Over 100 Comox Valley Woo Kim Taekwondo students tested for their next coloured belt on Saturday and Sunday in front of local Master Richard Dobbs and 9th degree black belt and Grand Master, Gil Woo Kim.
“It’s a great feeling for me to see the students achieve a step towards their goal. It’s amazing to see how proud they are when they get their new belts,” says Dobbs. “Through taekwondo, many of them find their voice and confidence. Sometimes we get kids who come in brand new and can barely answer to their name at roll call then, two or three months later, they are leading the class in bows and tenets.”
Over the two days of testing students as young as five tested in front of a panel of black belts, overcoming nerves and shyness to show off their recently learned skills. The red and black belts put on a demonstration for friends and families at the test.
Two students achieved their black belts. Ryan Castle, 17, received his 1st Dan black belt and Ricky Richter, 17, received his 2nd Dan black belt. Both have come such a long way from unassuming kids in class to courteous, confident and talented young men, Dobbs noted.
This semester is wrapping up on Dec. 17 but will resume in early January. Woo Kim Taekwondo offers classes for five to 13 year olds at the Courtenay Lewis Centre and Comox Community Centre: see the Recreation Reporter for class times.
An adult class is offered in Comox on Monday and Wednesday nights. “We encourage people to come try a week for free,” says Dobbs. For more information on joining classes, contact the CRA at 250-338-5371, Comox Community Centre at 250-339-2255 or Dobbs directly at 250-897-2452.