A weekend of Champions

Local Browns Bay Martial Art School owner Caroline Hazelden has recently returned from judging the Australian National Championships.

Held in Cairns Australia, Caroline was honoured to Judge both the Choi Kwang Do Australian National Champion Competition as well as the North Queensland Games comprising 45 sports events.

“It was a great weekend judging the best Choi Kwang Do Martial Art talent in Australia.  As a school owner with over 500 students training right here in Browns Bay, I was especially delighted that our students are on par with many of the best in the world. ” says Caroline.

In addition to Judging the games, the Founder of Choi Kwang Do - Grandmaster Kwang Jo Choi was an honorary guest and was able to spend time with Australian and New Zealand School owners. With Caroline having recently graded in Korea under Grandmaster Choi it was a great opportunity to meet again and share with him updates on the Browns Bay martial art school.

Also held over the weekend was a seminar for all the Choi Kwang Do students ages ranged from 5yrs to 80. It was a rewarding experience seeing the excited faces as some students meet their founder for the first time.  There were looks of amazement on students faces looking at what the founder could do at the age of 74 years. As he performed stretching movements such as side and front splits with such ease, then threw a punch with so much power to a target held by a student double his size and 49yrs his junior.

A special workshop was also held for Black Belts and Instructors, which was a fantastic opportunity to upskill and learn the latest.  Caroline has been busy since getting back sharing all her new knowledge with her Black Belts and Instructors to pass onto all the students.  

Gathering with her peers also open up opportunities to re-new and make new connections to network with.  New Christchurch Choi Kwang Do School owner Mr Baird and Mrs Hazelden recognised the importance of Contests within their organisation as these have not yet been held in New Zealand.  Planning is now underway for the New Zealand Choi Kwang Do National Championship to be held in Browns Bay later this year.

Next year Choi Kwang Do has its 30th Anniversary in Atlanta and fundraising plans have begun to send the first ever team from NZ.

With over 43 classes a week including age specific classes for preschool, primary, high school and adults plus fitness kickboxing and yoga classes drop in to see the friendly team in Browns Bay or jump across to www.baysmartialarts.co.nz to check out their online joining special.  

By Channel Magazine

Channel Magazine: Issuu 68 August 2016