Area youth grows through experience with Tae kwon do
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Twelve-year-old Dylan Thorson, a seventh grade student at Fillmore Central, has dedicated himself to tae kwon do for four years and was awarded his black belt earlier this spring on March 3. He began taking classes four years ago and has found much success and has experienced a great deal of personal growth through the sport.
Tae kwon do is a martial art and combat sport that originated in Korea. It has become one of the most widely practiced martial arts in the world. Tae kwon do is loosely translated as “the way of the foot and hand.” As with many other martial arts, tae kwon do is a combination of combat technique, self-defense, sport, exercise, entertainment and philosophy.
Dylan began taking tae kwon do through community education classes at Fillmore Central. An instructor, Jerry Bartley, from Park Institute in Rochester, has been his instructor and has helped Thorson develop his skill and his confidence through leadership and mentorship.
Dylan, who is dyslexic, found that the precision of tae kwon do helped him to focus not only on his patterns and technique, but also on his schoolwork. “We learned to follow directions and keep on task,” he explained. “We have to work hard.”
Dylan said he enjoys the classes and now travels to Lanesboro to take an additional class each week. “It’s a lot of exercising and we get to do a lot of kicks,” Dylan said. “And I’ve made lots of friends in class.”
His black belt achievement came after being tested for 10 other belts, each with its own requirements.
According to the World Tae Kwon Do Federation, the grading in tae kwon do consists mainly of patterns, techniques and theory. The patterns are a display of punching and kicking techniques, and may also contain others such as breathing and stances. Theory is displayed verbally and expresses information on Korean words, vital information (such as vital points and rules) and a general understanding and knowledge of tae kwon do.
To achieve a new rank, certain patterns, theories and rules may be tested. To earn his black belt, Dylan was tested on things he learned for each of his past 10 belts.
Dylan’s mother, Sue, explained that it took him only a couple of months to get his first belt, a white belt. However, as he continued, it took longer to get each one as more is required from the student. “In the upper stages, it takes a year or so,” she added.
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