MIDDLEBURG, FL - On Saturday, November 4, 2006, more than 120 martial artists from throughout Region 21 in Florida and Georgia gathered for a martial arts clinic hosted by Middleburg Martial Arts.  Students ranged in age from five to over 50 years with training categories that included gun defense techniques, judo, sparring, advanced kicking, and escrima sticks. This is the third time that Middleburg Martial Arts has hosted a regional clinic.
 
Our guest of honor was Grandmaster Shin.  He personally led an introduction to Ki Gong for clinic participants and their family members as well as teaching proper rolling techniques for the young children's group.  Those who participated in Grandmaster Shin's Ki Gong session learned that it holds tremendous benefits for mental and physical health through its meditative techniques and energy-focusing movements.  They all agreed that it was a unique and very rewarding experience.

We also owe a debt of gratitude to all of the Region 21 instructors who led the clinic events.  They were: Master James Weichel, gun techniques; Mr. Brian Califf and Dr. Kelly Goodwin, little dragon activities (including ribbon sparring); Ms. Jan Lappin and Mr. Lionel Lariviere, judo; Ms. Marilyn Nevado and Mr. Virgil Nevado, escrima sticks; Mr. Lee Sandt, sparring; Mr. Russell Nevado and Mr. Dereck Nevado, advanced kicks.
 
The last portion of the clinic was devoted to team sparring.  Each studio assembled a team based on age and rank and the team members took turns sparring with other teams in a one-on-one format for points.  This was a favorite for many, drawing loud cheers from the teams' supporters.  The studios were able to really show off their skills and pass along to each other ideas for better offensive and defensive moves.

The afternoon concluded with a talk from Grandmaster Shin who shared his thoughts on the great success and familial atmosphere enjoyed by Region 21 as well as his vision for the World Tang Soo Do Association.

The clinic offered something for all of the participants from beginners through the most advanced black belt ranks and followed a highly successful black belt test that was held the night before at Middleburg Martial Arts.  Those who tested, as well as those who participated in the clinic, can be justifiably proud of their accomplishments.   They all represented Grandmaster Shin's mottoes of Traditionalism, Professionalism, and Brotherhood.

Photos from the clinic are available here.

Submitted by Jon Ayres, 3rd Gup