Ministry of National Defense Republic of Korea

Friendly Taekwondo match between the 3rd Korea Army and 8th US Army

 

 

 

The Korean and U.S. Armies shared their friendship through a Taekwondo match. The 3rd ROK Army and the 8th U.S. Army held the fourth Korea-U.S. Friendship Taekwondo Match at the U.S. Army side on May 16.

 

Six Korean teams and seven U.S. teams participated in the match, competing by weight division. Around 500 people, including commander of the 8th U.S. Army, head of the 3rd Army personnel office, Polish and Italian ambassadors, and officials of the national Taekwondo institute attended and enjoyed the military Taekwondo.

 

Participants struggled for superiority at four events including breaking roof tiles, high jump kick, Taekwondo gyeorugi, etc. It started with a tournament qualifying match followed by performance of a demonstration team from the national Taekwondo institute and the 8th U.S. Army, creating a festival atmosphere.

 

Especially for this match, “combat gyeorugi” received a fervent response from the audience. In this event it is possible to strike the opponent’s face and pass him over the shoulder with gloves on. It is composed of kicking and punching in which unnecessary movement is minimized, and now the U.S. Army reflects it in drills.

 

The 3rd Army is developing its own actual fighting Taekwondo that reflects features of the Army with a goal of dissemination to the entire force by next year with the Korean Army military personnel center.

 

Meanwhile, the Korean Army placed first, second and third overall, and the U.S. fourth. By weight division, Korea won from flyweight to heavyweight, and the U.S. the super heavyweight. For the breaking event, the U.S. Army dominated due to their good muscular strength, but for the high jump kick, Korea performed with skill. Sergeant First Class Kirmon, who won the top spot in the super heavyweight class, said, “The Korean team is as brilliant as the country from which Taekwondo has originated. I’m so glad to hang around Korean soldiers and even win the match through my hobby, Taekwondo.”

 

 

By Yeong-Sun, Lee < ys119@dema.mil.kr >

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