atkinson

Passing 2nd Dan Black Belt

Maddison Booth
Mollie Swarbrick
Tahlia Gowland
Brooklyn Jauncey
Deacon Malatesta
Declan Higgins
Vanya Possingham

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Taekwondo Centrals Board Breaking Seminar was a great success with a solid turn out

Board Breaking Seminar starts with a good stretch
–

Students were taught the elements that make a successful board break which is a test of Technique, Speed, Power, Accuracy and Follow Through. Board Breaking is a crucial part of Taekwondo Gradings and can be a make or break point in the Taekwondo Black Belt Examination

Kaiden Guiver practises Push Front Kick with Ariana Lloyd

–

Thank you to Grand Master Ross Hartnett from Taekwondo Ohdokwan, we were very fortunate to attain the same boards used at the upcoming Black Belt Grading on November 26th 2017, so this was a rare chance to spend some time getting it to a high level.

Melanie Buhlman smashes a board held by Gary Veljacich

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– Correct Breaking Technique for the main 5 kicks used for board breaking
– Correct board holding position for each kick
– Correct set up procedure for Black Belt Grading
– Using dramatics to elevate the break score

Kelly Platts practises with Rebecca Collis

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We had great feedback from this seminar and wanted to thank

Grand Master Ross Hartnett & Grand Master Carmela Hartnett of Taekwondo Ohdokwan
Kelly Platts for organising delivery of official breaking boards
Paul & Jo Jauncey for organising back up boards (including Cutting) Huge Job – Thanks so very much

 Maddison Booth is all power

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