Interview 1
AN INTERVIEW WITH WORLD MASTER CHONG CHUL RHEE, 8TH DAN
FATHER OF TAEKWONDO IN AUSTRALIA.
REPRODUCED FROM MARCH 1985 ISSUE OF AUSTRALASIAN FIGHTING ARTS MAGAZINE
Master
Rhee, can we discuss some of your military experiences - your time as
instructor of the South Korean Marine Corps, for example?
"Yes,
I was with the Marines for three years, teaching the art for unarmed
combat purposes. During the Korean War this Marine Corps became known
as the 'Demon Hunter Korean Marines', the nickname was given by the
President of the United States. They were very good fighters and they
always trained very hard."
Did you modify the traditional techniques for military applications?
"Yes.
Their purpose was simply to kill the enemy. So the training was
slightly different from civilian training. Simple, deadly techniques.
Plus some bayonet sparring and knife training." Have you modified and
updated the original art, over the years, for modern Australian
conditions? "Yes, today the art is more advanced in free-sparring,
compared to the old days. Maybe slightly less power in individual
techniques, but faster, more advanced combinations and free-sparring."
Do you recognise a need to constantly modify and update techniques and do you feel the art will change much in the future?
"I
know many organisations hold tournaments and I can understand that as
one of the ways to promote the art. But this is not the ultimate way to
develop the art. Eventually, if they just keep promoting and developing
championships, the real art will die. Maybe it will exist only as a
sport so to prevent that eventuality; they should concentrate on
developing more power, rather than just techniques for scoring under
the points system. There's no power that way. As I said, some
tournaments can be okay as one method of promotion but I don't see any
importance in having tournaments in Rhee Taekwondo. I want it to remain
as a real Martial Art, not just sport. I notice, incidentally, that
even in the United States where tournaments and sport used to be very
popular, they are coming back to the traditional Martial Arts now. What
is necessary is good training at the gym-good sparring with your
partner, strong basics and pattern training. I believe that if you
reach your personal goal in the nights training - whether it is in free
sparring, patterns or whatever - then you are a champion. That way,
every member can practise hard at each lesson to achieve their own
personal goals."
We understand you had experience in boxing and weight training as a youth, Master Rhee?
"Yes. Boxing, weight training, plus gymnastics and basketball. But I decided to concentrate and specialise in Martial Arts."
What
are your opinions of the various forms of supplementary training that
martial artists can use? For example, running, bag and makiwara
training, weight training etc?
"Well it all depends what
particular types of technique the martial artist wants to develop. The
martial artist needs a special kind of muscle development for really
powerful, fast martial arts techniques. For example, to develop more
strength for, powerful punching - I don't think ordinary weight
training is very helpful. We have had to study scientifically exactly
which specific muscles have to be developed for greater punching power.
The same need applies to kicking, jumping techniques etc. Running is
certainly good, for developing stamina and leg strength for kicking
power. I have some special swimming and water exercises, special
techniques done in the water not only to develop certain muscles and
techniques, but also for remedial purposes. For certain injuries, these
exercises can help the bone structure come back to normal.
"We
use the forging Post, of course, to condition the knuckles and the
wrist etc for destruction. The forging post is also very useful for
developing hip power. And bag training is very useful for developing
kicking power, speed and accuracy. The type of training and the desired
effect is dependant upon the size of the bag being used. The larger bag
is used more for power development. The smaller bag can be used for
developing speed, accuracy and focus. It can be used more like a
substitute partner - dodging, moving and developing actual fighting
skills - rather than just power."
Do you place much emphasis on breaking and destruction techniques in your schools?
"Rhee
Taekwondo is a Martial Art; not just sport. People join for many, many
reasons of course - discipline, exercise, self-defence,
self-improvement, relief of stress. Each person has his or her own
reason for joining Rhee Taekwondo. But as I said, this is a true
Martial Art. So each technique - whether you punch, kick, chop, elbow
strike or whatever - must have real power. Therefore students should
practise on the forging post and kicking bag to develop that power in
each blow. Then, if they have to defend themselves, they have the
power. Destruction techniques can be useful to show the power of the
techniques.
"But, whatever their original reasons for
joining, the art offers many other benefits. I believe good health is
one of the most important things in life and we concentrate on helping
our members achieve this whether they are children or adults, and
whatever their occupation. Businessmen and professional people often
find that their first benefits include losing weight and getting into
good shape. Later, through our meditation, they are able to find a
sanctuary from stress and mental tension.
"Everybody gets
the self-defence benefits of course, and our members from the police
and armed forces learn more for combat applications."
You don't approve of contact sparring training or protective equipment for martial artists?
"I
don't believe there is any such thing as full contact training for
martial artists. We have non-contact sparring, but some people
misunderstand the concept of non contact sparring, They seem to think
this means the opponent is not supposed to touch your body - or that
you stop your techniques five inches short of the body. That is a
misunderstanding of the term non-contact. In free sparring we focus the
kick or punch, or any technique, to the opponent's body. But the
opponent is always moving, blocking, dodging, deflecting. He does not
stay there to receive the contact - otherwise he will be knocked down.
So this is our way of practical free sparring.
"We don't
need protective equipment, as techniques are controlled. Full speed,
good power, but focussing just slightly short of the vital points. With
protective equipment you don't improve speed and power. The principle
is wrong. With protective gear, they don't have to control the
technique and I believe it becomes just a sport. No belt system; no
instructors; no students. With Protective equipment and contact
sparring everybody will be the same, just kicking and punching, kicking
and punching. It would become a sport. So during training we use full
speed and power, focussing on the body but focussing short of vital
points. Of course we can hit the target if we want to . . ."
Should Taekwondo be Martial Art and Sport or pure Martial Art?
"Martial
Art is quite different from sport. In addition to all the benefits
gained from sport, Martial Art training also offers a complete
philosophy and way of life, and if the martial artist needs to defend
himself, he is able to do so very effectively.
"But it is
up to the individual what he makes of the training. For those who are
serious about their training it will be a true Martial Art, and this is
how the instructor teaches it. But maybe to some students, who are less
serious, it may be just a sport or exercise. So it is up to the
individual's interpretation."
Do
you deal strictly with students who get involved in activities that
reflect badly on the school ~ street fighting for example?
"Yes.
Members are always told they must never use the art, except for
personal protection and self-defence - for peace and justice. The art
must not be misused, as it can be very dangerous, deadly. Anyone who
misuses the art is disqualified."
What is your attitude to students who 'look around'- visiting and training with other styles and instructors?
"It
is up to the individual to make his own choice of instructor or school,
but the intending student should be very serious about his selection of
a school and master. It requires a very serious and well-informed
decision. So far, there is no Martial Arts control body in Australia
and some instructors are not qualified to teach. So the intending
student should look very carefully at the school's history, reputation
and quality. Then, once he has made his choice, he should stick with
that school. There is no way that a student can make good progress in
Martial Arts training by chopping and changing from one school or
instructor to another. And in traditional Martial Arts practice, it
shows very incorrect attitude to do that. The student should show
loyalty to their school, their style and their master instructor. So
our policy is that members look around and make their choice. When they
choose a school they should stay there and train hard.
"If
any Black Belt joins another Martial Art school to train then I
recommend that he should stay there, rather than coming back to Rhee
Taekwondo. It is only when a student reaches 1st Degree Black Belt that
he is fully ready to study the real essence of the art. That is only
the beginning; he has not completed the study of the art. So, if at
that stage the Black Belt also joins another school or Martial Art, I
recommend that he should stay with that instructor or Master, and he is
automatically disqualified from the art of Rhee Taekwondo."
How long has Rhee Taekwondo lnternational been established in Australia and how substantial is the organisation?
"Nearly
20 years now. We are one of the largest Martial Arts organisations in
the world. We are very well established throughout Australia, New
Zealand and the Pacific area with hundreds of instructors and assistant
instructors, and schools in most cities and large towns, at
universities, high schools, and Army and Air Force bases. Members
everywhere, at all levels of society.
"We have our own
publication to promote better understanding and stimulate an exchange
of ideas among our members throughout Australia, New Zealand and the
Pacific area. And soon we will publish our own training manual - very
thick and fully illustrated - for members and Black Bells.
"To
build up a strong organisation, there are many necessary components. Of
course, the school must have a strong master and strong instructors.
But good, dedicated members are also very important, most important for
the organisation's future. The members must behave correctly, practise
hard, and the instructors must correct their technique and then the
forward growth can continue. With a strong organisation behind them,
instructors can expand their branches."
What qualities do you look for in potential instructors for your organisation?
"Members
who wish to become future instructors can apply after they have reached
1st Degree Black Belt. Then they can receive my special training for
instructors. After proper training they receive certification with the
organisation and can be appointed as instructors somewhere. "But just
because they get to Black Belt stage doesn't mean they can
automatically become an instructor. Just because he has the physical
skilIs and strong techniques - perhaps he can smash a dozen tiles, or
jump over 10 people to kick the target - doesn't necessarily mean he
can become an instructor. But at least if they reach Black Belt stage,
they should be ready to accept my special training for instructors. In
the instructor we have to develop more than just physical strength and
good technique, He must learn how to teach, and have maturity,
knowledge, loyalty, correct attitude and good character. The instructor
must be able to influence the students in the right way."
How do you see the future of Rhee Taekwondo and Martial Arts generally?
"Although
we have been established here for almost 20 years and have grown very
strongly, in a way we are only beginning. I'm very confident that Rhee
Taekwondo will grow very strongly everywhere, especially in Australia,
New Zealand and the Pacific. All our instructors are specially
selected, highly qualified and officially appointed by our
organisation. I am very confident that we can continue to grow strongly
and, in the future, have millions of members..."