34 poomsae referees ranging from Class 1 to 3P attended the Poomsae Referee Refresher Course held on 3 May 2008 at the National Training Centre.

They were at the course for a common purpose of upgrading themselves so that poomsae competitors could have the best referees they deserved. They certainly had the right attitude.

The participants at the course learned about the significance of good judging and the method of detecting errors.   After that, they revised their poomsae and practiced using the electronic scoring system.

The main aim of the practical judging was to enhance the consistency of judging – that was to make sure there was not too much variance in the judges’ scores. At the end of the practice, the judges proved that they were ready for their assignments.

Why? They know what to look for. They know how the poomsae and basic movements are correctly performed. They know how to score. And they are the following.

43 coaches who attended the Grading Briefing conducted on Saturday 19 April 2008 at the National Training Centre had a clearer picture of how to prepare their students for grading.

They were also informed of the latest grading requirements and development. Some of which included the following.

• With immediate effect, all successful 15-year old candidates will be awarded dan certification in line with Kukkiwon regulations. Those holding poom belts may apply for conversion to dan on reaching 15 years old.
• Each round of sparring will last from 20 seconds to 1 minute. It is up to the discretion of the examiners.
• Clubs sending grading one and higher candidates are expected to arrange sparring partners for their candidates. If no arrangement is made, the examiners will decide on what they deemed appropriate.

The recently completed centralized grading concluded with a high percentage of failures.

From the feedback received from its examiners, the Singapore Taekwondo Federation learned that most candidates were not prepared well enough for the grading.

While some candidates were still doing the traditional movements for poomsae, others thought that to ‘kill’ the opponents was equal to skills. Those were not what the examiners were looking for.

Grade 1 and higher candidates (junior and senior) can find out more about the examiners’ expectations by joining the next Grading Preparation Workshop.

The details are as follows.

Date                :           Sunday 25 May 2008

Time               :           2 to 5 pm

Place              :           National Training Centre (NTC)

Dress Code   :           ‘Dobok’

Certification   :           Certificate of Participation

Fee                 :           $30

Closing Date:           Tuesday 20 May 2008

The registration form is attached. 

The activity, which will be run by senior examiners, will be beneficial to members who want to know what they must do to achieve success in the grading. For candidates who wish to find out in detail why they fail, the workshop is a good place for them to get the answers.

For the benefit of coaches and black belts who missed the Poomsae Coach Refresher Course and the Poomsae Coach Course respectively, the Singapore Taekwondo Federation (STF) organized the two courses over the weekends at the National Training Centre.

The Poomsae Refresher Course held on 12 April 2008 attracted 26 participants who found the session enriching. They were glad to be given the opportunity to catch up with the rest who had attended the course earlier.

The coaches who attended the refresher course are as follows.

Soh Kwang Kian Steven                  Seah Qun Li Johnathan

Tan Huay Shyuan Georgina             Nick Sia

Fang Wen Kai                                Pek Keam Gim

Chua Chuan Hoe                            Jahangir Khan Gaffoor

Joseph Lee                                    Lum Zheng Liang

Ho Yao Tong Victor                         Go Ngee Boon Rocky

Ganesan s/o Sundaram                   Tay Xiong Cheng

Qui Yuan Huei Gladdy                     Ong Bee Ai Alice

Tan Hui Hong Melissa                     Yeo Teck Chye

Ong Ker Seng                                 Teo Yeow Hong

Goh Kai Lin                                     Tinarani d/o Tamilchelvan               

Li Derong Eric                                 Chua Kok Hai                                   

Tan Guan Wei Max                           Pauline Lim

The Poomsae Course conducted on 13 April 2008 saw 9 participants qualified as Poomsae Coaches. They earned the qualification after passing both the theory and practical tests.

The latest additions to the more than 250 poomsae coaches are as follows.

Foo Miyi June                                    Lor Keli

Chua Jun Xian                                   Zheng Zhimin Vincent

Lee Sian Wee                                   Gunaseelan T

Nah Wee Yang                                  Amirul Mohd Amin

Ho Mun Wai