International Tang Soo Do Federation (UK)

Aberdare Tang Soo Do

Pen - Y - Waun Community Centre

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Class Instructor: Mrs Sian Moran; Mrs Moran is a 2^nd Dan Black Belt.
Class Times: Sundays 6:00 - 7:30pm; Wednesdays 7:00 - 8:30pm

Tang Soo Do Features on S4C’s Wedi 3 Welsh Language Television Programme

The TV Film intro – Siân Moran Tang Soo Do Champion

Aberdare Tang Soo Do students and their instructor Mrs. Siân Moran recently featured on the Welsh language Wedi 3 programme. Filming took place at the Sgwd-Rhyd-yr-Hesg waterfall in the Neath Valley and then at the school’s dojang in the Penywaun Community Centre, Aberdare.

Having taken part in a sponsored lesson through the medium of Welsh earlier in the year, the Aberdare students were eagerly looking forward to appearing in the popular Welsh language lifestyle programme, presented live in the studio daily by Elinor Jones and John Hardy.

Thomas, Robert, Gareth and Morgan Abraham and Richard Morgan planned their own demonstrations and were joined by Sammy-Jo Jones from Sa Bom Nim Wynford Williams’ Llantrisant class.

Sammy Jo having some instruction

Richard Morgan demonstrating board breaking

Presenter Rhodri Darcy had great fun learning about the various aspects of Tang Soo Do. The students were filmed demonstrating a variety of techniques before Rhodri tried his hand at board breaking following some instruction.

Rhodri Darcy (preparing to try his hand at board breaking)

Everyone had great fun and really enjoyed showing off their skills, especially Mrs Moran who was asked by Rhodri to stand on a rock at the waterfall whilst performing some techniques.

Mrs Siân Moran at Sgwd Rhyd-yr Hesg

A few weeks after filming, the excited students were able to watch themselves on the programme which was shown on August 1st, to coincide with Mrs Siân Moran competing in the World championships in Orlando. Thanks to Rhodri, the cameraman Andrew Lewis and to the Tinopolis crew, the end result was 5 minutes of film in which everybody appeared and which was enjoyed very much by everyone!! Diolch yn fawr iawn!

Rhodri Darcy and Mrs Siân Moran at the end of filming

Tang Soo Do Yn Ymddangos Ar Raglen Deledu Wedi 3 S4C

Siân Moran Pencampwraig Tang Soo Do

Ymddangosodd disgyblion Ysgol Tang Soo Do Aberdâr a’u hyfforddwraig Mrs. Siân Moran ar raglen Wedi 3 S4C yn ddiweddar. Recordiwyd y ffilm fer mewn man bendigedig o flaen Sgwd Rhyd-yr-Hesg yng Nghwm Nedd ac yna yn y dosbarth yng Nghanolfan Cymunedol Penywaun ger Aberdâr.

Gan eu bod wedi cael eu noddi am gymryd rhan mewn gwers Cymraeg yn gynharach yn y flwyddyn, roedd y disgyblion yn ysu cael ymddangos ar y rhaglen poblogaidd sy’n cael ei chyflwyno’n fyw yn ddyddiol o’r stiwdio gan Elinor Jones a John Hardy.

Cynlluniodd Thomas, Robert, Morgan a Gareth Abraham a Richard Morgan eu perfformiadau eu hunain ac fe ddaeth Sammy-Jo Jones, un o ddisgyblion Sa Bom Nim Wynford Williams draw o Ysgol Llantrisant i ymuno â phawb.

Sammy Jo yn cael hyfforddiant

Richard Morgan yn dangos sut i chwalu bwrdd

Cafodd y cyflwynydd Rhodri Darcy hwyl mawr wrth ddysgu am agweddau Tang Soo Do. Ffilmiwyd y disgyblion yn perfformio nifer o dechnegau, cyn cafodd Rhodri ychydig o hyfforddiant er mwyn rhoi cynnig ei hunan ar chwalu bwrdd â’i law noeth.

Rhodri Darcy yn Paratoi i chwalu bwrdd

Cafwyd hwyl mawr a sbri gan bawb wrth iddynt ddangos eu sgiliau, yn enwedig Mrs Moran a ofynwyd gan Rhodri i berfformio rhai technegau tra’n sefyll ar graig o flaen y sgwd.

Mrs Siân Moran ger Sgwd Rhyd-yr Hesg

Ychydig wythnosau wedi’r ffilmio, roedd y disgyblion cynhyrfus wedi medru gwylio’r rhaglen a ddarlledwyd ar Awst y cyntaf, i gyd-ddigwydd â Mrs Siân Moran yn cystadlu ym Mhencampwriaeth y Byd yn Orlando.

Diolch i Rhodri, Andrew Lewis y dyn camera, ac i griw Tinopolis fe gynhyrchwyd ffilm o bum munud a lwyddwyd i gynnwys pob un ac a rhoddodd bleser a mwynhad mawr i bawb. Diolch yn fawr iawn!!

Rhodri Darcy and Mrs Siân Moran ar ddiwedd y ffilmio

Tang Soo Do Training on Aberavon Beach July 2008

Aberdare Tang Soo Do students had been eagerly looking forward to the Beach Training session at Aberavon on July 5^th.

However, the forecast of heavy rain and strong winds was not enough to put them off when given the option of cancelling the session. As one student pointed out, the last two articles of faith state “Never Retreat in Battle” and “Always Finish What You Start”, so we were going anyway, even if no one else turned up!

Mr Gareth Powell from Pyle Tang Soo Do was the only other brave (or mad?) student to accept the challenge and join Richard Morgan, Robert, Gareth and Morgan Abraham and Mrs Siân Moran to set off on a run and then warmed-up thoroughly on the deserted beach.

Just as Hyung practise started, the weather took a turn for the worst. Each student then had a battle with the elements and with themselves. Each had to dig deep and keep going against a 25 mph wind, heavy rain and even hail at one point. It was difficult to see, to maintain balance in back stances and to concentrate hard to avoid mistakes. It was challenging to say the least and more than a test of perseverance, endurance and character.

The rain stopped as Hyung came to an end and in time for the start of the AAA Challenge cup Competition. The aim of the competition was to test agility, awareness and acceleration. It had originally been open to those under 16 years, but under the circumstances, it was opened to all students and the length of the course extended. The eventual winner was 16 year old Robert Abraham.

Then came the best part – training in the sea! Amazingly the water was actually warm. Everyone enjoyed practising pahl poki, improving their kicks against and over the waves, Piggy-back fighting and doing sit ups and snorkel push ups so much that Mrs. Moran had to practically drag them all out of the water.

The students learned that it’s very different having to perform Tang Soo Do Techniques outside of the Do-Jang and that they have the inner strength to carry on when conditions get tough. In spite of the weather, they felt it had been an “awesome” experience. In fact, they enjoyed it so much that they want to do it again this summer.

Aberdare Tang Soo Do Instructor Siân Moran Wins Female Grand Champion.

Penywaun Students at TTFUK Tornament 2008

Congratulations to Aberdare Tang Soo Do Instructor Mrs. Siân Moran who became the Female Grand Champion at the 2008 Traditional Tang Soo Do International Championships.

Siân won the the hyung competition with a performance of Jinto hyung, before winning the weapons competition with Bong Yong Sam Dan and then also coming second in breaking.

Before the tournament, Siân been trying to get to grips with the one-legged stances and kicks in Jinto hyung. With other competitors performing much longer very different Chil Sung forms, Siân's aim in competing in the hyung competition was simply to focus and enjoy performing the form to the best of her ability and without falling over! She never thought she would even place in forms, let alone win.

Siân was later surprised to be told by 7th Dan Master Penny Mitchell of the American Tang Soo Do Association that had she had been impressed by her performance of Jinto. It's not often you get to perform in front of the highest ranking female Tang Soo Do Master in the World, and win. After becoming Female Grand Champion, receiving praiseworthy compliments from Master Mitchell made the day even more special.

More than Just Medals – The TTFUK International Championships 2008

Congratulations to all the students from Aberdare Tang Soo Do on their performance at the Traditional Tang Soo Do International Championships 2008 at NIAC in Cardiff on May 10^th.

The tournament was a great experience with some moving into new categories where they were up against some formidable opponents from the many British, American, German and Dutch based Tang Soo Do Federations and groups.

Richard Morgan won the Hyung competition for 12-14 year old green belts, with an impressive performance of Pyong Ahn O Dan.

Gareth Abraham battled his way through to the Sparring final for green belts aged 12-14. His gritty performance and determination saw him take 1st place over the much older Dutch semi-finalist who had eliminated Richard in the first round.

Morgan Abraham comprehensively won 1st place in the sparring for boys 9-11 yrs green belts and also did well to come 3rd in Hyung.

Not everyone can win in a tournament. However, I’m sure Robert and Thomas Abraham will tell you, it’s more important that you enjoy the day, do your best, learn from others and from your mistakes and show good Tang Soo Do Spirit. If you can manage this then you’ll take away from the experience something far more than just a medal!

Aberdare Tang Soo Do Students Help Defend the Welsh Language in Patagonia Argentina

Read more in your chosen language: English, Cymraeg, or Castellano

Penywaun Tang Soo Do Class ends 2007 on a high Note

Students from Penywaun Tang Soo Do class won 2 bronze and a silver medal in the recent Tang Soo Do Fight for Life charity tournament held in Bridgend Leisure centre. Competitors from Tang Soo Do and Tae Kwon do groups came from all over Britain to compete in order to raise money for Cancer Care and Asthma UK.

Richard Morgan and Gareth Abraham both competed in the same free sparring and forms (Hyung) category for green belt 6^th – 4^th gup boys aged 12-16 years. This was a very difficult category for them since over half of the competitors were aged 14, and over and twice their height. Richard was eliminated in the first round of the sparring by the eventual winner of the category. Gareth who was competing for the first time in this category and was the youngest of al the competitors won his first bout and then had to fight the 2 oldest competitors to reach a 3^rdrd place play off. Despite fighting hard, in both fights the effort of having 2 exhausting rounds in succession was just too much and he just missed out on a bronze. The standard in the hyung category was very high and the judge’s scores were very close, but Richard won 3^rd place with an excellent performance of Pyong Ahn Sa dan.

Morgan Abraham fought his way through a large group of 8-10 year old green belts to win second place, with some excellent kicking techniques. His 15-year-old Robert Abraham won 3^rd place in what was also a difficult free sparing category for his age group.

All students displayed excellent spirit and attitude and in spite of disappointments, enjoyed the competition knowing that they were raising money for 2 important causes.

Student of the Year 2007

Richard Morgan finished off 2007 on a high note. He successfully passed his promotion test at the beginning of December to be promoted to 4^th Gup. His attendance, overall attitude, and effort during the year was outstanding and combined with the help he gave to junior students without having to be asked, made him the worthy recipient of the Penywaun Student of the Year 2007. His 3^rd place performance of Pyong ahn Sa Dan hyung also won him the special Penywaun Tang Soo Do best performer in tournament hyung 2007, qualifying him for 2 months free lessons.

Gold at World Championships

Mrs Sian Moran (then 1st Dan) club instructor competed with great distinction at the 9th World Championships in Acapulco, Mexico. She beat off a very strong field to gain 2 Gold & 2 Silver medals in the 4 events that she entered. Master Hellings said:

"This is truly an exceptional feat and a great testament to the wonderful Chung Shin with which my student shows at all times. I am proud to have a student of this calibre."

Click here for Mrs Moran's report on the 2006 World Championships held in Mexico.