Taekwon-Do

Sunday 17th November 2023
I worked so hard, but still don't feel I deserve this.
The rank of Master. Still hard to believe.

A friend took this photo of me with the extended Lorth family.
They are all very talented and capable Taekwon-Do practitioners.

2020
Graded to Sixth Dan.

A hard-won honour. 6th Dan Taekwon-Do. At an age when memory starts getting frizzled, and ability to jump lessens. So, yes, I'm pleased, and proud. My 'team' - Brett Greiner my self-defence partner (aka 'the fall guy'). Taranaki Taekwon-Do club instructor Master Neill Livingstone, and Pauline and Brent Flynn - friends and coaches. I'm so fortunate. September 2016, at Brendan Doogan's seminar in Whanganui, doing a lot of the 'weird' bits of Taekwon-do. Breaking with knees and elbows, break-falling, blocking and throwing. Great fun. Click here to see a short video, filmed by Glenwyn Flynn. 2015 Graded to Fifth Dan. One of the proudest moments of my life - Master Moore presented me with one of the medals which have been struck to mark 60 years since General Choi Hong Hi founded Taewkon-Do. It is presented to Masters and to senior Instructors who maintain the original form of Taekwon-Do. I am SO honoured to be included. Here with Mr. Butchers, Master Burn, Senior Master Moore and Mr Livingstone. Here's an early version of one of my self-defence routines. It's just 9 seconds long, then repeats. Do I look too much like a teddy bear with attitude? I'm very grateful to Brent Flynn, my partner for all the Self Defence techniques. Kirsten Livingston took all these photos. And also this small movie of a multiple break at my First Dan grading. Breaking roofing tiles with my hand, during the grading for black belt (when I was 60). Black belt at the age of 60, Second Dan at 62. Third Dan just before turning 65. Feeling good, feeling proud. Sure, I wish I'd started this martial art when I was 16 instead of 56, but that's O.K. I've never felt fitter or stronger. Or more self-reliant. I'd recommend Taekwon-Do to anyone. At age 80 I had to write a brief summary of my life in Taekwon-do. Click here if you'd like to read it. Second Dan grading: I'd dislocated a toe earlier in the day, but when you're running on adrenalin, nothing stops you. email Dale Room 1 Room 2 Room 3 Room 4 Room 5 Room 6 Room 7 Room 8 Front Page Books Collage Work Dale