Colorado Martial Arts News

(Aurora, CO) Taekwondo: A Practical Guide to the World’s Most Popular Martial Art, an ebook that spends most of its time on the Amazon Martial Arts Top 100 Bestseller list, has recently become the first Taekwondo audiobook on Audible/Amazon.com. The book was professionally translated by Adam B Crafter of Need to Know Sound Productions.

Audiobook Cover Image

The book was written by Masters Bill and Katie Pottle, owners of the Korean Academy of Taekwondo in Aurora, CO. Their school has worked with students of all ages and abilities, from 2-year-olds to Olympians to senior citizens.

The audiobook contains sections on kicks, forms, one steps, history and philosophy, mechanics of board breaking, increasing power and speed, sport poomsae, pain theory, deceptive motions, tables of chambers, and much more.

Because Master Bill is also the editor of Colorado Martial Arts News, we won’t be offering a review here. However, the book currently has a rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars on Amazon.

Interested readers may purchase the audiobook here.

(Greely, CO) – Students from the Community College of Aurora Taekwondo program participated in their first ever tournament, which was hosted by UNC on November 2nd. The tournament was the Rocky Mountain Collegiate Taekwondo League fall championships.

The RMCTL has been going for several years, but this was the first time CCA was able to field a team. Three members of the Taekwondo Class (1 credit through the PE Department) went to take on schools such as CU Boulder, Metro State, UNC Greely, and CSU.

From L to R. Satya W, Master Bill Pottle, Damien B, and Jayson Birmingham

The tournament consists of two events, forms and sparring. In the forms event students perform pre-arranged patterns and are judged on technical accuracy, beauty, and power. Jayson Birmingham took silver in Men’s White/Yellow forms and Damien Brown took bronze.

The sparring competition consists of students trying to score points by striking the chest (Beginners Divisions) or head and chest (Jr. Varsity and Varsity Divisions). The CCA competitors gave exciting and close matches, all of which were decided by a single point.

Jayson Birmingham took home CCA’s first ever gold medal in the Men’s C Team Featherweight division, defeating CU Boulder in an exciting match. Birmingham was losing by one point but tied the match at the buzzer, and then was victorious in sudden death.

In the Men’s C Team Welterweight division Damien Brown had a back and forth match in the finals that also went into overtime. However, he came up short and had to settle for silver.

Community College of Aurora Taekwondo logo

Satya Wimbish also took gold in Women’s C Team Featherweight. She stated: “I really love the opportunity to take Taekwondo for credit. It is really fun and my improved focus has definitely benefited me in my other classes.”

Professor Bill Pottle also teaches at Metro State University, and this proved to be a big advantage to CCA as students from MSU came and helped prepare the CCA students for the championships. One of these students, Miguel Garcia had this to add. “I feel that these students are humble, compassionate, and passionate about learning. Because of this, I’m not at all surprised that they did so well. They will only get better from here.”

Damien Brown shows off his silver medal

Because of the nature of the league (Winning Varsity counts much more than winning Beginners, the more competitors you have the more points a school can get) CCA isn’t yet able to go toe to toe with some of the larger and more established programs. Still, this was an important first step and with good enrollment in the Spring 2014 semester and good retention from the fall, 3rd place in the league isn’t out of reach.

(Summit County, CO) – Colorado Martial Arts News had the pleasure to spend a few minutes with Grandmaster Sean Cavins on the occasion of his promotion to 8th degree black belt. Grandmaster Cavins is one of the key figures in the history of martial arts in Colorado. He was elected Colorado State president for COSTA 1998-2002, and also held the office of Vice President, Secretary General and other State Chairmanships. Over the years he has trained and coached many Junior and Senior State and National champions and medalists. Grandmaster Cavins is is still active in teaching students of all ages and abilities. His school Sahn Taekwondo serves Breckenridge, Silverthorne,  and Leadville.

GM West, Dr. Kimm, GM Hodder & Master Borucki

COMANews: Give a brief history of your own training.

GM Cavins: My Martial Arts journey began in the late 60’s. A friend I had not seen in years, knocked on my door and said he was taking TKD and asked if I would partner with him, I said yes.Within the first month of training I knew I would achieve Black Belt and go on to teach classes and eventually have my own Dojang. I was completely and forever hooked. At white belt I was fortunate enough to meet Rick Mitchell, now Grand Master Mitchell, 8th Dan – ITF. We were training 7 days a week and testing together through the mid seventies. We are still training and working together to this day. Thank you my dear friend!

During the summer of 1994, we met Dojunium Dr. Kimm and Grandmaster JR West soon after. We were fortunate enough to host both Grandmasters. What a wealth of information and flawless technique. They were an inspiration for all that attended. Truly gentleman to model your life after. I am so thankful for the guidance of Dr. Kimm, Grand Master West and Grandmaster Hodder. I am honored that I was considered to be worthy of USKMAF 8th Dan. This is a huge honor and a great responsibility! (Editor’s Note: Please see our recent interview with Grandmaster Hodder)

COMANews: Who were the most influential instructors?

GM Sereff 3rd from right, Master McGill 2nd from left. 1st ITF World Championships, Montreal Canada 1974

GM Cavins: My first instructors were Grandmaster Chuck Sereff, Master Larry McGill, and Master Ra Young Chul. The training was very strict and disciplined. I enjoyed this very much. I learned I was studying ITF TKD, and that General Choi Hong Hi was the founder. This was a military art, so the strictness of the training made perfect sense. I have been very fortunate to have strong instructors with great incite to mentor my progress, Grandmaster He-Young Kimm, Grandmaster JR West and Grandmaster Rich Hodder to name a few. I am forever in your debt.

COMANews: Give an interesting anecdote from your early training days.

Master Ra Young Chul Yop Chagi

GM Cavins: I was a green belt at the time, 4 or 5 rows back. Master Ra was the instructor and instructed the class from the front. Thus he did not see that I was not pivoting on my supporting foot when executing Yop Chagi. (side kick) It was rare that he would walk up and down the rows. He did that day. Master Ra yelled, “green belt up front.” “Yes sir” I said, and sprinted up front. He stood me about three feet from the wall and said, “this is how green belt does side kick, very bad.” He demoed my lousy side kick, then said “this is how you do side kick.” Master Ra pivoted 180 degrees on his supporting foot, and with perfect foot shape hit me in the center of my chest. That kick, picked me off the floor and slammed me against the wall, leaving only a red mark the size of my thumb nail on my chest. I didn’t realize until much later that was my first experience of Ki. Master Ra said, “Now green belt understand side kick?” I replied, “ yes sir.” (I did not.) He pointed and said, “Green belt mirror”. That was my place for the next six months. I attribute that learning experience to a decent Yop Chagi today. Master Ra was in the first wave of Korean Instructors sent overseas by General Choi.

COMANews: What changes have you seen in martial arts during your time training?

GM Cavins: Into the seventies I experienced more hard core military style training. At that time there were no females or children’s classes. 70’ ish thinking changed. Why couldn’t females learn martial arts? And children needed to be focused and well disciplined. That was good! The general feeling was women and children should not be trained with the severity that men were trained, therein lies a major turning point in how martial arts classes were conducted.

COMANews: What do you think the future holds for Taekwondo?

GM Cavins: Soon after, WTF and the Olympic movement caught the attention of many studying TKD, another avenue and a good one! The one drawback that I saw was the sport of TKD began to overshadow the martial and philosophical aspects of TKD. Change is inevitable, some positive, some not so positive. As instructors and educators it is our duty to maintain a high level of integrity and a solid curriculum for our students. I feel we must respect the path the pioneers laid out for us. It is imperative we understand the past so we can live in the present and ensure the future. I believe the future of TKD is bright, it is being taught in 200 countries, no doubt we will see more growth in the future. We must continue to instruct good solid TKD, and impart to our students the importance of our TKD heritage.

COMANews: What advice do you have for someone just starting out?

GM Cavins: Do your homework, research TKD and other arts, it’s important that you find the proper fit. Check out different Dojangs, take free classes, see if the atmosphere is organized, and that students and instructors are respectful and courteous. Please DON’T just pick the most convenient to your home, that may or MAY NOT be the best fit for you. Once you have found a Dojang, put everything you have, mind, body, and spirit into your training. Never missing, always getting to the next class! You can have the best instructor the world has ever known, but if you are hit and miss with your training, your instructor can’t help you. The old adage, you get out of things what you put into them is never more true than in the Martial Arts.

COMANews: What advice do you have for someone preparing for 1st Black Belt test?

GM Cavins: Make your mind set PILSUNG (certain victory.)

Work your basics to death. That is your foundation, after all 1st Dan is the point you really start to learn and build your TKD. You can’t successfully build upon a weak foundation. This is true no matter what you pursue in life. Redouble your efforts, every class is a test, leave nothing to doubt, your training , your nutrition, make sure you’re well hydrated all the time. Get plenty of sleep, visualize your test from start to finish. In my opinion it is very beneficial to do this on a regular basis. If you do this you have already completed your test many times mentally, now the physical part of your test will flow naturally. If you have access to video, use it. Video will leave no doubt as to what your TKD looks like. It can be an ego bruiser, but it is an invaluable tool. After all we should be striving to be humble and egoless. Above all enjoy your journey, take pride in knowing that you are special, that what you have accomplished is experienced by only a few.

COMANews: What advice do you have for instructors who own their own dojangs?

GM Cavins: Don’t neglect your personal training! I am a proponent of ongoing education. It helps keep things fresh, gives you new ideas and keeps you sharp. If you don’t use it you lose it.

In the beginning most instructors do everything from teaching to keeping the restrooms clean. If you take pride in your Dojang, your students will as well. Some will ask to help, accept their help, this gives them a sense of pride and a vested interest in their Dojang. We had students that swept the floor another would wipe down the mirrors another would keep the dressing room neat. There is always someone that has a talent and is willing to lend a hand. I have seen many good instructors close their Dojangs, not because they didn’t know TKD, because they didn’t understand the basics of running a business. This is a must! Don’t sell yourself short, you have a lot to offer, you have knowledge that other people seek, there is nothing wrong with being compensated for that. Don’t over extend yourself, when you’re over extended everything suffers. In a very short time what was a joy has become a burden, students sense this and in no time you may be looking at an empty Dojang. You don’t need to be THAT GUY! Do your homework, when you think you’ve completed your home work, DO IT AGAIN! Give YOUR DREAM the best chance to succeed. Back to the basics one more time, boys and girls!!

COMANews: What is you favorite Kick?

GM Cavins: I have always liked any type of hook kick, it seemed to come easy for me, my body and mind understood that kick I guess. That being said, my Hapkido Master has said “a brick in the side of the head is good Hapkido.” His point was, if this doesn’t work do something else, WIN, you go home not to the hospital.

COMANews: What is something about you that few people know?

GM Cavins: My first school was in Aspen Park Colo. I was a red belt and drove a light blue “69 VW bug.

COMANews: Anything else you would like to add?

Mrs. Cavins, GM West, Dr. Kimm & Sean Cavins

GM Cavins: My loving wife Mary of 30 years, has supported me and my dream of living the Martial Art way of life. Mary has been shoulder to shoulder with me the whole way – thank you. Be greatful every day for what you have. Never give up on your dreams. Understand you will have to have a positive, relentless work ethic, and there will be many sacrifices along the way. If you persevere you will have the satisfaction of living a wonderful life, with the ability to help your community and influence people with your positive actions on a daily basis.

Never lose sight of all the help you have had along the way. I often hear people say I did this and that, and make it sound like their success was a solitary effort. I was fortunate to have parents that taught me the importance of being focused, orderly, disciplined, and accountable for my actions or inactions. The school system embraced those principals. The multitude of jobs I had also expected those qualities. Understanding the importance of these attributes is imperative to a successful life.

COMANews: Thank you, sir, for your wisdom and insight!

(Denver, CO) – According to a rough estimation from publicly available Kukkiwon data, about 10% of martial artists have currently reached the rank of 1st degree black belt. Of all the black belts, about 3% are ranked 4th dan and above. Of those, only about 1% have reached the rank of 9th dan. That means that our of everyone doing Taekwondo, only 0.0025% (about 1 in 40,000) have achieved this rank. 9th Dan is also the last rank generally achievable through ordinary means. The 10th dan is usually reserved for special situations such as founders of a style or heads of a major governing body or international sports federations and is often granted posthumously.

Left to right: GM J. R. West, GM Rich Hodder, GM Sean Cavins, Dr. He Young Kimm.

Colorado is very fortunate in that one of our own instructors was recently promoted to 9th degree black belt. COMANews sat down with Grandmaster Rich Hodder for this exclusive interview.

COMANews: Please give our readers a ‘cliff’s notes’ summary of your background.

GM Hodder:  I began training in TKD in 1964 in Arvada, CO with Mr. Fred Criswell as part of GM Chuck Seriff’s organization, which at that time was called Western Tae Kwon Do Federation, a precursor to the United States Taekwon-Do Federation. I was awed to have General Choi, Hong Hi sitting as a judge at my first test for Gold Belt. When that school closed I began training at Cho’s Tae Kwon Do (Karate) School under Grand Master Ki Sun Cho. GM Cho was one of the first 9^th dans certified by the KKW. He was also a member of the famous ROK Army Tiger Division. After GM Cho had a severe car accident his nephew (a former ROK Army Green Beret) Master Tae Ro Cho took over the school instruction. He was my instructor until his untimely death. Master Newby and I inherited the school in 1984 and continued to operate and learn about the business of Martial Arts. I have had the great honor of having schools in Steamboat Springs, Hayden and Oak Creek, CO, as well as in Houston, TX. I am now teaching at Sahn Taekwondo of Carbondale with Ms. Cedar Rose and under the direction of Grand Master Sean Cavins.

I competed in Taekwondo for 30 years, retiring from active competition in 1994 after having won 13 State and two National Championships. I continued to coach competition TKD until about 2007 having trained 100’s of athletes to the state and national championship level.. I have held the offices of Athletes Advisory Council Chairman, Vice President, Secretary General and several other Chairmanships within the Colorado State Taekwondo Association.

For the last 17 years I have been the Executive Director of Taekwondo for the United States Korean Martial Arts Federation and along with GM Cavins have been nominated to join the advisory council of the United States Taekwondo Grandmasters Society.

Over the years I have studied many different martial arts and hold dan rank in Judo, Shorin Ryu, Shin Goju Ryu, Kali and Hapkido.

Back row left to right: GM J. R. West, Master Stacy Towar, Ms. Lisa Bleiler, Ms. Stefanie Updegraft, Mr. Dylan Badiga, Master Mike Newby, Ms. Cedar Rose Guelberth, Dr. He Young Kimm, Master Instructor April Jazwierska, Master Chris Rock.
Front row: GM Rich Hodder, GM Sean Cavins, Mrs. Mary Cavins, Master Georgie Martinez.

COMANews: You’ve been training in martial arts almost 50 years. What kind of changes have you seen since you started and what things have stayed the same?

GM Hodder: There have been quite a few changes, some good, and others bad.

The best change in the arts, being, research using modern scientific methodology within Kinesiology, Anatomy and Physiology, along with more open mindedness regarding training with other Masters of the arts to better improve performance. The worst change being the modern marketing methods being adopted by commercial schools and the subsequent lack of hard, thorough training in order to make a dollar at the expense of traditional values and etiquette.

COMANews: Who are the most influential instructors who have helped you along the way?

GM Hodder: That is a long list, a shortened version would be: GM Ki Sun Cho, GM Sung Dal Cho, Master Tae Ro Cho, Shihan Frank Goody, Dr Vthor Braun, Master Larry McGill, Master Sean Cavins, GM J. R. West, Dr. He Young Kimm and of course Master Mike Newby.

COMANews: What is the most important piece of advice you would give to a white belt on his first day?

GM Hodder: The best advice I could give a new white belt is: Try to learn something new every day, just one thing will do, but learn it well and make it yours. Also, after each class write down what you did in class that day, who taught, your impressions, etc. in other words keep a journal of your daily experiences in Martial Arts. If you do that and continue to find a reason to come to the next class rather than an excuse to sit on the couch, you will have an incredible resource of motivation and a history of the improvement you’ve made along the way.

COMANews: What is the most important piece of advice you would give to a student who is preparing for this 1st degree black belt test?

GM Hodder: Don’t over train. We have all seen the Black Belt candidate that hurts themselves right before the big test; we used to call that “Brown Belt-itis”.  Learn to trust what you know and have faith in what you have been taught. If you were not ready for this test, your instructor would not have recommended you for testing. Remember, your instructor is being evaluated by his/her seniors on the quality of his/her students.

It is also useful to remind students at this level that they are now just beginning their journey in the martial arts. Many think that Cho-dan means First Dan, in reality it means “beginning level” and should be thought of in that way.

COMANews: What is the most important piece of advice you would give to someone who currently owns a martial arts school?

GM Hodder: Advise for current school owners is simple: Continue YOUR martial arts training while you teach your students, continue your academic education, and by all means stay faithful to the tenets of TKD. Your reputation is invaluable; don’t do anything to tarnish it or Taekwondo. Remember every day what it felt like to be a beginner, and make sure you keep a student’s mind set.

COMANews: What are your most fond memories from your training?

GM Hodder: My fondest memories of training are of my classmates and friends. Like many high ranking martial artists I am not, nor have I ever been an extremely social person. That being said, I have been most fortunate to have had absolutely fantastic instructors and even more fortunate to have acquired the best and truest of friends through the martial arts.

COMANews: The Rocky Mountain Taekwondo Retreat recently completed its first successful year. Please tell us more about this event and how our readers can participate next year.

GM Hodder: The Rocky Mountain Taekwondo Retreat was a great success in 2013. The aim of the Retreat is to remind adult students and Masters why they started training and to show them that TKD is not just a sport or just for kids. Taekwondo is a life study and activity. Our goal is to re-introduce some of the martial and spiritual aspects of the “art” of TKD that the sport side seems to have weakened.

We will be conducting our next Rocky Mountain TKD Retreat in July 2014 and already have people from Georgia, Mississippi, Texas and Colorado signed up to attend. You can go to www.rockymountaintkd.com and visit our Face book page for more information. I would also like to thank those people that are such an integral part of our success. A big shout out to Grandmaster Sean Cavins, Master Mike Newby, Master Georgie Martinez and Master Instructor April Jazwierska, and a huge, huge thank you to Ms. Cedar Rose for not only teaching segments but for coordinating the entire event.

COMANews: Please tell us more about the US Korean Martial Arts Federation. What are the benefits to being involved with this group?

GM Hodder: The United States Korean Martial Arts Federation (USKMAF) grew out of a need to inspire and improve the study of Korean Martial Arts in the United States. It started over 20 years ago with Grand Master J. R. West’s (the first non-Korean to hold the rank of 1^st Dan in Hapkido and currently 9^th dan certified by the Dae Han Kido Hae) vision of helping students of the Korean Martial Arts (KMA) to have access to qualified resources and individuals to help them improve and advance the virtues of the KMA’s. It is an organization free of political turmoil and is dedicated to the advancement of the overall quality of instruction of the Korean Martial Arts in the United States. We hold bi-annual (twice yearly) seminars in Jackson, MS where you will find 7^th, 8^th and 9^th degree black belts on the mat training alongside all levels including white and yellow belts, without egos, haughtiness or bravado, just sweating and slamming with the greatest of comaraderie.  If you would like more information the website is www.hapkido.com or you can contact GM West at 601-856-8487. Dr. Kimm is one of the only men ever to have attained the rank of 10^th dan through the Dae Han Kido Hae and 9^th Dan through the Kukkiwon. He just finished an extensive study of Taekwondo and published a book aptly named “Taekwondo History”.

COMANews: What does Taekwondo mean to you?

GM Hodder: That Sir is a huge question. Let it suffice to say that I cannot separate myself or the core of my being from that of Taekwondo. The statement that Martial Arts and being a Dan level student of the Martial Arts is not something you do, but rather something that you are, is indeed true. Taekwondo has literally saved my life in more than just a physical sense and I will continue to be a beginning student of Taekwondo for the rest of my life.

COMANews: Anything else you would like to add?

GM Hodder: As Martial Artists, especially Taekwondo-in, keep a humble attitude and a modest bearing. Train your students to walk that same path. Train them and yourself as if your Instructor were watching. Honor your lineage. Keep the tenets close to your heart and mind, and never do anything that would bring dishonor to Taekwondo.

COMANews: Thank you for your time and insight, sir! Once again, Chook Ha Hahm Nida! from the entire Colorado Martial Arts Community.

CO State Pomsae Team

CO State Sparring Team

(Henderson, CO) – The Colorado State Taekwondo Association held its annual team trials on August 17th, 2013. Athletes from many schools came to face off for positions on team for both the sparring and poomsae events. As has previously been the case for the state team, some divisions were extremely competitive with national team members going for spots, while some spots were left vacant.

The state team will practice together every few weeks in preparation for the 2014 US Open Taekwondo Championships. Future practices will likely be open to other interested black belts for a small fee. The team will also probably host an open training session to give back to the grassroots elements of Colorado Taekwondo.

Sponsorships, team uniforms, and other information will be given later.

Below are the official results from www.cotkd.com

Click on the cover image to purchase the book on Amazon.

Book Review: The Princess and the Ogre: Martial Arts Based Nursery Rhymes and Fairy Tales for Children of all Ages.
You will find many familiar versions of nursery rhymes, filled with Martial Arts kicks and twists in The Princess and the Ogre. Your kids will love hearing and reading it, and you will enjoy it as well. Don’t miss out on reading your favorite tales like This Little Piggy, Little Red Riding Hood and The Three Little Pigs.
The creativity in the book is great and the moral lessons of the stories are not just fun to read but educating at the same time. The authors do an impressive job reminding children through the nursery rhymes, that Martial Arts is not just about hard work, structure and dedication but that it fun as well.
Be sure to get your copy of The Princess and the Ogre for your family today. Please remember to do so before September ends. ALL Proceeds of the book, during the month of September will be donated to the Children’s Cancer Research Fund.
The Pottle family searched high and low in old dusty libraries to read and rediscover original martial arts based stories, to compile the creation of The Princess and the Ogre: Martial Arts Based Nursery Rhymes.
Bill Pottle has written various books over the last few years exploring magic and science. He has also written several books about Martial Arts and the instruction of Martial Arts. More information can be found on all the Pottle Books at: http://www.amazon.com/Bill-Pottle/e/Bo4H6YoAE

Review by Cherise Scrivner