Special Events

_{SEMINAR SERIES 2008}

_{In the past 6 months Grandmaster Choi has travelled and conducted seminars in; Peru, Argentina, England, Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, and Australia, next up on the Seminar series, St. Petersburg, Russia!}

_{Sahjonim (founder of art) had a special invitation to Dong Su University located in Pusan, Korea, which is the second largest city in Korea, where Sahjonim conducted a Choi Kwang Do seminar for its students. University professors from three different science departments organized this seminar.  Although school was let out for the summer holiday, this seminar was very special and successful.}

_{Sahjonim then travelled to Suji, Korea to conduct another energetic Choi Kwang Do seminar.  Master Kyoung, master instructor for Tae Kwon Do, Hapkido, Tukong Moosul, hosted this special event.  Master Kyoung has also travelled to Atlanta, GA to attend the 20th Anniversary celebrations in March of 2007. Since that time Master Kyoung decided to abandon the other martial arts and switch to Choi Kwang Do. He returned to Atlanta Georgia in February 2008 spent the entire month training with Sahjonim. He sold his Tae Kwon Do school and organized the Choi Kwang Do seminar in Korea on 16 August 2008. He already has over 100 students in the first 3 months since opening his Choi Kwang Do Academy.  Master Instructors in Tae Kwon Do from Saudi Arabia also attended the seminars. There were many Tae Kwon Do, Tukong Moosul, and other martial arts instructors in attendance. Since Sahjonim’s seminar in Suji, Korea, many Master Tae Kwon Do instructors have been requesting continued training in Choi Kwang Do from Master Kyoung.  More Choi Kwang Do schools are being established in Korea as of this time.}

_{After the Korean seminar, Sahjonim was met at Auckland International airport by Mr. and Mrs. Hazelden, Mr. Mark Palmer, students from Christchurch and Master Bruce Cairney from Australia. Master Bruce as he is fondly known attended the Argentina Seminar in May 2008 with his staff of instructors. While there Master Bruce conducted business seminars for the Argentina instructors. Apart from the Headquarters in Atlanta, Master Bruce is the only other instructor in CKD who owns and operates his own building in Townsville, Australia. He and his staff train over 360 students. He is set to travel with Grandmaster Choi to different countries worldwide to assist and conduct business seminars for all CKD school owners. He will deliver is presentation in the U.S. later this year in Atlanta and Michigan. He also attended the 20 year Anniversary celebrations in the UK with his instructor Scott Taylor. He also conducted business seminars for Mr. and Mrs. Hazelden in New Zealand. Grandmaster Choi was interviewed by North Shore News and immediately by the World TV. The instructor training was conducted the following day. This seminar was attended by students, instructors and other martial artists from Auckland and Christchurch. At the dinner banquet many students and their families mingled with instructors and Sahjonim. Sunday morning parents, students and instructors all gathered at the Auckland Dojahng for the official opening by the founder himself. Later that afternoon Mr. and Mrs. Hazelden took Sahjonim for a tour of Auckland. Tuesday morning at 6 AM, Sahjonim accompanied by Master Bruce and Master P boarded the plane headed to Cairns, Australia. They were met by instructors Mr. Hampton, Mrs. Worthington, and Mr. Martin. Black belt and instructor classes were held at the Centenary school in Cairns. Sahjonim as usual was in top form; no sign of slowing down with age.  School owners' classes were also held at the Cairns Central school.  Mr. Brian McCarthy from Hong Kong attended the seminar and instructors training.  He was also tested and was promoted to 2nd degree black belt.  Sahjonim was interviewed by two radio stations in Cairns and was very well received.  After the seminar and festivities on Saturday night, Sahjonim and an entourage of instructors including Master Bruce, Master P, Mr. Hampton, and Mr. McCarthy headed for Townsville, Australia.  Instructors Mr. Vonhoff, Mr. Naess, and Mr. Pinchers met Sahjonim and instructors at the airport.  After settling in the hotel, the Townsville seminar commenced.  There were many students who met Sahjonim for the first time.  While Sahjonim was stretching, students were starring due to amazement.  Sahjonim also was interviewed by two different newspapers and he also conducted a special instructor training.  The seminar was a great success.  Sahjonim was very impressed with the great energy and enthusiasm! Photographs, autographs, and presentations ended the Townsville seminar. The farewell dinner was attended by many students and parents.}

_{Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia was the next destination for Sahjonim. The Malaysian seminar coincided with the 50th Malaysian Independence celebrations. The seminar was conducted at the prestigious Putra Jaya Township where all the Parliament office of Malaysia is located.  Before the seminar, Grandmaster Choi met with Mr. Yazid Abdul Rani, fitness consultant for the National Fitness Council.  The seminar was organized Mr. and Mrs. Mohamed Ali Mohamad Nasir.  Master Kyoung (Korea), Master Bruce (Australia), Mr. and Mrs. Johal (Austria), and Mrs. Pinder and her two daughters Jennifer and Sophie (England) all attended the Malaysian seminar.  There were also instructor trainings where Mr. Nasir and Mrs. Pinder tested and promoted to 4th degree international instructors.  Sahjonim appeared on the front cover of "Seni Beladine" Malaysian martial art magazine, September issue.  He was also interviewed by the magazine for a future issue. The seminar concluded with a grand dinner buffet at hotel Istana.  On the 28th of September the Russian seminar will be held in St. Petersburg at the Universal Sport Complex.  Instructors and students from the US, UK, and Australia will be attending.  This will be 15th anniversary of Choi Kwang Do in Russia.  Master Momot and his team of instructors will welcome Sahjonim and all the visitors to St. Petersburg. Instructor training and meeting with top Russian officials are also on the agenda.  Look for photos and info in October.}

_{Seminars in Michigan and Florida in the months of November and December will conclude the 2008 seminar series.  Master Bruce will conduct business seminars for all US school owners in Georgia and Michigan.  In October 2009, Korea will host the next International seminar. Pil Suhng!}

For further information and seminar bookings contact:
Mark Palmer 0800 581481
Christchurch Choi Kwang Do