Song Jeong Ho (Father), Song Yoon Seo (Daughter) and

Song Ji Woong (Son)

GOLD medal in the Family of Three Event

The family Poomsae category provides a chance for us to showcase our effort and more importantly, improve our family bonding while taking up the challenge.

At first, we were indecisive about choosing the poomsae to compete. But, once we set our mindset on Taegeuk 3, we trained as often as possible together at Top Taekwondo Academy with the primarily objective of giving our best to the spectators.

My kids gave their best when practicing me or on their own. It was gratifying for me to observe my daughter revealing her extraordinary patience when she guided her much younger little brother during their own training.

I am aware that sometimes siblings fight. As a father, it is indeed reassuring for me to watch my children working hard together towards a shared goal and always demonstrating care for each other.

While the outcome of the competition has motivated by daughter to continue practicing and improving herself, it has boosted my son’s competitive spirit.

– Song Jeong Ho

Chua Chong Beng (Father), Sng Li Hoon (Mother),

Chua Jen Ian (Son) and Chua Jen Lyn (Daughter)

GOLD medal in the Family of Four Event

Participating in the family event was very different from the individual event. Two of our biggest challenge was finding space at home to practice and achieving synchronization among the four of us. Mdm Koh Poh Ling, Raiders Taekwondo, helped us in achieving schronization by first counting ‘1-2, 1-2’ aloud during our initial practice. We ultimately got used to the pace and did silent count on our own to achieve the same synchronization.

The family event had provided us with the opportunity to learn how to compromise and adapt to each other differences. The two kids could perform a higher and better kick as compared to us, but they understood that it was important to achieve the same standard in the family event hence they reframed from doing a better kick.

The trophy was certainly a pleasant surprise for the four of us. We could see the kids beaming with pride when they received it. Our son was so happy that he got to shake Mr Milan Kwee’s (Singapore Taekwondo Federation President) hand and our daughter smiled throughout her sleep that night.

Taekwondo had provided us not only an opportunity to keep fit and bond with our kids, it had also boost our resilience as a family. We were very grateful to STF for organizing this event, as well as all the referees and volunteers who made the running of this event possible. We would also like to express our gratitude to Mdm Koh, Sir Polo Teo, Mdm Leng Kee for their guidance and patience as well as our team mates for their support and encouragement.

– Li Hoon

The Singapore Taekwondo Federation (STF) is putting a high premium in the development of ‘DO’ which is articulated in its pledge.  Without ‘DO’, a taekwondo member cannot be complete.  Therefore, the STF, which is responsible for the promotion of the art and sport, would be remiss if it fails to provide guidance for its members.

However, the STF will require the support, co-operation and understanding of club leaders, officials and coaches to produce taekwondo exponents worthy of the discipline.  

As coaches and black belt holders serve as important role models for their students, it is imperative that they are able to not only recite the STF pledge but also appreciate its significance.  In order to ensure that they are conversant with the pledge, it has been, and will remain as, part of the basic requirement for them when they participate in STF courses/seminars/workshops.

For clubs conducting supplementary promotion tests, the pledge will be recited by candidates to kick off the event.  Club representatives may take the pledge on behalf of the candidates at the start of the grading.

The STF pledge and this article are also available in the ‘Guidelines’ folder.

“Families that play together stay together,” as the saying goes. However, there are more to staying together when playing together.

Families participating in the National Taekwondo Poomsae Championships 2015 staged on 25 and 26 July 2015 at Toa Payoh Sports Hall realize the power of taekwondo in not only strengthening the family bonds but also revealing the qualities of family members. What’s more, it provides them opportunities to spend delightful and memorable quality time together.

Here is what some of them say.

“The family event had provided us with the opportunity to learn how to compromise and adapt to each other differences.” – Sng Li Hoon

“As a father, it is indeed reassuring for me to watch my children working hard together towards a shared goal and always demonstrating care and concern for each other.” – Song Jeong Ho

“The time that we trained together was a unique and fun way of bonding.” – Mandy Sng

“(My brother) gave me a sense of confidence …” – Darren Yap

“There are not many years of early childhood opportunities for father and son bonding amidst the rigours of work and school.” – Victor Choo

The Singapore Taekwondo Federation will feature in 4 weekly installments, beginning on Monday 10 August 2015, the inspiring stories shared by some of the champions in the family events.