Kuk Sool Won of Dublin Martial Arts School Wins California Tournament Again!

The traditional Korean martial arts system of Kuk Sool Won is practiced globally and the Pacific Coast Tournament is held annually in Folsom, Sacramento under the auspices of the World Kuk Sool Association (WKSA).

Almost a thousand martial artists participated in the competition which aims to challenge its practitioners while sharing in the global identity of this comprehensive Korean system. Students displayed skills acquired over hours of dedicated practice while promoting good sportsmanship, cooperation and respect. Event categories included open hand and weapons forms.

Schools from across the Pacific Coast region were represented at the 2017 competition in addition to visiting practitioners from Canada. In Hyuk Suh, the Grandmaster, founder and president of the World Kuk Sool Association was present at the event to personally oversee the proceedings.

The competition is inclusive and students representing Kuk Sool Won of Dublin ranged in age from 4 to over 40 years and from white to black belt rankings.

The school also presented a number of candidates to be promoted to black belt at the tournament this year.

“This success can be attributed to the persistent hard work and commitment from all of our students,” said Master Saidi “I am very proud of each and every one of them.” He also acknowledged the contribution of all the parents who support the martial arts journeys of their children and who were present at the event to not only encourage their children but the school as well.

“Our school enjoys wonderful support from the community,’ he said “and we look forward to continuing our focus on excellence while growing and learning together.”

Master Saidi is passionate about teaching and thrives on seeing his students reach their full potential. He is one of only sixteen 6th Dahn Kuk Sool Won Masters in the world and has been practicing martial arts for over 35 years. He is renowned for his excellence in martial arts instruction and has been recognized at an international level.

Etiquette, respect and self-discipline are cornerstones of martial arts training and students are taught to develop and maintain a positive and disciplined attitude.

He encourages his students to participate in the Tournament as it challenges them and provides them with an opportunity to set specific training goals and overcome self-imposed limitations. Master Saidi says “All great learnings begin with a clear and calm mind.”

Martial arts instils a strong set of values and assists in developing a solid personal character allowing practitioners to persevere through life's tough obstacles.

Master Saidi emphasizes that winning medals is not the objective and he is proud of his students for participating in the event whether they win medals or not. Putting themselves through the rigors of the training process and pushing themselves out of their comfort zones makes them more well-rounded.

Master Saidi readily admits that a key strength of his school is that it is family oriented and that every student is like a family member to him. This tournament was of special significance to him as a father since his daughter, JKN Zamzam, participated for the first time. She was promoted to the rank of black belt at the end of last year.

Kuk Sool Won of Dublin was again presented with the Championship flag which they will keep for another year. Should the Dublin school win the competition three years in succession then they will retain the flag permanently - so that’s two down and one to go.