Jun.14.2010
Chief Instructor of Jung's Taekwondo School, Master Stokely Clarke, is this country’s latest Coach to earn International Certification under the World Taekwondo Federation – Khyung Hee University Coaches Programme in South Korea.
Under an initiative of the Trinidad and Tobago Taekwondo Association to have all Coaches Certified Internationally, thus placing them at the cutting edge of the Sport, Clarke went to the University for the One Month Course. Among the areas that inputted the Course were the Philosophy of Taekwondo; Competition Sparring and; Poomsae or Forms. Clarke is now the third Certified Coach, following in the steps of national team Coach, Colin Mofford and John Soverall, Coach of the Tobago Taekwondo School.
Clarke was among twelve (12) participants from the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Israel, Libya, Luxemburg, Poland, South Africa and the USA and describes the training as enlightening. Taekwondo originated in Korea and Clarke said prior to travelling there, he felt that the Koreans were the best Taekwondoins in the world because the sport originated in their country. Now that he had the chance to visit and train in the Asian country he realises that the dedication shown to the sport is the main reason for their success. “I now appreciate their whole approach to training. Their concept of the Taekwondo is different. They put everything into the sport they have given to the world. Athletes train three times a day: Before the sun rises, mid-morning and in the afternoon and that's the normal training schedule. Persons who are on the national team train four times a day, seven days a week. The attention to detail in my view is second to none. They leave no stone unturned. From the biggest to the smallest issue they pay particular attention and they apply science to get what they want.
Clarke, an eight time Caribbean heavy weight champion, said the Koreans’ philosophy of training is that the Coaches must be able to demonstrate whatever they want the athletes to do. “I had my own concept of what I thought a Coach was. In many sports in the Western world the coaches simply instruct and the athletes follow. But their philosophy is that if any athlete does not understand a move, the coach must be able to demonstrate. From day one it was both theoretical and practical. They put us through all the steps as though we were athletes too.”