foxmc
White Belt
FTD, I am not posting to proclaim that you are incorrect in your opinions, nor that you are wrong in any of your thoughts or beliefs, as opinions, thoughts, and beliefs are not wrong, merely different in each individual. However, for the record, we are going to set some of the facts straight so that there is at least a FAIR representation of what exactly went on at this promotional test that you attended. This shall be a combination of the threads that you posted regarding these systems that I will be addressing.
First of all, Deflecting_The_Storm stated in another thread that you were only able to attend for about 10 minutes, yet you were able to view both the Baek Ho Kwan (White Tiger system, these would be the three guys that you were saying did quite well; the man who created his own system), as well as the Ten Jin Do evaluation. How is this possible? The Baek Ho Kwan test lasted over 2 hours, and the Ten Jin Do evaluation wasn't until after. If you saw this on video, then you had no opportunity to see first-hand what was going on. Secondly, there are some skewed statements regarding ages and ranks. First of all, Mr. Mayo, the "child black belt" of whom you spoke, is not 7 years old, he is 12. On top of that, you stated that he would've been testing for 2nd Degree had he not hurt his hand. Mr. Mayo has clearly stated upon many occasions that he will not test for 2nd degree until he has had the time and experience put in to earn such a degree. He was never going to be testing for 2nd degree when you said he was. There are time requirements for each belt besides the fact. Also, what kind of political belief is it that you cannot give a 12-year-old a black belt? He has endured training and dedication since he was 4 years old (that would make his total training about 8 years to all non-mathematical majors), and you are saying that you cannot award such a rank to such a young gentleman. That is, in essence, saying that he does not deserve the rank. Perhaps had you gotten to know him, you would see that the rank was not issued due as a factor of age, but as a factor of experience and maturity.
Regarding board breaking. In Tong Il Lo, board breaks are not used as a method of "movie star martial arts" as I like to call those who use it as a flashy effect. It is used as a gauge. A 10"x12" board of white pine #2, is a very close equivalent to the same amount of resistance as a rib of an adult male of around 140 pounds. It is used as a gauge of power and technique. In theory (which by the way, is what ALL self-defense is based upon), if you can break one of those boards, you should be capable of breaking a rib. 2 boards = 2 ribs, etc.
You also stated that the Ten Jin Do testee was fighting three assailants. Two brown belts from his own system and a third degree black belt. First of all, how did you know one of the brown belts was his wife from a video? I never recall him mentioning anything of that sort. A student is a student. Secondly, I'm sure the other gentleman is appreciative of your promoting him, but the black belt was a 2nd dan, not a 3rd. As far as the sparring goes, many questions are usually raised about why not "go for knockouts" if this is a self-defense test? Does the safety of your sparring partners, as well as yourself, not mean anything? Why would you want to maim someone who is your ally and is only helping you to demonstrate your style of self-defense?
You also mentioned in your "Politics, Belt Rankings, and Truth" thread that "no one is just going to stand there and let me throw them". This is quite an observation, as I'm sure some would never have thought of such a thing. The point of the exercise was to DEMONSTRATE the technique, not to demolish your opponent. Sure, any self defense needs realism, but with realism, every attack and every situation is different, is it not? An evaluation is simply meant to test that which has been learned at the current level, to decide whether or not a person may be promoted to the next level of learning. However, I agree that any technique should be effective whether standing or in motion.
Third, upon the definition of "Tong Il Lo". It is a korean phrase that, when translated, means "Path to Unity" or "Way of Unification". This is also the name of a bridge in Korea that unites two areas. Lo is not meant to be a chinese term added to a TKD form. It is called this because it unifies 5 different systems of martial arts to be Tong Il Lo. It is also called this because the core value is family and friendship, and it is about uniting people, not merely systems.
I have been training in TIL for ten years now, and I don't have any problem explaining any confusion about the way things are done, or why they are done. Explanation and understanding is the whole reason forums like these and many martial arts flourish these days. If you have any questions, just ask before assuming things, don't give others a false picture of what you could not understand or explain. Questions are a key to knowledge!
First of all, Deflecting_The_Storm stated in another thread that you were only able to attend for about 10 minutes, yet you were able to view both the Baek Ho Kwan (White Tiger system, these would be the three guys that you were saying did quite well; the man who created his own system), as well as the Ten Jin Do evaluation. How is this possible? The Baek Ho Kwan test lasted over 2 hours, and the Ten Jin Do evaluation wasn't until after. If you saw this on video, then you had no opportunity to see first-hand what was going on. Secondly, there are some skewed statements regarding ages and ranks. First of all, Mr. Mayo, the "child black belt" of whom you spoke, is not 7 years old, he is 12. On top of that, you stated that he would've been testing for 2nd Degree had he not hurt his hand. Mr. Mayo has clearly stated upon many occasions that he will not test for 2nd degree until he has had the time and experience put in to earn such a degree. He was never going to be testing for 2nd degree when you said he was. There are time requirements for each belt besides the fact. Also, what kind of political belief is it that you cannot give a 12-year-old a black belt? He has endured training and dedication since he was 4 years old (that would make his total training about 8 years to all non-mathematical majors), and you are saying that you cannot award such a rank to such a young gentleman. That is, in essence, saying that he does not deserve the rank. Perhaps had you gotten to know him, you would see that the rank was not issued due as a factor of age, but as a factor of experience and maturity.
Regarding board breaking. In Tong Il Lo, board breaks are not used as a method of "movie star martial arts" as I like to call those who use it as a flashy effect. It is used as a gauge. A 10"x12" board of white pine #2, is a very close equivalent to the same amount of resistance as a rib of an adult male of around 140 pounds. It is used as a gauge of power and technique. In theory (which by the way, is what ALL self-defense is based upon), if you can break one of those boards, you should be capable of breaking a rib. 2 boards = 2 ribs, etc.
You also stated that the Ten Jin Do testee was fighting three assailants. Two brown belts from his own system and a third degree black belt. First of all, how did you know one of the brown belts was his wife from a video? I never recall him mentioning anything of that sort. A student is a student. Secondly, I'm sure the other gentleman is appreciative of your promoting him, but the black belt was a 2nd dan, not a 3rd. As far as the sparring goes, many questions are usually raised about why not "go for knockouts" if this is a self-defense test? Does the safety of your sparring partners, as well as yourself, not mean anything? Why would you want to maim someone who is your ally and is only helping you to demonstrate your style of self-defense?
You also mentioned in your "Politics, Belt Rankings, and Truth" thread that "no one is just going to stand there and let me throw them". This is quite an observation, as I'm sure some would never have thought of such a thing. The point of the exercise was to DEMONSTRATE the technique, not to demolish your opponent. Sure, any self defense needs realism, but with realism, every attack and every situation is different, is it not? An evaluation is simply meant to test that which has been learned at the current level, to decide whether or not a person may be promoted to the next level of learning. However, I agree that any technique should be effective whether standing or in motion.
Third, upon the definition of "Tong Il Lo". It is a korean phrase that, when translated, means "Path to Unity" or "Way of Unification". This is also the name of a bridge in Korea that unites two areas. Lo is not meant to be a chinese term added to a TKD form. It is called this because it unifies 5 different systems of martial arts to be Tong Il Lo. It is also called this because the core value is family and friendship, and it is about uniting people, not merely systems.
I have been training in TIL for ten years now, and I don't have any problem explaining any confusion about the way things are done, or why they are done. Explanation and understanding is the whole reason forums like these and many martial arts flourish these days. If you have any questions, just ask before assuming things, don't give others a false picture of what you could not understand or explain. Questions are a key to knowledge!