Outstanding Dojangs

White Eagle ITF Dojang of Champions – Adelaide, Australia

Salisbury Downs, 5108, SA Tel: 0401 682 902 Fax: (08) 8303 7689 website: www.australink.pl

White Eagle ITF Dojang of Champions (WE-ITF) primary practice is the martial art of Taekwon-Do I.T.F. and the club aims to provide the community with self-defence, fitness and competition training. WE-ITF is a non-profit organisation that has been operating for over 15 years, whilst continuously maintaining a high success rate on state, national and international arenas. As a club WE-ITF has the highest rankings in Australia with a multitude of state, national, and Australasian champions. WE-ITF has been one of the most successful clubs when ITF competition is concerned with 100% success right of its students representing Australia on international arena (e.g. every student who represented Australia returned home at least with one medal). In 2000 Ben Gursansky won bronze medal in Asian Games in Kazakhstan. Joanna Kruk was the first Australian Junior World Champion she brought home a gold and two silver

medals from Argentina in 2002. Moreover, WE-ITF 5-member team returned from the World Championships in Korea (2004) with 5 gold, 3 silver and 4 bronze medals. Additionally, Joanna Kruk was awarded the best overall female competitor of the championship. In 2007, 3 members of the club who represented Australia at the World Championships in Birmingham, England returned home with medals (Taso Kollis - gold, Beda Iten – gold and bronze, and Mimi Duong – 2 gold, 1 silver and 3 bronze).

The WE-ITF was founded in 1993 by Dr Zibby Kruk an ITF instructor who migrated to Australia from Poland. The club initiated its activity in the Burton Community House in November 1993. With only 3 students at the beginning, 10 years later the club has become a great success and a great contribution not only to the community in Salisbury but also has marked Adelaide permanently on a national and international arena.

WE-ITF club members come from all walks of life, range between 6 to 55 years of age and train in 2 different age groups (Children and adults). They learn not only the art of Taekwon-Do ITF but also improve their fitness, flexibility, ability to jump, discipline, concentration, self-confidence and learn self-defence techniques. They are a part of a successful group and gain confidence and learn responsibility when acting together as a one team. Currently WE-ITF sized its activity due to it’s instructor travel to Korea and the members have been continuing their training in the Australian Institute of Taekwon-Do managed by Mr Noel Keating 6 Dan ITF.

The best way to learn about the diversity of activities of the WE-ITF is to look through some random club news over the years:

1. White Eagle ITF puts its foot on the top of Kilimanjaro Our Club member Joanna Kruk recently returned from Africa where she successfully climed Mt

Kilimanjaro! Taekwon-Do training as well as indomitable spirit allowed Joanna to get to the top

using the most difficult path, which had been closed for 5 years. She was the first female

conquering Kilimanjaro via this route since it was closed. She really enjoyed her experience, and

consequently the White Eagle flag may also appear on the top of other world peaks in the near

future.

2. Holiday class with non-English speaking background students

We have been invited by the Youth Health and Information Service to conduct an introductory

self-defence class for young boys & girls from Salisbury area. The feedback provided by Helen

Gouthas, the community worker

running this program, was that “it was

one of the most successful activities of

the whole program. The level of

participation, which was 100% for the

duration of the session (despite being

offered an alternative activity as well), the enthusiasm and enjoyment that was displayed, and

the comments that we received

during and after the session all

indicate that it was conducted and

received very, very well.” Zibby and

Joanna Kruk who conducted the

training enjoyed watching these

young people having fun, and many

of the participants were naturally talented and performed techniques well.

3. Club demonstration at “Living Loud”

Great words of thank-you to all parents and students for your participation in Salisbury “Living Loud”

Festival. It was great

performance by our children

and adult groups in spite of

the fact that we did not spend

a lot of time to practice the

program. Also congratulations

to all of you for quickly

adopting to changes during

demonstration. The loud music

made it that the students could not hear our instructor’s commands, but the students quickly

followed and performed in a synchronised manned when Zibby gave signs with his hands

instead of voice. Very well done, we know that our students are smart. Keep up the good work!

4. White Eagles soared high at the Worlds in England All 3 members of our club who represented Australia at the World Championships in Taekwon-

Do ITF in Birmingham, returned home with medals. Taso Kollis won a gold medal in team

male special techniques by smashing a board with a flying side kick (3.15m long distance), and

was just out of the medals

in individual special

techniques and sparring.

Beda Iten has done a

fantastic job in individual

2nd degree pattern category

winning a bronze medal.

He also took gold in male

team special techniques,

successfully performing a

jumping turning kick at

2.5m high. The most

successful competitor from our club was Mimi Duong. She brought home 2 gold, 1 silver and 3

bronze medals. Individually, she took gold in sparring in light weight division, silver medal in 1st

degree patterns, and bronze in individual female special techniques. Mimi also won another gold

medal and 2 bronze in team events: special techniques, power breaking and sparring,

respectively. Mimi just missed out of the Best Overall female competitor award. This fantastic

performance of our members at the World championships is not a coincidence. The White Eagle

club has very good reputation and a track record of 100% success rate at World Championships.

We have many very dedicated and skilful students and we hope that this tradition will continue

in the future.

There were 2 other club members representing our country at the Worlds. Mr Adam

Dabrowski worked tirelessly officiating competition as an international umpire and Dr Zibby

Kruk - the White Eagle chief instructor, who coached Australian national team. Congratulations

to all competitors, coach and umpire as well as to all club members and supporters who helped

as training partners and organizers of fund raising events.

5. National Championships in Adelaide – Club results

This year the United ITF National Championships was held in Adelaide on Sunday the 7th of

October. An 11 member team from our club performed extremely well. In spite of the fact that

not all members were awarded a medal, everyone on the team presented a very high standard.

Words of thanks should go to Mimi Duong, Rado Guzinski and

Taso Kollis, who took very good care of our competitors when

our instructor was engaged in officiating the tournament. Also

we appreciate the strong support of parents and family

members who stayed entire day, cheering-on our students.

Results: Mimi Duong – 1st place in power, sparring & patterns

as well as best overall female award, Jacob Kanikula – 1st in

sparring and patterns, 2nd in special techniques, Patric Zych –

1st in sparring & patterns, 2nd in special techniques, Emily

Rutkowski – 3rd in patterns, Philip Uroda – 2nd in sparring, Rado

Guzinski – 2nd in sparring, Tyson Horne – 1st in special

techniques, Samuel Kollis – 2nd in special techniques, Sotos Vassiliou – 2nd in patterns & sparring,

Savvas Vassiliou – 3rd in patterns. CONGRATULATIONS!!! to all our members for their

exceptional performance and we are looking forward for the next competition.

6. Mr. Taso Kollis a first home made 4Th Dan

It is my great pleasure to announce that Mr. Taso Kollis who has

been with our club almost since its beginning (1993) was

awarded a 4th Degree black belt after a very demanding and

exhaustive day of competition, worlds selection and grading. Mr.

Kollis was graded by Master Galarraga, an 8th Dan in Taekwon-do

ITF from Argentina who came to Australia to conduct

international umpiring seminars. Taso not only completed his

grading successfully but also received his qualifications as an

international umpire, won his sparring division and got qualified for the 2007 world

championships in England. Congratulations on such a wonderful performance. (Picture 1: Mr.

Kollis, Master Galarraga and Dr Zibby Kruk after the successful grading.)

7. End of the year celebration

The end of the year celebration included handing out grading results and certificates, summarizing of the entire year’s activities, pizza party and a DVD presentation from the World Championships. Moreover, every student had a chance to draw presents, which were brought in from Korea by our instructor, Dr Kruk.

8. Ben & Jo wedding One of our members, Ben Gursansky, 1st degree black belt has

tightened his vowels with Jo Pride on the 9th of January this year.

Ben has been a member of White Eagle ITF since 1996 and after

completing his PhD he worked in Canberra. The wedding was an

exceptional ceremony and we wish Ben and Jo all the best in

their life together as a couple.

Another piece of good news is that Ben has just received a job in

Adelaide and will continue trainings in our club. Ben was a

candidate for the team to represent Australia at last years World

Championships in Korea however, due to his work commitments

and completion of PhD he could not prepare for the Worlds.

9. December Grading

My congratulations go to all participants of the last grading in 2005. All juniors and seniors have

done very well and were successfully promoted to higher ranks. Special congratulations go to

Milena Czyz and Olivia Lee for their fantastic performance which allowed them to be promoted

two ranks up.

10. Team preparation for World Championships in Korea

Our 9-member team has begun preparation for the forthcoming Junior & Senior World Championships which will be held in Daejeon, South Korea between the 14-19 October. The team is training 6-7 times per week. Other club members who enjoy competition and wish to also take part in some additional training sessions can arrange it individually with the instructor. The team consists of the following members: Zibby Kruk (coach), Adam Dabrowski (Referee) and competitors: Taso Kollis, Rebecca Kollis, Joanna Kruk, Thomas Vuong, Leanne Vuong, Lukasz Dziedziczak & Ben Gursansky. More information will follow soon.

11. Practice power breaking

One part in preparation for black belt competition and testing is practice of power breaking

which can be practiced only by adults. It is a very long and very demanding process and if not

correctly done can cause an injury or pain. The photos below demonstrate Miss Leanne Vuong

during and after her successful attempt in board breaking using knife-hand.

DURING BREAKING AFTER BREAKING

Hmmmm, let me try.???

Hooray, it was easy!!!

I am just curious why

my hand is getting

bigger???